Purchased a bottle of Lilikoi Vodka a couple days ago from a stand in Costco, I'm very pleased. Mixed with a little ice and sprite it's an amazingly refreshing drink and delicious. This vodka is so good drinking it neat is surprisingly smooth as well. Bravo to the vodka chef! read more

Island Distillers - Vodka - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It's always fun to try something new, even when it's so close by. After a birthday lunch at Kona Brewing in Hawaii-Kai, I thought it was the perfect time to drive a little farther and stop by Island Distillers for a free tasting and look around the facility. Island Distillers is located in Hawaii-Kai; very close to everything, yet feels so far away. It's located at the end of a cul-du-sac with free street parking and marked spots just off the road. The gate is welcoming with painted yellow slippahs to guide your way. The main building is the actual distillery; you can peek inside and see where all the work is done. They do offer tours, but you have to schedule ahead of time (this would be a great activity to plan for visitors). The next building is the store and tasting room. It's well lit with natural sky lights. The bar is along the back, here you can try all their liquors. As of this writing, they have Coconut Vodka, Hibiscus Vodka, and the only known Hawaiian spirit known as Okolehao (this was my favorite). In the coming months they will also offer different varieties of rum. The owner was very friendly and ready to talk about their products and story of the location. He had fresh bananas hanging to enjoy as well as a large selection of bottles to buy to-go and clothing items with their well designed logos. Be sure to check in on Yelp for a free shot glass! The outdoor lanai has a number of tables all shaded next to a pond, waterfall, and garden. On the hill is sugarcane. He will be serving free pizzas to compliment the alcohols; be sure to keep an eye out for updates. This is a wonderful stop for anyone that enjoys locally made goods and wants to get away from town for an hour or so. read more

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We stopped by thinking they had a public tasting room (it's not open to the public yet!), but Amy and Jody were SO kind and gave us a tour and let us taste their amazing spirits! We loved how they are so conscious of the environment and growing local plants to conserve water. #drinkhapa read more

Review #38 for 2018. A friend wanted to pick up some okolehao, and Island Distillers was the only place we knew of that carries it, since we don't know anyone who makes it at home. I stopped by Island Distillers last week and found it tucked away in Hawaii Kai near Kaiser High School. There's a row of marked parking stalls alone the street just in front of the building. When I arrived I was greeted by one of the workers, Brad, who was awesome. He gave me some samples of various flavors of vodka and mixes such as coconut vodka mixed with pineapple juice and hibiscus vodka mixed with green tea. Both were delicious! I came for the okolehao, so I tried that as well. I don't drink much, and I've never had okolehao before, but I thought it tasted good. I really liked it mixed with guava juice, which I sampled as well. Any way, it was nice stopping by Island Distillers and trying some of their products. I bought a bottle of okolehao as planned, and I know my friend will be very ha read more

Island Distillers - Flavored vodkas - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The four of wanted to do something different, so why not some vodka tasting. With a reservation for the 11:00am time slot, we parked out front and entered through the gate and proceeded to the tasting room. We were greeted by Nika who checked us in. Nika offered us refreshments and apple bananas that are grown on the property. With 2 other guests, our group was then welcomed by Dave, the owner, and his two Labradors. We proceeded to the outdoor lanai area with patio tables, a waterfall and pond. Dave described his property that had sugar cane and apple banana trees and goes into a background about himself and how he got into the vodka distilling business. Next, we proceeded to the main building, where the distilling and bottling of the vodka takes place. Dave pointed out the sacks of grains that are used in the distilling and the stack of boxes that contained the empty bottles for bottling. He then walks us to the still and describe how the vodka is distill and how they bottle it and label it. Dave said they will distill a rum in the near future. The tour ended back at the tasting room where Nika poured tastings of the Vodka, Coconut Vodka, Hibiscus Vodka, and Okolehao, a 100 proof spirit. She also add a mixer to the vodkas to show a different taste of the spirits. We're glad we made a visit here. Give it about two hours for the entire experience. It was an interesting and informative tour by Dave and a friendly tasting conducted by Nika. read more

