In this episode of Distilling the West, Dan and Dave head to the islands—virtually—where they sit down with Tiffany Tubon and Nick Sadowski of Kō Hana Rum, crafting exceptional agricole-style rum in Kunia, Hawaii.

Kō Hana is redefining American rum by starting at the source—growing and harvesting their own sugarcane, then pressing it fresh to create a spirit that truly reflects the land. Tiffany and Nick share the story behind their farm-to-bottle approach, the challenges of cultivating heirloom cane varieties in Hawaii, and what sets their rum apart from traditional molasses-based styles.

Along the way, Dan and Dave taste through three of Kō Hana’s standout expressions:

• Kea – a vibrant, unaged rum that captures the pure essence of fresh cane juice

• Koa – aged in native koa wood barrels, bringing a uniquely Hawaiian character to the spirit

• Kokoleka – a rich, indulgent infusion of cacao and honey that blurs the line between rum and dessert

From terroir-driven production to innovative aging techniques, this episode dives deep into what makes Kō Hana Rum one of the most exciting craft distilleries in the country.