Taiwanese distillery Kavalan has launched its first ready-to-drink product, a Dry Peated Whisky Highball available exclusively at Lawson convenience stores across Japan. The 320ml RTD, priced at JPY 528 (US$3.40), will hit shelves in mid-December at 7% ABV.
The highball combines Kavalan’s award-winning Peated Whisky with soda water and contains no added sugar.
The base whisky was named “Best of the Best” Single Malt Whisky at the 2024 Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition.
“Whether enjoyed at an izakaya or an outdoor gathering, this limited-edition highball celebrates Japan’s highball tradition while appealing to whisky and cocktail lovers worldwide,” said King Car Group chairman and Kavalan CEO Yu-Ting Lee.
The Taiwanese distillery used its premium 50-59.9% ABV peated whisky to create the RTD.
“We’ve used our premium 50–59.9% ABV peated whisky as the base to achieve a perfect harmony of smokiness and fruit-forward notes,” Lee added.
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The packaging features deep purple and champagne gold colors, designed to represent the combination of smoky and tropical flavors.
Japan’s RTD market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with whisky highballs becoming increasingly popular among younger consumers. The category has attracted numerous international spirits brands seeking to capitalize on the country’s highball culture.
Kavalan, established in 2005, has gained international recognition for its single malt whiskies despite Taiwan’s tropical climate challenging traditional whisky-making wisdom.
The distillery has won multiple awards at international competitions, establishing itself as a prominent player in the world whisky category.
This marks Kavalan’s first venture into the RTD category, following other premium whisky brands that have launched canned highballs in Japan.
The move reflects the growing premiumization trend in Japan’s RTD market, where consumers increasingly seek higher-quality ingredients and craft credentials in convenient formats.
