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Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum
About Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum
Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum is produced by Kō Hana Distillers – a Hawaii-based boutique rum distillery. Using carefully-sourced native heirloom sugarcane varieties, Kō Hana creates agricole style rums that are completely farm to bottle.
Each bottle of Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole is made from fresh sugarcane juice using sugarcane that is hand harvested on site. The juice is fermented using closed tank fermentation, before being distilled in a custom still.
This particular bottle of white rum is rested for 90 days in a stainless steel tank before bottling.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 40%
❖ Distillery: Kō Hana Distillers
❖ Aging: none
❖ Price Point: lower moderate price
My Tasting notes
The nose notes of this rum were strongly earthy, with a pleasant pungent quality. Though the aroma smelled unique, I found myself comparing it to corn nut snacks – for example the salted Inca Corn snacks often available at Trader Joe’s. The savory scent was very interesting!
I took my first sip, and there was the same salty, corn-like note in the front. There was also a note in the background that confused my tastebuds for several sips in a row. It was sweet but not sweet, fruity but not fruity, and vaguely thick in the mouth. I enjoyed it despite the paradoxical nature of the flavor. Later on, slight grassy notes joined in.
Overall, I found this rum to be surprisingly nice to sip. The alcohol didn’t have much bite at all. The savory flavor was nice, and the aftertaste rested gently on my tongue like a mellow soup. Sipping this glass was a worthwhile journey!
Cocktail
Blushing Ocean
recipe by Emmeline
Ingredients
- 2oz Hawaiian agricole rum
- 2oz hibiscus tea (unsweetened)
- 1/2oz lime juice
- 1oz Coco Reàl cream of coconut
- garnish: pinch of sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a small glass.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the top of the drink as a garnish.
I thought this agricole rum performed beautifully inside of a cocktail! The salty, corn-like note balanced nicely with the sweet and sour mixers. Overall, there was an earthy and savory quality to the flavor of the cocktail. I also found it to be nice and smooth.
Fair warning, though – the ending is quite salty! Although the sea salt garnish is meant to partially sink to the bottom as a feature of the drink, I had tested my recipe with a rum that was much sweeter and less savory than Kō Hana. As a result, I wan’t quite prepared for that last salty sip that really packed a punch.
The next day, I also used this Kō Hana Agricole in a classic daiquiri, and it was very delicious and well balanced!
Bottom Line
Overall, I really enjoyed Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum , and I definitely recommend it to folks looking for a good earthy and flavorful rum. Although it’s very sippable, it truly shines as a mixing rum that turns a simple cocktail into a unique experience. It really tastes special.
In addition, I appreciate the company’s mission to restore ancient varieties of sugarcane that are culturally significant to the Hawaiian people. These heirloom varieties haven’t been grown on a large scale since colonization took its toll on the islands. The thoughtful and deliberate approach of Kō Hana makes it a company worth supporting, and I’m relieved that this rum lived up to my high expectations. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum to taste for yourself!
As always, drink responsibly.
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