Founded by whisky aficionado Andrew Soetiono — affectionately known in the community as ‘Whiskyhobo’—the Jakarta branch of the famed Speyside bar now occupies the top floor of the Bosch Home Experience Center on Wijaya I, framed by a near-360 view of the city.
Despite its new setting, the hideaway bar continues to serve as a welcoming ground for the city’s whisky enthusiasts, disarming guests with its characteristically laid-back charm. “Even though the whisky boom has quieted down in recent years, there still needs to be a place for the community in the city. And the thing about Highlander Inn is, it has always been a lighthouse for whisky lovers wherever it is—it’s the first place they’d go when they find themselves in another country and aren’t sure where to start,” shared Andrew.
The larger space, still styled after a British pub in tribute to its Speyside origins, now houses an estimated 450 bottles — not only whisky, but also rum, Armagnac, and Calvados — all proudly on display. Here, enthusiasts will also find reading materials like Emmanuel Dron’s illustrated Collecting Scotch Whisky encyclopedia, adding to the sense of discovery. It speaks to the bar’s ambition to be more than just a place to sample fine whiskies, but “a library and archive where people can deepen their understanding of whisky,” noted Head Bartender Agung Ananta.
Community events have also become more frequent at the new space. These include special takeovers where visiting distillers introduce their whiskies to an eager crowd—fielding questions about cask types, ageing methods, and ingredients—and even a Scottish cultural night, complete with a bagpipe performance.
Still, the true draw of the new Highlander Inn lies in the breadth of its whisky collection. Many of the bottles come from Andrew’s connections and his own hunts through vintage shops in Japan. Among the rare finds is the 1970 Glen Grant—aged 31 years in fine sherry wood that imparts a chocolate-like richness, and bottled in 2001 by the famed Italian independent bottler Silvano Samaroli. The whisky reveals notes of dark fruits, with a nose of dried apricots, dark berries, and a hint of old wood.
For a deeper exploration, the whisky hideout also serves the spirit in seasonal ‘flights’, offering a tasting menu-like experience. A current popular pick is The Class of ’95, which brings together four coveted bottles distilled in 1995: Adelphi Glen Elgin, Highlander Inn Fettercairn, V&M Tobermory, and Signatory Vintage Caol Ila. Together, they showcase the distinct characters of Scotland’s whisky regions, from Speyside’s fruitiness to Islay’s signature smokiness.