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A fabulous tour guided by the owner/distiller! I have never had that treat. And Nica was awesome at pouring us tastings and so sweet too! We swear she is NOT a day over 90...LOL!! She can only be about 25. The best tasting coconut vodka and hibiscus vodka! The Okolehao is fantastic! read more

We bought a Groupon to check this place out and had an amazing experience! We tasted all the different vodkas made on site, first on their own, then with a fresh juice or other mixer. Our hostess was very friendly and knowledgeable about any questions we had. You have to try this place! read more

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Me and my wife had a great time. Well worth the money. They have free parking and two friendly dogs that make up the welcoming crew which was a nice touch. Each of their vodkas were smooth packed with a punch. We were provided a tasting for each kind of vodka to include one that was mixed with a juice or soda. We will be back. Thanks Jerry!!! read more

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Well off the beaten path, hidden behind a high school, this distillery is one man's dream. They distill multiple flavored vodkas from cane along with their very special and unique Okolehao, an ancient Hawaiian alcoholic spirit whose main ingredient is the root of the ti plant. Your tasting consists of spirit-only pours followed by a mixed drink made with each of the vodkas and the Okolehao. Outside the tasting room is a patio where you can sit back and chill, watching the cane bob and weave in the wind behind the waterfall. read more

I think we all got that postcard (https://www.islanddistillers.com/) announcing the opening of Island distiller's tasting room in Hawaii Kai at the end of Pakala St. behind Kaiser Highschool. As a sipping rum devotee, I decided to pay them a visit yesterday. Dave, the owner, said I was their first responder to the postcard! He spent and hour with me telling me about his vodkas and okolehao all of which I got to sample. I was so impressed by the smoothness and delicate flavors of all of his liquors. While he is not yet distilling rum (I'll be back to sample it when he does), I bought a bottle of his okolehao because it tasted so good. His vodka also tasted smooth and has some subtle taste highlights that were really good. Go see Dave up there and be impressed as I was. PS - No charge for the tasting experience with ample samples. read more

We got a Groupon for this place for two and oh my gosh what a surprise GEM! You drive through Hawaii Kai behind Kaiser High School and park off the side of a warehouse with Kokohead crater in site. Walk through the gates with the dog warning sign and follow the slippah prints to the tasting room. We got stopped by a cute little golden lab on our way and had a photoshoot with her. You go inside and the tasting room is SO fun and clean. There's so much room and lots of seating inside and outside. We got to taste each of their vodkas made with sugarcane and after you taste the half shot of the vodka - the server gives you a shot glass of a mixed drink with the vodka you just tasted. We had fresh pineapple juice mixed with the coconut vodka and fresh guava juice with hibiscus vodka and a tomato juice mixed with the red pepper vodka - that was really interesting! I will bring all my visitors to this place and always buy at least one bottle from them lol! They are getting their outdoor space ready to be an upscale venue - it's so nice out there and relaxing too. Parking is easy and free. Bathrooms are located right in the tasting room. read more

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My GF and I visited this place and were fortunate enough to be the only ones who signed up for a tour during a particular day and time. So the owner gave us a personal tour and some extra information IMO. He also had 3 dogs who followed us around, and since we are dog lovers, we thought that this was great! The tastings that he provides as part of the tour is great too -- he will let you try all of the products that he makes/distills, and even some fruit cocktails that he makes with his spirits. They were all good. I especially liked his Hawaiian chili pepper vodka. It was spicy and great. I bought a bottle to take home with us. While this might not be an awe inspiring tour, it is interesting and costs only $10 pp. So I would recommend it to anyone. read more

Island Distillers - Hawaiian Chili Pepper Vodka - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you always wondered how spirits are distilled this is an excellent opportunity to visit the oldest and best distiller in Hawaii. Located on a couple acres of land below the KoKo head hiking trail the small farm barn distillery and patio courtyard a gift shop in the tasting room. The tour was extremely informative and you realize there is so much love and care that goes into creating the distinct Hapa Hawaiian vodka and rum that it indeed qualifies as craft made. I recommend that you purchase a few bottles of this exclusive product. I got a few T-shirt's too. Tours are only on Friday and the weekend but call ahead and stop down after taking a hike if u looking for something to do also after swimming Haumana Bay because this is actually going to become a very popular attraction in Hawaii Kai. read more

