Leading Figure in the Whisky World, Kazunori Shizutani, CEO of Royal Mile Co., Ltd., Appointed as Advisor to the Highball Culture Promotion Association
Kazunori Shizutani, CEO of Royal Mile Co., Ltd. and a leading figure in the whisky world, has been appointed as an advisor to the Highball Culture Promotion Association. The aim is to popularize whisky culture and create new markets through highballs, with an inauguration party scheduled for June 3, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 10:02 (30 min after Collected)
Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Royal Mile Co., Ltd., which operates three directly managed bars in Shinjuku, Tokyo, develops its original glass brand "Saki Glass Series," engages in distillery business, and expands whisky salons through franchising, is dedicated to promoting whisky culture and creating new markets. We are pleased to announce that our representative, Kazunori Shizutani, has been appointed as an advisor to the "Highball Culture Promotion Association." In commemoration of this appointment, a party will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2026.
Background of Appointment
In recent years, while the whisky market has once again attracted attention both domestically and internationally, its enjoyment tends to remain within a limited circle of enthusiasts, leaving challenges in expanding it as a "culture to be enjoyed daily." Especially for younger generations and light users, whisky is still often perceived as a complex and high-barrier luxury item.
On the other hand, highballs, with their lightness and high degree of freedom, have become widely popular as an entry point to whisky, broadening the scope of drinking occasions. In this trend, there is a demand for initiatives that merge "specialized whisky culture" with "open highball culture" to deliver the depth of whisky to more people.
Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd., believes that "the highball culture, which has developed uniquely in Japan, has now become synonymous with toasts and is an entry point to whisky culture." He has been working to expand the reach of whisky culture through bar management, glass development, franchise expansion, distillery business, and the development of original whisky-based cocktails (uniquely defined as "Whisktails").
These business activities strongly resonate with the vision of the Highball Culture Promotion Association, which advocates "An ordinary drink, an infinite opportunity."
With Kazunori Shizutani joining as an advisor, we will merge the deep value of whisky, backed by expertise, with the highball culture that anyone can enjoy, creating a culture that is more open to society.
About Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Kazunori Shizutani is an owner-bartender who obtained the "Master of Whisky" certification, the most difficult qualification recognized by the Whisky Culture Institute, in 2019 at the youngest age ever (at the time of acquisition).
His activities are diverse, including the development of the original glass brand "Saki Glass Series" that maximizes the potential of whisky, serving as an official taster for "Whisky Galore" magazine, and appearing in media such as BS Fuji's "Whisky Pedia."
Furthermore, he participates as a director and master blender at the "Taiki Cosmic Glen Distillery" in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido, challenging himself to produce whisky and gin utilizing local ingredients.
On social media, he has over 1.2 million followers as "Bartender Shizutanien," continuously expanding the reach of whisky culture.
■ Current and Public Positions
Directly managed stores: "BAR LIVET," "BAR Shinjuku Whisky Salon," "BAR TOKYO BOURBON CLUB," "BAR LAST WORD" (scheduled to open in June 2026)
Industry organizations: Vice Director of Technical Guidance, Tokyo Branch, Nippon Bartenders Association (N.B.A.) / Councilor, Japan Whisky Culture Revival Association
Official duties: Official Taster for Whisky Galore / Judge and Chairman for Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)
Production and Management: Producer of Saki Glass Series / Director of Taiki Cosmic Glen Distillery / Whisky Salon Franchise Headquarters
About the Highball Culture Promotion Association
The Highball Culture Promotion Association, with its Mission "An ordinary drink, an infinite opportunity," aims to create new enjoyment for people and society through the lightness, diversity, and playfulness of highballs. We continue our activities, valuing three core values: enjoying oneself, opening up to society through toasts, and harmonizing the richness of life and society.
Comment from Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Highball is one of the most open entry points to the culture of whisky. I believe it is a light cocktail that anyone can naturally pick up.
