～Mizunara Cask Wins the Long-Awaited Gold Award!～
Migita Honten Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture), the oldest sake brewery in Shimane Prefecture, is pleased to announce that its Shimane Prefecture-exclusive whisky, “Migita Blended Whisky Mizunara Cask,” has received its long-awaited first-ever Gold Award at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions held in the United Kingdom.
Selected through a rigorous judging process by renowned specialists from among thousands of entries from more than 70 countries around the world, this honor marks Migita Honten’s third consecutive year of winning a Gold Award.
■A Long-Awaited Victory: “We Finally Won Gold!”
“Migita Blended Whisky Mizunara Cask” has continued to take on numerous international competitions and has been recognized for its quality.
Having come just one step short of receiving the Gold Award in the past, it has finally achieved Gold at ISC 2026.
The noble aroma reminiscent of sandalwood derived from Japan’s distinctive Mizunara oak casks, combined with the sake-brewing expertise cultivated since the company’s founding in 1602, has finally been recognized by the world as a quality worthy of Gold.
“Next time, we will surely win Gold.”
This is the moment when our belief and dedication to whisky-making finally took shape.
■Gold Award for the Third Consecutive Year
For Migita Honten, this marks the third consecutive year of winning a Gold Award at ISC (in 2024 and 2025, Migita Whisky Bourbon Style received the award).
We are delighted that our continued challenge in whisky-making, while preserving the tradition of sake, has been recognized not as a passing achievement, but as proof of a quality that meets global standards.
■Award-Winning Lineup
At ISC 2026, a total of four products received honors, led by Mizunara Cask, which won Gold.
★Gold
Migita Blended Whisky Mizunara Cask
Finished using rare Mizunara oak casks, this whisky offers an elegant sweetness and a refined bitter taste.
★Silver
Migita Blended Whisky Bourbon Style
Migita Pure Malt Whisky Standard
Migita Pure Malt Whisky Premium
■About ISC
ISC is known as one of the “world’s three major spirits competitions” and is said to be one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, held annually in London and organized by Drinks International, a UK-based specialist publisher for the alcoholic beverage industry.
Divided into categories such as whisky, rum, brandy, and liqueurs, the competition conducts rigorous judging through blind tastings by renowned experts, with awards presented in each category.
In the whisky category, the judging is carried out by whisky specialists from around the world, including master blenders and distillery managers from whisky distilleries, making it a competition highly regarded worldwide.
■Long-Awaited New Product: Migita Highball
A new challenge from Migita Honten, the oldest sake brewery in Shimane Prefecture.
Born from the desire to let more people enjoy the taste of Migita more casually, the long-awaited canned highball has arrived.
It can be enjoyed with ease in a variety of everyday settings, from relaxing at home to outdoor activities.
・Migita Highball Standard
A highball with a light drinking feel, refreshing finish, and a mellow, well-balanced taste.
・Migita Highball Bourbon Style
A pleasant lingering finish where sweetness and aroma are beautifully balanced. A highball that brings a touch of luxury to any moment.
Start with just one sip.
Please enjoy its refreshing smoothness with ease.
■The Challenge of Migita Honten, the Oldest Sake Brewery in Shimane Prefecture, the Birthplace of Sake
Migita Honten began brewing sake in Masuda, inspired by the clear spring water and fertile natural environment of Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture.
For more than 400 years, the brewery has continued its craft without interruption, producing alcoholic beverages with a strong focus on quality and tradition.
While preserving tradition, we continue to take on new challenges, striving to create products that make people say “delicious” when they taste them.
We will continue to make alcoholic beverages that can only be made in Shimane Prefecture, in order to further energize the region.
And to contribute to the further development of Shimane Prefecture, we will devote ourselves to sake and spirits production with even greater passion.
■Enjoy a World-Recognized Glass Here in Shimane
Migita Honten’s whisky is available only within Shimane Prefecture.
This is because we have a strong desire to support and revitalize Shimane.
Historic landmarks, rich natural scenery, and warm-hearted people.
We believe that travelling through Shimane and enjoying this whisky in its local atmosphere will become a truly exceptional experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
“Let’s go to Shimane to drink this whisky!”
With the hope of becoming a proud glass that adds color to the region and inspires such thoughts,
we look forward to welcoming you to Shimane together with our world-recognized whisky.
■Company Overview
Company Name: Migita Honten Co., Ltd.
Representative: Takashi Migita
Location: 3-30 Honmachi, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture
Established: 1602
Website: https://migitahonten.com/
◆Product Inquiries
Please contact us by email at Mail（info@migitahonten.co.jp）.