Introduction
I’ve tried my fair share of whiskies in many formats, but I was particularly curious about this one—a canned highball from Yamazaki. When you're dealing with a name like Yamazaki, even something as casual as a ready-to-drink highball earns a closer look. This limited-edition release blends whiskies aged in both Spanish oak and Mizunara casks, and I wanted to see just how much of those characteristics come through in something pre-mixed and carbonated.
Nose
Straight from the can, poured gently over ice, the aroma is delicate but layered. At first sniff, I picked up light sandalwood, which I tend to associate with Mizunara-influenced spirits, though here it’s toned down. There’s a dry, nutty character as well—walnuts or maybe roasted almonds—likely from the Spanish oak component. A mild sweetness followed, reminding me faintly of red apples and dried apricot, but it was all very understated. Overall, the nose isn’t bold, but it’s more expressive than I expected for a canned highball.
Palate
The carbonation is gentle and doesn’t overpower the actual whisky flavours, which is a good start. I tasted mild gingerbread spice mingling with soft vanilla and hints of coconut—again, nods to the Mizunara cask showing up subtly. There’s a dry, almost tannic note threading through the drink, likely borrowed from the Spanish oak, giving it a slight depth that lingers briefly before fading away. While it’s not overly complex, the mouthfeel is clean and not overly sweet, which I appreciated. Everything in it is restrained and balanced.
Finish
The finish isn’t long, which is to be expected from a low-ABV pre-mixed drink, but it does leave behind a pleasant trace. I noticed a slight warming spice—clove or cinnamon—toward the tail end, and a faint dry oakiness that rounded it off. The overall impression is clean and faintly earthy, with enough character to make you pause for a moment before reaching for another sip.
Price and Value
This was never going to be a budget can of highball, and it isn’t pretending to be. At the price point—significantly higher than typical convenience store mixers—it asks you to consider the craftsmanship behind the blend. Is it worth it? If you're a fan of the Yamazaki profile or want something more refined than a basic RTD, I'd say yes. You're getting a surprisingly nuanced flavour in a format that's easy to enjoy without any fuss. But if you're looking for bold intensity or full whisky complexity, this won’t be that.
Background
As Japan’s oldest malt whisky distillery, Yamazaki has earned its reputation through careful cask selection and traditional techniques. This highball features whisky matured in two distinct types of wood: Spanish oak, known for imparting rich, nutty and dried fruit notes, and Mizunara, a Japanese oak prized for its signature aromas of sandalwood, incense, and mild spice. Both cask types are typically used sparingly in small-batch releases, so it’s especially intriguing to see them blended into something as casual as a canned drink.
Originally released through a lottery system in Japan, this particular highball isn’t widely available, adding a bit of exclusivity to the experience.
Final Notes
Would I buy this again? I think I would. Not because it’s a daily drinker—I’d probably treat it more like a casual treat or a conversation piece to share with whisky friends. Is it approachable for those new to whisky? Absolutely. Its smoothness and subtlety make it less intimidating than a neat dram. It's best suited to easygoing moments—something to sip on a warm evening or to start a low-key gathering. Compared to other offerings from Yamazaki, it’s clearly a different type of experience, but it still carries that same attention to detail, even in its simplest form.