On the other hand, whisky is also an extremely profound liquor, built upon a long accumulation of distillation, aging, and blending, and the philosophy of its makers. Through my involvement in manufacturing at distilleries, product development, and serving at the front lines, I have continuously thought about how to spread its value to society and pass it on to the next generation.
Royal Mile Co., Ltd., which operates three directly managed bars in Shinjuku, Tokyo, develops its original glass brand "Saki Glass Series," engages in distillery business, and expands whisky salons through franchising, is dedicated to promoting whisky culture and creating new markets. We are pleased to announce that our representative, Kazunori Shizutani, has been appointed as an advisor to the "Highball Culture Promotion Association." In commemoration of this appointment, a party will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2026.
Background of Appointment
In recent years, while the whisky market has once again attracted attention both domestically and internationally, its enjoyment tends to remain within a limited circle of enthusiasts, leaving challenges in expanding it as a "culture to be enjoyed daily." Especially for younger generations and light users, whisky is still often perceived as a complex and high-barrier luxury item.
On the other hand, highballs, with their lightness and high degree of freedom, have become widely popular as an entry point to whisky, broadening the scope of drinking occasions. In this trend, there is a demand for initiatives that merge "specialized whisky culture" with "open highball culture" to deliver the depth of whisky to more people.
Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd., believes that "the highball culture, which has developed uniquely in Japan, has now become synonymous with toasts and is an entry point to whisky culture." He has been working to expand the reach of whisky culture through bar management, glass development, franchise expansion, distillery business, and the development of original whisky-based cocktails (uniquely defined as "Whisktails").
These business activities strongly resonate with the vision of the Highball Culture Promotion Association, which advocates "An ordinary drink, an infinite opportunity."
With Kazunori Shizutani joining as an advisor, we will merge the deep value of whisky, backed by expertise, with the highball culture that anyone can enjoy, creating a culture that is more open to society.
About Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Kazunori Shizutani is an owner-bartender who obtained the "Master of Whisky" certification, the most difficult qualification recognized by the Whisky Culture Institute, in 2019 at the youngest age ever (at the time of acquisition).
His activities are diverse, including the development of the original glass brand "Saki Glass Series" that maximizes the potential of whisky, serving as an official taster for "Whisky Galore" magazine, and appearing in media such as BS Fuji's "Whisky Pedia."
Furthermore, he participates as a director and master blender at the "Taiki Cosmic Glen Distillery" in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido, challenging himself to produce whisky and gin utilizing local ingredients.
On social media, he has over 1.2 million followers as "Bartender Shizutanien," continuously expanding the reach of whisky culture.
■ Current and Public Positions
Directly managed stores: "BAR LIVET," "BAR Shinjuku Whisky Salon," "BAR TOKYO BOURBON CLUB," "BAR LAST WORD" (scheduled to open in June 2026)
Industry organizations: Vice Director of Technical Guidance, Tokyo Branch, Nippon Bartenders Association (N.B.A.) / Councilor, Japan Whisky Culture Revival Association
Official duties: Official Taster for Whisky Galore / Judge and Chairman for Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC)
Production and Management: Producer of Saki Glass Series / Director of Taiki Cosmic Glen Distillery / Whisky Salon Franchise Headquarters
About the Highball Culture Promotion Association
The Highball Culture Promotion Association, with its Mission "An ordinary drink, an infinite opportunity," aims to create new enjoyment for people and society through the lightness, diversity, and playfulness of highballs. We continue our activities, valuing three core values: enjoying oneself, opening up to society through toasts, and harmonizing the richness of life and society.
Comment from Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Kazunori Shizutani, Representative Director of Royal Mile Co., Ltd.
Highball is one of the most open entry points to the culture of whisky. I believe it is a light cocktail that anyone can naturally pick up.
On the other hand, whisky is also an extremely profound liquor, built upon a long accumulation of distillation, aging, and blending, and the philosophy of its makers. Through my involvement in manufacturing at distilleries, product development, and serving at the front lines, I have continuously thought about how to spread its value to society and pass it on to the next generation.