Kōloa Rum Company Debuts Kaua'i Cacao Rum in Partnership with Lydgate Farms
Collaboration Brings Local Brands Together for Two New Kaua'i-Made Products
By Brent Nakano
Kalāheo, Kaua`i, Hawai`i – Hawai'i’s award-winning Kōloa Rum Company debuts Kōloa Kaua'i Cacao Rum in partnership with Kaua'i’s Lydgate Farms. The chocolate-flavored rum incorporates the finest Hawaiian-grown cacao from Lydgate Farms, an award-winning, fifth generation Kaua'i family farm that is recognized for producing some of the finest chocolates in the world. The collaboration between two of Kaua'i’s leading producers results in two new products that reflect the remarkable flavor and history of the Garden Isle.
“The debut of Kōloa Kaua'i Cacao Rum is our first flavored rum release in five years, and we are so pleased to have created this rum in collaboration with the Lydgate Farms 'ohana,” said Kōloa Rum President and CEO Bob Gunter. “At Kōloa Rum Company, everything we do is deeply rooted in our commitment to the land we call home, so we are incredibly proud to partner with our neighbors at this fifth generation family farm.” “I could not imagine a more perfect pair than Lydgate Farms and Kōloa Rum,” said Lydgate Farms CEO Will Lydgate. “Not only do we share the same values in regard to being stewards of the land and culture here on Kaua'i, but we also share a passion for quality, flavor, and local agriculture that is evident in both of these new products. Chocolate and rum - a match made in paradise, grown on Kaua'i.”
“The debut of Kōloa Kaua'i Cacao Rum is our first flavored rum release in five years, and we are so pleased to have created this rum in collaboration with the Lydgate Farms 'ohana,” said Kōloa Rum President and CEO Bob Gunter. “At Kōloa Rum Company, everything we do is deeply rooted in our commitment to the land we call home, so we are incredibly proud to partner with our neighbors at this fifth generation family farm.” “I could not imagine a more perfect pair than Lydgate Farms and Kōloa Rum,” said Lydgate Farms CEO Will Lydgate. “Not only do we share the same values in regard to being stewards of the land and culture here on Kaua'i, but we also share a passion for quality, flavor, and local agriculture that is evident in both of these new products. Chocolate and rum - a match made in paradise, grown on Kaua'i.”
Kaua'i Cacao Rum Ingredients
• Kōloa Kaua'i Gold Rum
• Cacao Nibs
• Cacao Nibs
Production Process
Cacao Nibs from Lydgate Farms
The Olohena (Kaua`i) grown cacao is picked from predominantly seven years old trinitario trees. Unlike the commodity chocolate producing Forastero trees, Trinitario cacao yields broader aromas but are more difficult to grow and have smaller fruit. After picking, the cacao is fermented in 2ft x 2ft maple wood boxes using wild inoculants (yeast, lactic acid, acetic acid) found naturally on the cacao.
After being fermented, the cacao is sun-dried, then roasted to a medium-light profile as to mellow out the bright cacao fruit vinegars and emphasize the notes of fudge and nuts. This results in a hybrid cacao roast profile which is less fruity than the typical New American style and more European with the classic chocolate notes (fudge and nuts).
The Olohena (Kaua`i) grown cacao is picked from predominantly seven years old trinitario trees. Unlike the commodity chocolate producing Forastero trees, Trinitario cacao yields broader aromas but are more difficult to grow and have smaller fruit. After picking, the cacao is fermented in 2ft x 2ft maple wood boxes using wild inoculants (yeast, lactic acid, acetic acid) found naturally on the cacao.
After being fermented, the cacao is sun-dried, then roasted to a medium-light profile as to mellow out the bright cacao fruit vinegars and emphasize the notes of fudge and nuts. This results in a hybrid cacao roast profile which is less fruity than the typical New American style and more European with the classic chocolate notes (fudge and nuts).
Kaua'i Gold Rum
Hawaii grown sugar is mixed with water then fermented using a high-temperature tolerant yeast strain that was developed originally in Guadalupe. Once the fermentation is complete, in approximately five to seven days, the mash is distilled in a 550 gallon stripper still with a seven plate copper column, then redistilled in a Liberty Copper Smith's pot still which was built in 1947. After distillation, the Gold Rum is created by the addition of caramelized sugar to the white rum for color.
Hawaii grown sugar is mixed with water then fermented using a high-temperature tolerant yeast strain that was developed originally in Guadalupe. Once the fermentation is complete, in approximately five to seven days, the mash is distilled in a 550 gallon stripper still with a seven plate copper column, then redistilled in a Liberty Copper Smith's pot still which was built in 1947. After distillation, the Gold Rum is created by the addition of caramelized sugar to the white rum for color.
