Highball cans have been gaining popularity in recent years, and JWD staff recommends the following highball cans.
Whisky is low in purine and sugar, making it a good choice for those who want to enjoy a drink while being mindful of their health. We introduce such highball cans that are more affordable, can be drunk at home, and have an authentic taste.
*Only Japanese manufacturers are introduced.
1. Suntory
1-1. Kaku Highball Can
This is the most consumed highball can in Japan. 
Unlike the highballs usually consumed at bars, the main ingredient is the same, but lemon spirits are used in the highball can. It reproduces the taste of a highball mug with lemon that you would drink at an izakaya (Japanese style bar), and is a perfect match with izakaya meishi (Japanese style bar food). Personally, I recommend the “darker” version, which also has a strong flavor.
1-2. Premium Highball Yamazaki〈Gorgeous and rich flavor〉
Yamazaki distillery is the first distillery in Japan and has been in operation for 100 years. Suntory’s Premium Highball can” was produced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japanese Whisky.
Only Yamazaki’s original Whisky suitable for highballs is used, and Spanish oak barrels are used for accentuation to give it a gorgeous and thick taste.
1-3. Hakushu Highball Can
Hakushu Highball has become famous under the name “Mori Kaoru Highball” and is quite popular in Japan.
It is characterized by the fresh aroma and soft smokiness that are the hallmarks of Hakushu distillery’s original sake. With a little extra effort, you can enjoy a more refreshing flavor and taste by chilling the can well, filling a chilled glass with ice, and placing a piece of mint on top with a dab of mint. Yamazaki is discontinued on the official website, but Hakushu is not listed, so it may be available again.
2. Nikka Whisky
2-1. Black Nikka Clear Highball
Black Nikka Clear and Wilkinson, which has over 100 years of history in Japan and popularized the name Tanzan. These two are combined to create a crisp, refreshing highball. Recommended for those who don’t like the lemon flavor of Kaku or those who want a stronger and more refreshing taste of Tansan.
2-2. Black Nikka Highball Aromatic Night
This is a special Black Nikka Highball can sold only in Hokkaido.
As the name suggests, it has a sweet, gorgeous, and soft aroma that is perfect for relaxing at night. It is sold only in Hokkaido, but can be purchased at liquor stores nationwide and online.
3. Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery
3-1. Smoky Highball at Saburomaru Distillery
Japan’s first smoky highball. It is made with only Whisky and soda, with no sugar, flavoring, or coloring.
The peaty aroma is especially noticeable in this easy-to-drink highball can, as expected from the Saburomaru Distillery. It has a sharp taste, and the aroma and flavor are even sharper when poured gently over ice into a well-chilled glass.
4. sakurao b&d sakurao distillery
This distillery uses sake from the Sakurao Distillery in Hiroshima Prefecture. The distillery’s “Togouchi Matured House” is located in a disused tunnel owned by the distillery. The name “Togouchi” has been used for blended Whisky for a long time, and this is its highball can. The flavor is soft, with a freshness characteristic of Togouchi, a taste derived from grain, and vanilla.
5. kizakura Whisky Premium Highball
A blended malt highball of malt whisky and Scotch whisky distilled and aged at the Kizakura Tanba Distillery. This authentic highball uses only malt whisky and carbonation.
Honey and vanilla cream nuances and fruits. It is different from the usual Yellow Cherry single malt in impression, but it is a luxurious highball can using only malt.
6. kiuchi Shuzo
6-1. Hitachino Highball
This highball is made from only the original sake brewed and distilled at the Kiuchi Shuzo brewery in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is characterized by the taste of barley and woody aroma derived from sherry and oak, and has a rich flavor that can be enjoyed slowly over a long period of time. It has a rich flavor that can be enjoyed slowly over a long period of time. It gives the impression of being for people who are used to drinking a little. There is also an assortment set with the famous Hitachino Beer.
７．Kirin Fuji Gotemba Distillery
7-1. Kirin Whisky Riku Highball
Kirin Riku Highball is available in limited quantities.
At 7% alcohol by volume, it may seem low compared to other distilleries, but Kirin’s recommendation is 1 Whisky to 5 sodas, and pouring it into a chilled glass with ice makes it just the right volume.
Of course, even if you drink it as it is, you can feel the subtle sweetness and fruitiness that is typical of Riku.
8. last but not least.
As usual, it was discovered during the writing of this feature article that the company that produces fake Japanese Whisky also produces highball cans.
This recommendation also covers only those manufacturers that are known for certain to distill and produce their own products.
We have seen some information here and there about highball cans being released by craft distilleries in the future. It would be nice to see more varieties of highballs so that people can easily enjoy various flavors of highballs.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
