At Hali’imaile Distillery Tour & Tasting Room, they proudly produce handcrafted spirits infused with the essence of Hawaii – and invite everyone in to see how it’s done. Their whirlwind tour takes you through every last step of the distilling process, showing off their passion for excellence. Then, their tasting room experience lets you sip on their top creations, plus buy whatever bottles you’d like to enjoy later on.
To start this journey, you just have to sign up for their tour online through their website. They welcome both adults and kids to see how their process works, although the under 21 crowd has to wait outside during the tasting experience. If you’re over 21, you’ll get three samples to try at the end of the tour, so you can savor the magic one shot at a time.
On your tour date, you’ll just need to jet on over to their Makawao distillery and sign in. After that, a knowledgeable guide will offer alohas all around, and then lead you through their precise process. To start, you’ll take an in-depth look at all the effort put into finding the freshest local ingredients for all their Hawaiian spirits. Then, you’ll learn how they distill the ingredients in small batches before mixing them with fresh spring water.
After that, you’ll go into the tasting room for your samples. Your guide will tell you the story behind each of the spirits you taste, while talking about the rich history of the distillery. If you fall in love with any of their selections, you can shop around for bottles to purchase. They have many excellent spirits available at all times, including Pau Maui Vodka, Mahina Premium Rum, and Paniolo Blended Whiskey.
If you want to show off your love for their distillery on all your travels, pick up some of their swag as well. Branded t-shirts, shot glasses, and more are all available for your purchase. You can even bring home a few extra items as gifts for your friends and family back home.
Their top products include:
Paniolo Blended Whiskey
A true local favorite, the Paniolo Blended Whiskey boasts all the best flavors of Upcountry Maui while putting the focus on their ultra-luscious pineapple. Then, sweet brown sugar and caramel flavors come through at the end, creating a smooth finish that’s sure to delight.
Fid Street Hawaiian Gin
Their ever-popular Fid Street Hawaiian Gin has a complex flavor profile all its own, allowing it to stand out when combined with tropical mixers. At first sip, the juniper notes come through, followed by bright citrus flavors that dance across the tongue.
Mahina Premium Rum
Mahina Premium Rum comes on strong with a bold kick of Kona coffee and then tapers off with warmer notes throughout. The rich essence of cocoa, Madagascar vanilla, and cinnamon follow the coffee, giving way to cloves and citrus at the very end.
If you find yourself wanting their spirits upon returning home, you can usually find them for sale online through both ReserveBar and Founders49. Many local stores carry them as well, including Safeway, ABC Stores, and Don Quijote. Want to send a bottle as a memorable gift? Order through ReserveBar and select the custom engraving option. They will engrave a personal message on the bottle before delivery, ensuring your gift makes a big impact upon arrival.
Insider Tips:
-They only accept credit cards – no cash allowed.
-Hawaii State law prohibits them from giving out more than three samples to each person on the tour.
-Bring your ID to your tour or you won’t be allowed to come inside.
-Plan for the distillery tour and tasting experience to last about 45 minutes tops.
-Need to cancel your tour booking? Give them at least 24 hours’ notice to get a full refund.
-Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. If you’re even a little bit late, they may cancel your spot without a refund.