Whiskey ranking for highballs suitable for a sophisticated night in Ginza: TOP 10

October 4, 2024

Table of Contents

1 summary
2 Highballs in Ginza: Ranking the Best Whiskeys for Highballs

summary

Ginza's glittering streets are lined with sophisticated bars and exclusive clubs, and the highball served in these places is loved by many whiskey lovers as a drink that adds color to a fine evening.

The highball, with its perfect harmony of whiskey aroma and refreshing carbonation, is one of the most iconic cocktails of a night out in Ginza.

In particular, the presence of a well-selected whiskey is essential to enrich the highball experience in Ginza.

In this article, we introduce in ranking form a selection of whiskies best suited for highballs that can be enjoyed at clubs and bars in Ginza and even at home, selected from among brands available at a bottle price of approximately 4,000 yen or less. While explaining in detail the characteristics of each whiskey, the history of the distillery behind it, and its regional characteristics, we suggest the perfect drink for a sophisticated evening in Ginza.

Please try to deepen your enjoyment of highballs in the future.

Promotion of Whisky in Ginza

Whiskey began to become popular in Ginza in the 1920s and 1930s. During this period, Western liquors began to spread in Japan, and whiskey was particularly popular. In the bars and clubs of Ginza, whisky began to take its place as a symbolic "grown-up" drink. In particular, since Ginza had a modern and sophisticated image, Western liquor, especially whisky, became an indispensable part of the Ginza nightlife.

Ginza and Suntory

Of particular importance in the history of Ginza and whiskey is the presence of Suntory. Suntory was the first company to produce real whiskey in Japan, and produced Japan's first malt whiskey at its Yamazaki distillery in 1929. Later, in 1937, Suntory Kaku Bottle was released and became one of the most beloved whiskies in Japan, enjoyed by many in the bars of Ginza.

Especially in the postwar period, whisky became increasingly popular as Suntory whisky was served in bars and exclusive clubs in Ginza, and Ginza became more and more a crossroad of business and culture with whisky in hand.

Ginza and Highball Culture

The highball is a particularly noteworthy way to enjoy whiskey in Ginza. The highball became particularly popular in postwar Japan, especially from the 1950s to the 1960s, and was a staple drink at bars in Ginza. The highball, which is easy to drink and enhances the flavor of whisky by mixing it with carbonated water, became the perfect cocktail for the sophisticated adult atmosphere of Ginza.

In the 2000s, highballs once again attracted attention due to Suntory's promotional activities, and their popularity was rekindled in Ginza. Highballs, with their simple yet profound flavor, continue to be proposed as a new way to enjoy whiskey at bars in Ginza.

Highballs in Ginza: Ranking the Best Whiskeys for Highballs

No. 10: Bowmore 12year old

feature: Produced at the Bowmore distillery on the island of Islay, this whiskey is a gem with a perfect balance of smokiness and a hint of the sea. Enjoying a highball based on this whiskey at an exclusive club in Ginza, the carbonation enhances the smoky aroma and the refined taste.
Distilleries and Regions: Bowmore distillery is located on the island of Islay in Scotland and was established in 1779. It is characterized by the peaty aroma characteristic of Islay malt and the minerality of the sea, and the aroma opens up and the delicate flavor stands out when it is served as a highball.
Recommended Drinking: Bowmore 12 year old highball should be poured with large ice cubes and well-chilled sparkling water. A light squeeze of lemon peel will further enhance the refreshing aroma and allow you to enjoy the complexity of Islay malt.

No. 9: Suntory Kakubin Bottle

feature: Suntory Kakubotto is one of Japan's most popular whiskeys, and its true value is demonstrated when it is served as a highball. When enjoyed at a bar in Ginza, its mellowness and aroma stand out, giving it a very well-balanced flavor.
Distilleries and Regions: This whiskey is produced at the Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Yamazaki distillery is known as the first malt whiskey distillery in Japan, and is characterized by the deep flavor brought about by its rich natural environment.
Recommended Drinking: If you enjoy Kaku Bottle highballs in Ginza, add a light touch of salt to enhance the sweetness and aroma. Garnish with a slice of classic lemon for a simple yet elegant taste.

No. 8: Alain 10 years

feature: Aran 10 years old is characterized by its medium-bodied flavor, and its juiciness and richness are accentuated when served as a highball. When served at an exclusive club in Ginza, its fruity and spicy aroma spreads refreshingly with carbonated water.
Distilleries and Regions: Produced at the Arran Distillery on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, it is a relatively new distillery established in 1995. The rich natural environment of the Isle of Arran gives the whisky its unique flavor.
Recommended Drinking: Garnish the highball of Aran 10 Year Old with an orange peel to further enhance the citrusy flavor of the whiskey. Taste slowly over large ice cubes to enjoy the rich flavor of the whiskey.

