91Ö±²¥

About a year ago the state of 91Ö±²¥ had 15 distilleries, counting both craft and commercial producers. Only one was here on the Big Island. That one was the 12th in the state and 12th 91Ö±²¥ Distillery is using local products to make distilled beverages today, right here in Kona!

I recently visited 12th 91Ö±²¥ Distiller to find out what they were doing and to “test the water.” I discovered they have a unique policy of using ingredients that are locally grown here on the Big Island. Their transformation from water to distilled beverage is totally based on the use of local honey as the carbohydrate or sugar required for the process.

All distilled beverages start with sugar and yeast which ferments into ethanol or alcohol. The distillation process that follows concentrates the alcohol in the fermented beverage into the products that 12th Distiller produces.

David Puckett, president and distiller, started experimenting with distilled spirits after retiring from his day job in 2010. By 2017 he had started producing Honeyshine which is a beverage made from honey and yeast and distilled four times.

Their honey source is 100% pure 91Ö±²¥an wildflower honey and varies slightly in flavor based on the season and the flowers in bloom. Though the flavor differences exist in the beverage, they are only barely detectable in Honeyshine.

During my visit, Dave enthusiastically described his beverages as we sat in the tasting room and tried small sips of each one.

At the outset, he made it clear, “I am totally dedicated to using ingredients from the Big Island in all of my beverages.”

We first tasted Honeyshine. Though it takes 2.5 pounds of honey to create a single bottle of this spirit, the result is not sweet and carries only a slight honey flavor and it is a powerful 100 proof.

Next. we tasted his 91Ö±²¥an Vodka. Instead of the traditional grains or potatoes, Dave chose to use local purple sweet potatoes in addition to honey in creating a crisp, clean vodka at 80 proof.

After perfecting his unique vodka, Dave chose to create some new beverages. Both the Kona Cacao and Kona Coffee Spirits contain the subtle flavors of these locally grown ingredients from Lavaloha Farms.

Dave makes each of these by soaking cacao and coffee beans, respectively, in his Honeyshine. These additions add detectably pleasant flavor notes to the resulting beverages.

His latest product is called Distiller’s Reserve and clocks in 92 proof. This is a bit higher than most commercial whiskeys, so I asked Dave how it was classified.

His response was quick, “It’s moonshine.”

I have to say, this mellow flavored “moonshine” was my favorite in the tasting. The spirit is finished in American while oak barrels with kiawe wood added which certainly creates its distinct taste.

When I asked Dave about his plans for future creations, he said he was working on a brandy made from tropical fruit. The cost of the fruit and the two-year barrel aging requirement means development is moving slowly.

Over the years, his beverages have received awards in Honey Spirits Competitions. Look for the awards behind the display of the beverage bottles offered for sale.

The tasting room is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to a $10 tasting fee, you can also purchase any of their own recipes of cocktails made from their spirits.

After tasting his spirits, Dave was willing to show me his distillation operation. Thanks to his generous offer, I was able to see his equipment and learn more about the art of distilling.

I was particularly interested in the distillers he had made as well as his bottling machine. I was especially impressed with the large supply of honey he had on hand as well as the stacked American oak barrels which were aging his Distiller’s Reserve.

Dave reported that before distilling each beverage he ferments the yeast and honey for a week. In his 45- gallon still he can produce 50-60 bottles of a spirit a day, which he either bottles on site the same day or ages in oak barrels for before bottling.

Though his is a small operation, he has been able to expand his distribution recently. In addition to purchasing any of his five products at the distillery, you might find some of them in town at Kona Wine Market or at Choice Mart in Captain Cook. Recently, Kamuela Liquor Store in Waimea has agreed to carry his products as well.

Finding a distillery hidden in units 1-5 in the Kaahumanu Plaza shopping center at 74-5657 Kaiwi St. was quite a surprise. Learning about Dave’s dedication to using local ingredients and experiencing his enthusiasm about his process and his products made the visit a delight.

Call them at (808) 731-7340 to make a reservation and learn for yourself how 12th 91Ö±²¥ Distiller turns local honey into tasty spirits.

Gardening events

2026 Coffee and Orchard Crops Webinars with live Q&A. If you missed his or any previous presentations you can find them on the Kona Extension YouTube channel.

Information on flooding and farm food safety: View on UH CTAHR Google Drive at tinyurl.com/3m6upwdm.

Current: “Kona typica” grafted trees available for purchase. First come, first served basis. 20 “Kona typica” grafted (on C. liberica rootstock) trees are available for $15 each.

Tissue cultured “Ito” trees available at $15 each. Contact Andrea at andreak@hawaii.edu if you are interested.

Still available: CLR Resistant Coffee Trees. Go to youtu.be/11-vtPT2jRU or call (808) 322-4892.

Continuing: Ka‘u Coffee Farm Field Day Events, in person in Ka‘u, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 25 (R&G Farmspear tree location). Mid-season sanitation and desuckering field day.

A free event. Lunch included for registrants. Spanish translator on site. Register at www.91Ö±²¥CoffeeEd.com/kau. Contact Matt at (808) 322-0164 with questions.

Monday, May 18: Disaster assistance and crop insurance programs webinar from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join on Zoom at https://bit.ly/4ebUF5r. Meeting ID: 890 7750 2827. Supportive information for those affected by Kona low storms.

Ungoing Tuesdays May 2026 through April 2027: “E Ulu Kakou” on Zoom at 5:30 p.m.Register at https://go.hawaii.edu/iR3. Recorded on YouTube channel https://go.hawaii.edu/KKi. Questions at ugc@hawaii.edu or call for full schedule (808) 453-6050.

Save the date: June 14-20, 17th Annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival. Go to KauCoffeeFestival.com for more information.

Farmer direct markets

Wednesday: Ho‘oulu Farmers Market at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay.

Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center. Information on their online market at keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket.

Kamuela Farmer’s Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables.

Waimea Town Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea.

Waimea 91Ö±²¥stead Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea Middle and Elementary School playground.

Sunday: Pure Kona Green Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook.

Hamakua Harvest, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka‘a.

Plant advice lines

Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu

Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, (808) 322-4893. Or walk in Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Konohana in Hilo, (808) 981-5199.

Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on Oahu and working part time in Kona.