Omg this place is a hidden gem in Hawaii Kai. Friendly owner. Great price for a 30m plus tasting. Just to start the walk up to the place is really nice and you are greeted by two ridiculously cute friendly yellow labs wearing leis. You get 5 tastings- regular vodka, coconut, hibiscus, chili and then a Okolehao. You also get 5 shots w mixers. Each has a unique taste w the mixed drink and it makes you want a another shot. You can purchase bottles for very reasonable prices especially if you buy a few. They have tanks, t-shirts, stickers, shot glasses and more for sale. It's a beautifully open bar so going during covid is no problem. The owner wears a shield and it's only you and your small private group for the tasting. If you live in HK, why haven't you stopped here and if you live on the island, it's worth the trip. If you are visiting, it's a great unique experience and you will definitely feel the aloha. read more

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Fantastic tour experience. The owner, Dave, is very knowledgeable about the distilling process and has some unquote apparatuses that are the heart of the distilling process. The product is phenomenal. Book a tour! You won't be disappointed if you are curious about distilling. read more

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Such a great tour! Having Veronica, Betty, and Rudy (or Ruth?) - the distiller's dogs - greet and accompany us on the tour was a special touch. I learned how their process is different from other distiller. It's a pretty informative tour. Small operation, but they're growing! In a couple of months, they'll be distilling rum as well. The Hawaiian moonshine is actually pretty smooth. Wasn't expecring that at all; instead, we were expecting something harsh. Also try the Hibiscus Vodka. It mixes well with iced green tea. They only do tours on the weekends; so, go check them out! Reserve a tour spot on their website. read more

A great time and such a cool place! A fun tasting - we will be back!

By far our favorite place to take our family and friends who are visiting. The tasting is a wonderful experience, the staff re humorous and friendly, the vodka is amazing!!! Make sure to put this on you must do list on Oahu! read more

Wonderful vodka and a great tasting experience!! Would highly recommend to anyone! Great use of Hawaiian heritage and local ingredients in delicious vodka. read more

Island Distillers - a variety of alcohol bottles - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Just ran by after picking up a bottle of coconut vodka a few days ago! Their blend is very smooth and works as a stand alone on ice or a mixer. A little pricey but the product is amazing. You can tell the ingredients are of the best quality in every sip. And the dogs are a bonus if you are missing your own pets! I'm a believer! read more

Absolutely loved this place! Enjoyed the tour and tasting. Really nice staff. Definitely coming back! read more

Island Distillers - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Try the coconut rum! Now the review. . . Stumbled across this in the attempt to find something different than the standard Hawaiian tourist destinations. This fit that bill. You need about two hours total for this side trip (travel from Waikiki, tour, and tasting . . . After that is on you) This is not your large distillery/brewery tour. Tour is short (in distance, 1 building) but more informative then large brewery tours I have taken. Island distillery is run by a small business owner with a wealth of knowledge and passion for make quality spirts. He walks you through not only his distilling process but also how his development process for his coconut vodka and his (still in place progress) pineapple vodka. My only complaint is the difficulty to get the product mainland. Picked a few bottles for the luggage and I maybe placing some mail orders in the future. read more

Great tour and excellent spirits. Top shelf all the way! read more

Island Distillers - Fun place! Learned quite a bit and sampled some top shelf vodkas and Okolehao. - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Stopped by to pick up a bottle the other day to support my favorite vodka at the source! They have great products all with a unique flavor profile and a distinctively Hawaiian theme/ ingredients. We're big fans of the coconut vodka. The vodka isn't cheap to begin with but to my surprise it's actually a few bucks more at the distillery vs Foodland or Safeway. So safe to say I'll stick with picking it up at the grocery in the future. It's dangerously delicious though! read more

Island Distillers - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is a tiny one person owned distillery in the mountains of Hawai'i. The owner is the guide and is very nice and well knowledge on his process and the reasons behind each step he takes. This is a great place to come and tour. read more

