A New Sensation from Aomori: 'APPLE HIGHBALL' is Born!

Tugboat Co., Ltd., the developer of the apple brandy 'CRAZY DAYS WHITE DREAM EDITION'—which won the Grand Prix at the Japan Food Selection and Bronze at the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC) 2026—launched a new type of highball, 'APPLE HIGHBALL with CRAZY DAYS WHITE DREAM EDITION,' on Monday, June 1, 2026. Aiming to solve regional issues, the company strives to become a world-class 'apple liquor maker.' Aomori, the apple kingdom, is Japan's top producer. However, the prefecture faces concerns over an aging farming population and an increase in abandoned orchards. While most orchards grow apples for fresh consumption, domestic consumption is plummeting, creating a crisis. In contrast, the European apple industry focuses on processing apples for cider and brandy, ensuring stable income for farmers through efficient, low-labor production. To solve these issues and develop Aomori's apple industry into a prosperous future, we believe an attractive processing apple industry is necessary. Aiming to be a world-recognized 'apple liquor maker,' we launched the cider brand 'CRAZY CIDER' in May 2022. This cider won the top 'Aomori Prefectural Governor's Award' at the Aomori Specialty Products Competition in September 2022, leading to expanded sales in Tokyo. Building on this confidence and know-how, we started creating the 'best apple brandy' with a desire to boost our local Aomori. (truncated)