The liquor sections of Japanese convenience stores are now drawing keen interest from whisky enthusiasts worldwide. Once dominated by standard products, these shelves now surprise us with a continuous stream of limited editions and craft highballs from collaborations with famous distilleries. This fall, major Japanese convenience store chain Lawson is set to release a special can that whisky fans won’t want to miss: an authentic smoky highball created in partnership with the Saburomaru Distillery, the oldest whisky distillery in the Hokuriku region, located in Toyama Prefecture.
Introducing the Highly Anticipated “Saburomaru Distillery Smoky Highball Spanish Oak Finish”
Making its debut at Lawson is the “Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery’s Smoky Highball Spanish Oak Finish.” This special highball can luxuriously uses whisky from the Saburomaru Distillery, which has established a solid position in the world of craft whisky. While Lawson has released various limited-edition highballs that have impressed whisky lovers in the past, this collaboration can be considered the culmination of their efforts.
Product Details
Product Name: Wakatsuru Shuzo Saburomaru Distillery’s Smoky Highball Spanish Oak Finish 350ml
Release Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Price: Lawson Standard Price 462 JPY (tax included)
Available at: Lawson stores nationwide (at stores that carry alcoholic beverages)
So, How Does It Taste? An Authentic Flavor That Impresses Even the Experts
The most notable feature of this highball is its complex and deep flavor. In addition to the powerful, smoky character that the Saburomaru Distillery has consistently pursued, this edition is finished in Spanish oak casks, adding a deep, rich sweetness and a pleasant, spicy finish. The rich aroma that rises the moment you open the can is so authentic it makes you forget you’re drinking something from a convenience store.
Upon taking a sip, a bold, smoky peat aroma fills your mouth. However, it’s not just smoky; it harmonizes with a deep sweetness reminiscent of dried fruits and dark chocolate from the sherry casks, creating a surprisingly well-balanced taste. Within the refreshing crispness of the highball, you can perceive multiple layers of flavor, making for an incredibly satisfying drink.
What is the Saburomaru Distillery, a Mecca for Whisky Lovers?
Understanding the history and dedication of the Saburomaru Distillery, the creators of this special highball, will surely make every sip even more enjoyable.
A Long-Established Toyama Business with Over 160 Years of History
The parent company of Saburomaru Distillery, Wakatsuru Shuzo, is a long-established sake brewery founded in 1862 in Tonami City, Toyama. In this region known for its beautiful and expansive scattered settlements, they have been producing high-quality sake for many years using the clear underground water of the Sho River. The distillery obtained its license to produce whisky in 1952. This venture began during the post-World War II rice shortage as a way to create alcoholic beverages from ingredients other than rice. Since then, they have continued to produce small-batch, high-quality whisky, adopting a dual-production style of making sake in the winter and whisky in the summer.
Becoming a Craft Distillery Where Tradition Meets Innovation
While honoring its founding traditions, Saburomaru Distillery continues to embrace innovative challenges. A major turning point was its renewal and reopening in 2017. The distillery renovated its aging facilities and was reborn with the support of many through crowdfunding. Furthermore, in 2019, they developed the world’s first cast pot still, ‘ZEMON,’ utilizing the casting technology of Takaoka copperware, a local traditional industry. This unique still has enabled the production of a smoother, higher-quality whisky, attracting attention from around the world. Under the concept of ‘The Ultimate Peat,’ Saburomaru Distillery continues to create new value while pursuing its traditional smoky flavor. This is the essence of the Saburomaru Distillery.
Why at a Convenience Store? Making an Authentic Experience Accessible
So why is a highball from such a dedicated craft distillery readily available at Lawson stores nationwide? It is because the passion of Japanese convenience stores to “deliver high-quality products anytime, anywhere” has perfectly aligned with the Saburomaru Distillery’s desire to “share the charm of authentic whisky with more people.”
A drink that you might have only been able to enjoy at a bar can now be casually savored on your way home from work or during a relaxing evening at home. This is a wonderful cultural experience made possible by the convenience store, a deeply rooted part of the Japanese lifestyle. This can might just be your gateway into the profound world of Japanese whisky.
The “Saburomaru Distillery Smoky Highball Spanish Oak Finish” is a special, limited-time drink that fuses Japanese tradition, innovation, and convenience. The release date is Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Be sure to experience this “special treasure” available at Japanese convenience stores this fall for yourself.
*You must be 20 years of age or older to drink alcohol. Please refrain from drinking if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Please drink responsibly.
*Available only at stores that carry alcoholic beverages.
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