Hawaii’s First & Only Distilled Honey Spirit
At Mānoa Honey & Mead, our passion has always been guided by the gentle hum of the hive and a deep reverence for the Hawaiian ʻāina (land). From raw, single-origin honey to crisp craft meads, our journey has been one of continuous discovery - stretching honey’s boundaries and celebrating the infinite possibilities tucked within every drop of golden nectar.
Now, after years of dedication, trial, and alchemy, we are humbled to introduce our most elevated product evolution yet: Honey Spirit, Hawaii’s very first distilled spirit capturing the true essence of Hawaiian honey.
If you are exploring the islands in search of unique alcoholic beverages in Hawaii, distinct craft spirits, or an authentic taste of local terroir, consider this your warm invitation to sample something truly extraordinary.
From Hive to Barrel: The Story Behind the Spirit
A beautiful harmony rises to the finest spirit. The story of Honey Spirit begins deep within the hive, during our careful beeswax processing, which goes through gentle toasting and as a result, enriched in color. Afterwards, we captured the raw honey that clings naturally to the comb through our craft handling.
Rather than letting this golden element go to waste, we uncovered its higher purpose: transforming it through natural fermentation into an expression that transcends conventional liquor boundaries.
Crafted in Collaboration with Kō Hana Rum
To turn this vision into reality, we joined forces with our friends at Kō Hana Distillery, renowned makers of Hawaiian farm-to-bottle rum. Honey Spirit is carefully distilled and aged in charred American Oak barrels for over two years before being bottled at 43.0% ABV.
The result? A spirit that delighted us far beyond our wildest imagination - delivering warm honeyed notes, rich oak complexity, and a sophisticated flair that lingers gently on the palate.
What Makes Hawaiian Honey Spirit So Unique?
When visitors and locals search for must-try drinks or local artisan spirits in Oahu, they often encounter traditional Hawaiian rums or craft beers. Honey Spirit stands in a class entirely of its own.
100% Local Terroir: Born from island blossoms, gathered by our bees, and distilled right here on Oahu.
Sustainable Crafting: Upscaling precious honey captured during beeswax processing turns every harvest into a zero-waste celebration of nature.
Barrel-Aged Elegance: Two-plus years in American oak imparts velvety vanilla, toasted spice, and smooth caramel undercurrents that pair effortlessly with the natural honey base.
Set the Vibe: The Honey Spirit Fireside Session
Great craft spirits are meant to be savored slowly. To elevate your sipping experience beyond taste buds, we’ve paired Honey Spirit with a low-key soundtrack designed for relaxed evenings under the stars or warm fireside gatherings.
Curated by DJ Look, this chill mix of low-key beats and warm jazz grooves sets the perfect backdrop for your first pour of Honey Spirit.
Looking for more ambient tracks? Explore our full collection of Mānoa Mead Playlists.
Visit Us & Taste the Hive's Highest Evolution
Whether you are dropping by our Wahiawa Honey House on your way to the North Shore or catching up with friends at The Honey Bar Kaimukī, we can't wait for you to try Honey Spirit.
Product: Honey Spirit (43.0% ABV)
Tasting Options: Available by the glass for tasting at both locations and exclusive cocktails crafted with Honey Spirit only at The Honey Bar.
Bottle Availability: Available for purchase at our Wahiawa Honey House only at this time as we await our permit at The Honey Bar!
Come experience how honey can fly.
Mahalo for sharing this journey with us!
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street view I love how you’re blending traditional Hawaiian practices with modern distilling. Do you think you'll experiment with different honey varieties in future batches?