HAWAII-PROOF
MAUI RUMS

Since Maui has a lot of sunshine, rain and sugar cane, Jim and Leslie Sargent decided that it was a good place to build a rum distillery. In 2003, the husband-and-wife team built Haleakala Distillers 2,000 feet above sea level on Haleakala Ranch. They handcraft and bottle rum from the only distillery on the island, which is also the only working distillery in the state. Jim, the Master Distiller, uses only pure Maui ingredients of molasses, made from the sugar cane, and rainwater, but imports American oak barrels previously used to house Bourbon in which he ages the liquor.

The three rums pictured are double distilled to 80 proof. Bottles are available at various stores around Maui, and can also be shipped to the mainland U.S. wearing their distinctive miniature leis.

Maui Gold Rum has the color and taste of caramel, as well as a hint of vanilla. It goes down smoothly, with a slight alcohol burn, and mixes well. Maui Dark Rum, one of our top 10 spirits for 2007, has a good mouthfeel, and offers hints of chocolate, coffee and tobacco. There is no alcohol burn when sipped, but its flavor is strong enough to be mixed with cola.

Our favorite is the Maui Platinum, which is enjoyable sipped at room temperature. The clear liquid has a very clean taste, with hints of banana, and a slightly sweet aftertaste. At more than 75 percent alcohol, another product is so flammable, that the TSA won’t allow tourists to carry it home with them on airplanes! Braddah Kimo’s “DaBomb” Extreme 155 Proof Rum can be shipped to the mainland, but we’re looking forward to trying some on its home turf on our next trip.

Price: $30-$33

In the meantime, try this Hawaiian twist on the Cuban mojito:

For more information visit www.haleakaladistillers.com

Rum 101
More Spirits
More Cocktail Recipes