No. 7: Glenmorangie 10years

feature: Glenmorangie 10year old is characterized by its citrusy freshness and vanilla-like sweetness, and its fruity and complex flavor is further enhanced when served in a highball. Taste this whiskey in a bar in Ginza for a refreshing and elegant drink.
Distilleries and Regions: Glenmorangie distillery, located in the Highlands, is known for having the tallest still in Scotland. As a result, it produces a light and delicate whisky that is loved by whisky lovers around the world.
Recommended Drinking: We recommend adding a lime slice to the Glenmorangie 10-year highball to add a refreshing acidity. You can enjoy the light and fruity flavor in the gorgeous atmosphere of Ginza.

No. 6: Duerr's White Label

feature: Dewar's White Label is a spicy yet very easy-drinking blended whiskey. A highball based on this whisky at an upscale club in Ginza will have its spicy aroma enhanced along with the carbonation, resulting in a refreshing and comfortable drink.
Distilleries and Regions: Dewar's was founded in 1846 in the Scottish Highlands. Malt from the Aberfeldy distillery is used as the key malt, and its honeyed sweetness and spiciness are characteristic of Dewar's.
Recommended Drinking: Dewar's White Label Highball is recommended in a style that allows the whiskey flavor to be fully appreciated with less soda water. The use of lightly crushed ice enhances the spicy aroma and sweetness just right.

No. 5: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12years

feature: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 years old is a blended whiskey with a perfect blend of smokiness and a hint of iodine. Its complex flavor is enhanced and deepened by a highball enjoyed at a bar in Ginza.
Distilleries and Regions: Johnnie Walker is a brand created in Scotland in 1820 and loved around the world. Black Label is a superb blend of more than 40 malt and grain whiskies, with the single malt from the Cardhu distillery providing a particularly distinctive flavor.
Recommended Drinking: The Ginza way to enjoy the rich flavor of a Johnnie Walker Black Label highball is to use a moderate amount of soda. A light twist of lemon peel adds aroma, further enhancing the smokiness of the whiskey.

No. 4: Teacher's Highland Cream

feature: Teacher's Highland Cream is a blended whiskey with a perfect balance of smokiness and mellowness. When this whiskey is served in a highball at an upscale club in Ginza, its full-bodied, smoky flavor spreads with the carbonation.
Distilleries and Regions: Teaacher's is rooted in the Scottish Highlands, where the smoky malts of the Ardmore distillery strongly express their character. established in 1860, the brand is loved by many fans for its smoky, yet easy-drinking taste.
Recommended Drinking: We recommend using plenty of sparkling water for a refreshing highball of Teacher's Highland Cream. Its flavor can be further enhanced by enjoying it with a simple slice of lemon in the refined atmosphere of Ginza.

No.3: Black Nica Deep Blend

feature: Among Japanese whiskeys, Black Nikka Deep Blend is regarded as particularly cost-effective. This highball, served in Ginza, has a smokiness and richness that is enhanced by the carbonation, giving it a refreshing yet deep taste.
Distilleries and Regions: Nikka Whisky was founded in 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru, and is a blend of malts from the Yoichi distillery and the Miyagikyo distillery. The smokiness of Yoichi in particular stands out and has a strong flavor.
Recommended Drinking: The key to a Black Nikka Deep Blend highball is to use slightly more carbonated water and to chill the glass thoroughly with ice before pouring. At upscale clubs in Ginza, we recommend garnishing with orange peel to add a fruity aroma.

No. 2: Talisker 10 years

feature: Talisker 10 years old is a single malt whiskey with a perfect balance of smokiness, spiciness, and a unique salty taste. The complex and powerful flavors are further enhanced when this whiskey is served in a highball at a bar in Ginza.
Distilleries and RegionsTalisker Distillery, located on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, is known as the "whisky of the sea" because of its harsh natural environment.
Recommended Drinking: The Talisker 10 Year Old Highball is served with a strong carbonated water and a light touch of black pepper to bring out the spicy flavor of the whiskey. We recommend that you savor and enjoy this drink in the refined atmosphere of Ginza.

No. 1: Nikka from the Barrel

feature: Nikka From the Barrel is an attractive whiskey with a rich flavor that comes from its high alcohol content. Even a highball enjoyed at a high-class club in Ginza leaves a strong impact without spoiling its rich flavor.
Distilleries and Regions: This whiskey is a blend of malt and grain whiskeys from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, and was released in 1985. This whiskey is a perfect blend of the peaty aroma of Yoichi and the fruity taste of Miyagikyo.
Recommended Drinking: The best style of highball for Nikka From the Barrel is to use less soda water and enjoy the full flavor of the whiskey. At the club in Ginza, use less ice and use ice that melts slowly so that you can enjoy the flavor change over time.

Summary

The highball enjoyed in the exclusive clubs and bars of Ginza is more than just a cocktail; it is a sophisticated piece of culture and history.

Each of the whiskeys introduced here has its own unique background and flavor, providing a drink suitable for an evening in Ginza.

Make your next highball experience in Ginza even richer with these rankings.

Article Supervisor

Yuya Hachimine

Representative Director of ZENNO GROUP, Inc. known as a leader in the night work industry in Ginza. He worked for 14 years as a black-shirted worker in a high-class club in Ginza, and based on his experience, he provides various services for the industry. In order to improve the inefficient work system, he founded ZENNO GROUP Inc. and has contributed to the development of the industry.