Post #529010 by Okolehao on Sun, May 9, 2010 12:55 PM

I did it!!! I made okolehao!!! Hallelujah!
After all this research including working with the University of Hawaii, multiple contacts with everyone from commercial nurseries to craigslist flakes, the Hawaiian and Californian agricultural departments, ti plant clubs as far away as New Zealand, with ebay money and time spent obtaining new and old bottles of oko, getting advise from a master tiki drink mixolgist I won't name, and even buying my own water purifier to 'off label' use as a still, I FINALLY made frikin' okolehao!
Can somebody say 'Amen brother'??? But . . . . . . . . . . . what I've made (sigh) tastes pretty bad. Like sake gone bad. The first glass was maybe 180 prof, had no taste, and made my eyes bug out, but as the rest distilled out the flavor came thru and it was a real disappointment. I attribute it to a recipe that may not be right, using the wrong kind of yeast, not having enough experience with brewing, and very definitely not having any aging. I'm learning it's a real art to making any kind of good hooch. But this is not my last attempt so pray for me that I can get something palatable. What a journey.

Okole Maluna!