Koko Kanu

Koko Kanu offers something a little different, especially to what you expect it to be. From Jamaica, white rum is blended with natural coconut to create the only full strength coconut flavoured rum in the UK. Named in honour of Jamaica’s original inhabitants, the Arawak Indians, and a label that shows the Jamaican national bird – the Doctor Bird, Koko Kanu is marketed toward the premium end of the market.
You may have seen Koko Kanu a little more recently as 2014 has seen a major campaign in the UK, securing listings within the likes of Selfridges as well as venues such as Brown’s and All Bar One. A Christmas campaign is on its way too, aimed to encourage and introduce new drinkers to the brand and coconut rum category. 

So how does it fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes –

Koko Kanu – 37.5%

Soft coconut aromas on the nose with a slight sweetness wrapped around. Silky on the palate with a kick of coconut that creates a long lingering finish. Slight spice develops too.

J Wray and Nephew, the UK distributors, recommend Koko Kanu as part of the classic Piña Colada, but maybe try this instead –

June Bug 

Glass – 

Hurricane

Ingredients – 

25 ml Midori
25 ml Koko Kanu
25 ml Bols – Creme de Bananes
100 ml Pineapple Juice
25 ml Lime Juice
12.5 ml Sugar Syrup

Method – 

Shake the ingredients vigorously and strain into a hurricane glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge.

A rather good tot, personally more for a mixer, but it really does surprise how well it goes neat. Try some, be adventurous  you never know what could be your new favourite spirit.

© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.