Japanese-inspired Whisky: From Whispered Legend to Front-of-Shelf Hero. Glengoyne Mizunara Japanese Oak Whisky.

There’s something utterly magnetic about Japanese whisky, a blend of precision, elegance, and subtle rebellion that’s captured bar crowd imaginations and collector cabinets alike. This isn't your grandfather's Scotch; it’s experimentation meets craftsmanship, a nod to tradition wrapped in minimalism.

Take Shirakawa 1958, the whisky equivalent of uncovering a lost civilization. This single malt, released through a collaboration between Tomatin and Takara Shuzo, is believed to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever bottled and the only single malt ever released from a now-demolished distillery The story behind its discovery alone has more intrigue than a spy novel. At the palate, it’s said to balance waxy oak, incense, tropical fruits, and candied orange, all wrapped up in vibrant maturity, not just a dram, but a time machine in liquid form. 

Earlier this year, we hosted a tasting of Shirakawa 1958, a once-in-a-lifetime whisky experience. This wasn’t just another bottle; this was the earliest single vintage Japanese single malt ever bottled, and the only official release from a now-lost distillery. A ghost malt, resurrected in partnership with Tomatin and Takara Shuzo. Just 1,500 bottles exist globally, and our guests got to taste history.

The event was a masterclass in rarity and reverence. But we weren’t done there. Fast forward to this summer, and another special whisky has taken centre stage. 

There’s something about Japanese-inspired whisky that feels… different. Not louder. Not bolder. Just more composed. More measured. It’s whisky that speaks in low tones and long silences, full of intent. A style that’s gone from cult curiosity to centre stage, and at Robert Graham 1874, we’ve been pouring the good stuff long before it became mainstream.

Enter the Glengoyne Mizunara: When Highland Spirit Meets Japanese Soul

Fast forward to today, and you're about to find something equally spectacular: Glengoyne Mizunara Oak, launching into our stores and online on the 1st August 2025 (available further afield from 13th Aug). This isn’t another gimmicky finish. It’s a high-concept love letter to craftsmanship, Glengoyne’s unhurried Highland distillate matured initially in sherry casks, then finished in rare Mizunara oak. The result? A sensory journey blending toffee, sandalwood, and incense on the nose, folding into coconut, spices, and crisp apple on the palate, with a long, sweet finish that lingers like a whispered secret. Don’t just take our word for it -  whiskymag.com showcases it too. 

That 53.4% ABV? It’s nicely assertive, not afraid to flex, but still retains the refined elegance Glengoyne is known for. Expect velvety texture, layers of hazelnut, coconut, lime, spiced apple, chocolate truffle, baked banana, crisp oak, all fused into a long, nutty finale. This dram isn’t mass-market; it's for the flavour chasers, the wood geeks, those who crave stories in their pour. 

We gave this showstopper its public debut at our Meet the Makers event, and the buzz hasn’t stopped since. This is Glengoyne’s boldest experiment yet: a Highland single malt, matured in traditional sherry casks and finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak. The result is a fusion of east and west,  a whisky that retains Glengoyne’s signature elegance but adds spice, texture and unmistakable Japanese flair.

At 53.4% ABV, it doesn’t pull punches. The nose opens with toffee apple, sandalwood and subtle incense. On the palate? Coconut, warming spice, crisp apple and lime zest, carried on a silky mouthfeel that leads to a long, nutty finish: hazelnut, chocolate truffle, baked banana and dry oak.

"Silk on the palate, spice on the finish – a dram that whispers Japan and sings Scotland." Stephen Johnstone Managing Director and owner of Robert Graham 1874

This is whisky you don’t just sip, you study. And maybe fall in love with.

Critics are already taking notice, and with quantities limited, this is one for the radar of collectors and flavour hunters alike.

Available Now, But Not for Long

We’re excited to say that Glengoyne Mizunara is now available both in-store and online across our Robert Graham 1874 locations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cambridge.

Japanese oak. Highland heart. A whisky that walks the line between tradition and innovation and does it flawlessly.

This isn’t one to sit on. Bottles are limited, and demand is already high.

Come taste the evolution.