Overview
Brand: Kiyomi
Origin: Helios Distillery Co., Ltd., Nago, Okinawa, Japan
Still: Column
Age: Unaged
Finish: n/a
ABV: 40%
The more one dives into this hobby, the more one realizes that rum production is not restricted to what is typically described as the rum region (the Caribbean), but in fact can be found all across the planet. This is the first Japanese rum I've had the chance to try and/or buy, after it landed in Memphis within the last few years.
Kiyomi is a brand that is produced at the Helios Distillery in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, using molasses from refining sugarcane grown on Okinawa. This molasses base is fermented for 30 days before being sent through the facility's double column still to produce Kiyomi. The rum is then rested in steel tanks for 6 months before bottling unaged at 40% ABV.
Appearance
Clear, medium viscosity
Nose
Apple juice, dill pickles, black olive brine, fresh pineapple, mango
Palate
Fresh pineapple, black olives, mango, dill, vanilla, mint
Finish
Medium length, dry, herbal; dill, freshly-cut grass, pineapple, mint, olive brine, thyme
Rating: 5/10
Summary
Kiyomi is an odd one, in my opinion, but that doesn't mean "bad". Its profile trends towards what I typically ascribe to sugarcane juice-based rums, which could come down to any number of factors like sugarcane strains used and fermentation details.
The nose is heavy apple juice and dill pickles up front, with olive brine joined by fruity pineapple and mango notes. Kiyomi's palate is bright and tangy with pineapple, black olive, mango, dill, mint, and a hint of vanilla bouncing around my taste buds. The medium-length finish is dry and herbal, with more dill, grass, mint, and thyme, while fruity notes like pineapple take a back seat.
It's definitely a unique bottle that offers Japanese representation on the rum shelf. Even if I don't love the rum, it's great to have the option, since there is little access to other Japanese rums like Teeda or the more exclusive Nine Leaves.