Island Distillers - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The owner was absolutely amazing and full of knowledge on the process of vodka and rum. Be sure to check and see if they have rum processed to sample. This is a must for your island visit. read more

Dave was awesome. He explained each of his Vodka blends and even gave the recipes to make drinks. I ended up buying the Okolehao 100% and Hibiscus & coconut Vodka. Top notch distillery. Great location. read more

Just went by after receiving a postcard flyer, never knew it was back there. The owner Dave spent 45 minutes with us sharing his variety of hand made batch vodkas. Very enjoyable experience, great welcoming committee (three sweet dogs). Bought the hibiscus vodka and will definitely be back for more. Eagerly awaiting the coffee rum! read more

This place is great! The tour was very informative (a little long) and we loved the hostess with the mostest from south Carolina. She was very interactive and fun! Great conversation!! read more

A hidden gem for sure! Not only was the alcohol great but the presentation great as well. A lot of good info and friendly welcoming atmosphere. read more

Loved this place and the rum was excellent. You also get to taste local honey. We would go back. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we had a great time. read more

Great place that is tucked away on the way to the beach! The hibiscus is one of a kind and the okolehao is amazing! Perfect size pours for tasting! Gotta stop in and stock up! read more

Honestly the Owner and Operator is very Knowledgeable and Passionate about the Fine Vodkas and Moonshine that is produced here. Will definitely come back for the Exclusive products such as the Hibiscus Vodka and Rum. Bought the Moonshine which is Smooth and goes Down Well to warm the Insides of the body. Also bought the Coconut Vodka which is a lower alcohol content but still can give you a great Buzz. This is a informal tour that is great for locals and tourist. Will go back again and hopefully the wood burning oven will be up so if the owner feels for pizza will have to see what he creates. Come tour the Distillery the fee is waived all of April. Was so appreciative that after I paid for the tour was refunded the same day. read more

Great stop to have local small batch vodka. Nice stop while visiting Oahu. Came in for the tasting which is something they just started. Me and my friends all bought the coconut vodka. read more

Five stars doesn't even begin to describe how this tour was!! It was so much fun!! Great experience!! Can't wait to come back!! So enjoyable and beautiful views!! read more

Island Distillers - Super fun!! Relaxing!! And the sweetest ppl with amazing ALOHA spirit!! - Distilleries Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We got the tour from Dave the owner. It was great because he explained everything. We like his dogs Ruby, Veronica and Betty. Nina was a great hostess explained all the vodkas we tasted. I highly recommend the tour and tasting. Will come back next summer. read more

This was good!! The taste is at the end of the tour!! Very informative.. so hang in there!! Come here give it a shot!! :) let me tell you boyyyyyy , theses tasted SO GOOD! There's stickers and cute magnets. Newly up and running tasting room. Very small place, locally owned. I'll probably not want any other vodka. Tbh. Very nice people. These Hapa spirits are the best!! read more

I want to thank Island Distillery for everything they sell. I have yet to try a product that I dislike (I've tried a bunch). Bravo ID...Bravo!! read more

What a great place to go for a visit. The girls wanted to go shopping, so guess what the boys decided to do? Lol. Dave (owner) was terrific. Gave us a nice overview of his business and how the vodka's were made and the samples were great. High quality products and very tasty. Thankfully, a thunderstorm rolled in while we were there and the tasting had to be extended for another 1/2 hour. Unfortunately, the rum's weren't quite ready for market as of yet, but he suspects within the next 1-2 months everything will be ready to go, so early 2019 is an estimated Go-Date. A variety of flavoured rums will be available (chocolate, coffee, etc)., so we'll be back next time for samples of that. Won't be for another year though, since we're from Canada. Definitely worth the trip and enjoyed the scenery/dogs as well! Keep up the great work Dave, and hope to see you next year! read more

We had a great time and enjoyed some tremendous Hawaiian vodka. Jeri was a wonderful hostess and gave us the opportunity to drink their showcased spirits and a number of mixed combinations. We were a bit limited on suitcase weight/room and took advantage of the shipping option for our purchases. Thanks!! read more