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Rum Runner Press, Inc.
Kahakai Tiki Banana Spiced Rum
Paul Senft reviews Kahakai Tiki Banana Spiced Rum in the "Angel's Share" section of the 2014 February issue of "Got Rum?" magazine.
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Paul Senft
Kahakai Tiki Banana Spiced Rum
Kahakai Tiki Banana Spiced Rum is a unique new offering to the market place as I am not sure I have seen this combination used before. Blended to 70 proof, the product uses a combination of rums, natural flavors, spices and added caramel for color.
Appearance/Presentation
The 750 ml bottle has a plastic cap sealed with a yellow tropically designed neck wrap. Much easier to open than the Kahiki Spiced, I was relieved that I did not have to crack out a knife to get to the rum.
The foil label provides a nice visual pop to the logo and accents to the art work but when out of the light the Lono character and jungle scene are a bit dark. However, the yellow of the logo and Banana Spiced title balance nicely with each other.
The liquid in the bottle and glass has copper and cinnamon hues. Agitating the glass creates a razor thin ring with legs that race down the glass. The ring then transforms into thick beads that cling to the side of the glass and hang there.
Nose
The warm Banana note is strong, steady, and dominates the aroma. It reminds me of banana pudding and raises my curiosity about the flavor.
Palate
The entry of the rum is a creamy wash of banana, vanilla, cinnamon, and baking spices. The bite of the low congener rum nips sharply around the edges as the sweetness of the liquid fades in a vanilla flavored finish.
Review
This rum reminds me so much of banana pudding it was sort of interesting to drink straight. The immaturity of the rum definitely falls in line with other ingredient rums and that is where things will get tricky for the imbiber. I am sure the flavors are some combination of natural and artificial ingredients so care must be taken when building a drink with it. I mixed it with some vanilla almond milk and it reminded me of a spicy banana sundae. The company recommends that it be used in a Banana Daiquiri.
Overall this is not a dynamic rum and delivers exactly what is promised on the label. Fun in its simplicity and at around $13.99 to $14.99 a bottle, Kahakai Banana Spiced rum is a good product to experiment and create with.
Review by Mr. Paul Senft:
Mr. Senft currently serves as owner of www.rumjourney.com. He has a passion for rum and traveling. He has dedicated himself to describing to his readers about his travels through the Caribbean Islands and writing rum reviews. When he is not reviewing a rum, he is hard at work at trying different cocktail recipes.