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Another craft distillery is about ready to pop up in
Hawaii.
A Kailua company announced Monday that it
expects to begin producing and selling an American-style whiskey next month.
The company, Ko‘olau
Distillery, is led by friends and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Cols. Eric Dill and Ian Brooks, who describe themselves as whiskey enthusiasts.
“We’re pretty pumped up,” said Dill. “We’re real excited to have a product made here on the island.”
Ko‘olau Distillery plans to turn corn into whiskey that
it will blend with 5-year-old barrel-aged American whiskey. This initial product will be dubbed Old Pali Road Whiskey.
The company expects to produce fewer than 10,000 bottles a year initially, though Dill and Brooks have ideas about expanding into other distilled spirits including vodka, rum and liqueur.
Sales and production are slated to begin subject to a Honolulu Liquor Commission license expected next month. The company also plans to provide tours and tasting events at its facility
in Kapaa Industrial Park.
Dill, who is 47 and on active duty with the Marines, said a fascination with the science and art of whiskey-making was part of why he established the business with Brooks, who is 43 and in the Marine Corps Reserves. The two friends live in Windward Oahu and have been stationed in Hawaii several times during their military careers, which included
combat. A third partner is beverage industry sales veteran Heather Pence.
Ko‘olau Distillery becomes the latest in a growing niche of craft distilleries around the state that include several rum and vodka producers but not much in the way of whiskey makers. On Maui, Hali‘imaile Distilling Co. makes a blended whiskey based on Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Dill and Brooks said they believe they will be the only producer of aged, amber whiskey on Oahu.
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