Evening Express Newspaper January 2006
Dispensing Drams in Japan and Going on Safari Adventure in Africa
Mark Watt has the sort of job others envy ... especially whisky fans. For Mark, 25, is a sales executive for Duncan Taylor, an independent Scottish whisky bottler with one of the largest privately-held collections of rare Scotch whisky casks. The company distributes whisky all over the world from its shop and bottling plant in Huntly. Part of Mark's job is travelling the world hosting tasting sessions. You could say it's a job tailor-made for him .... he was born within the grounds of the Macallan distillery and now lives in a house at Inchgower Distillery near Buckie. He's already visited Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain and Sweden and hopes to visit Russia and America soon. With expert knowledge of hundreds of whiskies at his fingertips, he's very often asked to name his favourite dram. He says it's impossible to say. Each has a different flavour, and Mark's current favourite depends on his mood at the time.
Favourite place in the world
Osaka in Japan. In Japan, running a bar is seen as a profession to be proud of, a real status symbol. I've been lucky enough to be invited there for two weeks each year to run a whisky bar called The Harbour Inn. Everyone is helpful, kind and friendly and although it's a built-up city, it is very clean. While I'm there I am always treated like a celebrity
Favourite hotel
It's the Craigellachie Hotel in Craigellachie on Speyside. It stocks more than 700 single malts in the bar. It's a perfect place to sit back and relax with a dram and watch the world go by. The hotel has been beautifully refurbished but retains all the original charm of a lovely Scottish country house. The food is also exceptional.
Favourite place in Scotland
Apart from the sample room at Duncan Taylor I would say it would be the Island of Noss on Shetland. I used to have many great times there as a kid.
Favourite restaurant in Scotland
The Mussell Inn, in Edinburgh's Rose Street.
I discovered it while I was a student at Napier University, Edinburgh.
It is very earthy and informal and the main options are mussels and oysters.
It has a busy, bustling atmosphere and very reasonable prices.
My favourite dish is naturally, mussels.
Holiday companion
I would take the singer Dido. She's good to look at and I imagine she would be a laugh too. If she couldn't make it I'd as comedian Peter Kay as I think he's hilarious. I have lots of his DVDs and they always make me laugh, no matter how many times I watch them.
Five things I'd take on a paradise island
1 A cask of well aged malt whisky.
2 A radio to listen to the football.
3 My mobile phone (on silent) so I could keep in touch with people.
4 A pack of playing cards.
5 The Harry Potter series of books, as I might finally read them and see what the hype is all about.
Before I die I'd like to visit ...
I would like to go on safari in Kenya. When my late father was a soldier he was posted to Kenya and always spoke about it fondly. I'd like to re-trace his footsteps. I'm especially keen to see the capital, Nairobi.
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