The production of Kaua'i Cacao Rum
Lydgate Farms cacao nibs are macerated between 9 to 18 days in Kaua'i Gold Rum. The rum is then particulate filtered before bottling. |
The production of Lydgates Farm Rum Bar
Alcohol is evaporated out of the cacao nibs. Cacao butter and sugar are added and then ground down together before being tempered. According to Lydgate, “The chocolate has molasses, raisin and unmistakable rum flavor notes. It’s really a really different chocolate because a lot of the chocolate flavor has gone into the rum and the rum has left a rum flavor in the chocolate.” |
Hawaii Beverage Guide Tasting Notes:
Aroma: An initial fudge aroma is accented by notes of banana, almond and baking spice.
Palate: Banana, Almond, Baking Spice,
and of Course Chocolate. Think chocolate banana bread. The rum is already sweetened, therefore it does not need additional sugar when making a cocktail.
Aroma: An initial fudge aroma is accented by notes of banana, almond and baking spice.
Palate: Banana, Almond, Baking Spice,
and of Course Chocolate. Think chocolate banana bread. The rum is already sweetened, therefore it does not need additional sugar when making a cocktail.
Suggested Cocktail Techniques:
• Neat
• Shaken
• Stirred
• A hot drink, but only if used with light roast coffee as to not hide flavors or in a hot chocolate made specifically with Lydgate Farms
chocolate chips.
• Neat
• Shaken
• Stirred
• A hot drink, but only if used with light roast coffee as to not hide flavors or in a hot chocolate made specifically with Lydgate Farms
chocolate chips.
|
Flavor Pairings
|
Spices
• Angostura Bitters • Baking Spice (Allspice, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Ginger) • Chile powder • Chai (Hot or Cold) Fruit
• Apple • Citrus: Calamansi, Lemon, Orange Zest/Orange Oil (Orange juice is too acidic for the flavor profile), Yuzu • Lilikoi • Raspberries |
Herbs
• Lavender • Mint • Rosemary Sweeteners
• Honey • Maple syrup Other Beverages
• Cola • Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer |
Spirits/Vermouth
• Grand Marnier
• Giffards Banane du Brési
• Whiskey
• Peanut Butter Whiskey
• Rouge/Red Vermouth
• Grand Marnier
• Giffards Banane du Brési
• Whiskey
• Peanut Butter Whiskey
• Rouge/Red Vermouth
Flavor Combinations
Long Drinks (Collins glass)
• Kōloa Kaua'i Cacao Rum + Ginger Beer + Angostura Bitters • Kōloa White Rum + Kōloa Cacao Rum + Raspberries (muddled) + Ginger Beer + Mint • Kōloa Reserve 3 year + Kōloa Cacao Rum + Lilikoi Juice + Yuzu or Calamansi |
Stirred as a Shot or on the Rocks
• Kōloa Cacao Rum + Peanut Butter Whiskey + Giffards banana (Optional) • Kōloa Reserve 3 year + Kōloa Cacao Rum + Hanalei Lilikoi-cello (optional) • Kōloa Reserve 3 year + Kōloa Cacao Rum + Angostura Bitters • Kōloa Reserve 3 year + Kōloa Cacao Rum + Kōloa Kaua'i Coffee Rum • Kōloa White Rum + Kōloa Cacao Rum + Kōloa Kaua'i Coffee Rum +Heavy Cream |
Hot Drinks
• Rum + Kaua'i Coffee (preferably light roast) + Orange Zest
• Rum + Kaua'i Coffee (preferably light roast) + Orange Zest
How to Buy Kōloa Kaua'i Cacao Rum
The initial batch of Kōloa Kaua'i Cacao Rum is available through Young's Market Company of Hawaii. It is also available in Missouri, Texas, and California. It’s also available for special order in the following control states: ID, IA, MS, MT, NC, PA, UT and WY. Distribution will continue to expand into 2021. MSRP: 375ml: $21.99 750mL: $32.99 How to Buy Lydgate Farms Kaua'i Chocolate with Kōloa Rum
Lydgate Farms Kaua'i Chocolate with Kōloa Rum is available at the Kōloa Rum Company Store, Lydgate Farms gift shop, online at LydgateFarms.com, and at select retailers on Kauai. |
For More about Kōloa Rum
Website: https: koloarum.com Hawaii Beverage Guide insight into Kōloa Rum:
https://www.hawaiibevguide.com/koloa-rum |