We first found Ocean Vodka in 2014 when visiting the Big Island. We grabbed a bottle at the Big Island Costco – attracted by the “gluten-free” label on the bottle. Truly gluten-free vodka is hard to find!
Yes it is true that experts state that distillation SHOULD remove all gluten proteins from the alcohol. But I personally choose NOT to be a science experiment. I want gluten-free stuff from the get-go. It’s a risk assessment. Can I lower my risk by grabbing the gluten-free labeled vodka? Yes. No brainer.
I love that Ocean is local to Hawaii but I can also find it at my local Hy-Vee food store in Nebraska. Win Win. Planning our trip to Maui, home of the Ocean Vodka Farm and Distillery, I knew it was a must-do stop.
We visited the farm on our last day which worked out great because we were on our way to the airport, which is not far from the farm. They ask that you reserve your spot for the tour and tasting in advance.
In addition to their award winning sugar cane-based vodka, Ocean has also started making a rum called Hawaiian Sea Spirits. Also included in the tasting. Yay!
The views from this property are amazing. It is situated on 80-acres, right on the slopes of the Haleakala Crater. The landscape captures panoramic views of both the north and south shores of Maui.
We toured the facility, learned about how they make their vodka and how they add deep ocean mineral water (sourced from an aquifer 3,000 feet below sea level off the Big Island) to complete the process.
I love their sustainability pledge AND the reasons behind their unique bottle. Their founder loved these antique japanese fishing floats and then they tilted the bottle to mimic the earths axis. So unique!
Images courtesy of Ocean Vodka
And then on to the tasting! We do love some vodka and it was great how they taught the proper way to taste vodka, with small sips and palate cleansing mineral water in between.
We also tried the rum and it has such great flavor. We brought home a bottle because that is not marketed as widely in the mainland as Ocean Vodka is. This tour and tasting was #SoGood! I would highly recommend you make a stop here when you visit Maui.
