144: Adventures in Rum Experimentation at South Africa's Mhoba Distillery

Mhoba Rum and its unique production methods in South Africa are the focus, with founder Robert Greaves and distiller Shaldon Engelbrecht detailing their journey. The initial inspiration from Mauritius, the construction of custom stills, and the evolution toward Jamaican-style rum-making are discussed. Robert emphasizes the role of South Africa's climate and unique sugarcane in shaping Mhoba's character. Eric Kaye of Holmes Key joins to discuss his new Mhoba releases, including a peated rum, and shares insights from his visit to the distillery. The episode explores Mhoba's experimental approach, from alternative energy sources to collaborations, highlighting their commitment to innovation.

Outlines

Part 1: Rumcast Reserve Launch

Part 2: The Mhoba Story and Origins

Part 3: Engineering and Distillery Design

Part 4: Flavor Profile and Terroir

Part 5: Production and Fermentation Techniques

Part 6: Holmes Key Collaborations

Part 7: Specialized Aging and Peated Casks

Part 8: Pineapple Rum and Labeling Challenges

Part 9: Future Outlook and Closing

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The Rumcast

Part 1: Rumcast Reserve Launch

Rumcast Reserve Bottle Announcement and Mhoba Rum Introduction

Rumcast Reserve Bottle Details, Tasting Notes, and Listener Feedback

Lord of the Rings Metaphor, Florida Rum Society Event, and Online Sales

Part 2: The Mhoba Story and Origins

Mhoba Rum Interview Preview: Founder, Distiller, and Holmes Key Perspectives

Robert Greaves' Inspiration: A Wedding in Mauritius and Sugarcane Rum

Meeting Ian Burrell and UK Rum Fest: Validation and Recognition

Richard Seale's "Not Bad" and the UK Rum Fest Experience

Part 3: Engineering and Distillery Design

Building the Distillery: Engineering Background and DIY Philosophy

Still Design: Nixon-Stone Influence and Richard Seale's Advice

Part 4: Flavor Profile and Terroir

Describing Mhoba Rum: A Unique Blend of Jamaican and Agricole Styles

Mhoba's Flavor Profile: Nature, Climate, and Accelerated Maturation

Part 5: Production and Fermentation Techniques

Mhoba's Fermentation Process: Jamaican Principles and Wild Yeast

High Ester Fermentations: Dunder, Cousins Process, and Fruitiness

Part 6: Holmes Key Collaborations

Holmes Key Releases: Peated Rum, Pineapple Infusion, and South Africa Trip

Barrel Selection, Pineapple Rum Genesis, and the Cut of the Cut

Shaldon's Blend, Mhoba's First US Release, and American Industriousness

Part 7: Specialized Aging and Peated Casks

Twin Releases: South African Whiskey and Peated Whiskey Casks

Peated Rum Skepticism and the Mhoba Peated Release

Aging Process and the Evolution of Mhoba's Rum

Shaldon's Molasses Rum and Early Distilling Experience

Part 8: Pineapple Rum and Labeling Challenges

Sihenge Pineapple Rum: No Sugar Added and Natal Queen Pineapple

Improving the Pineapple Rum: Lower ABV Infusion and Real Pineapple Flavor

Sihenge Label Design and TTB Approval Challenges

Part 9: Future Outlook and Closing

Future Plans: High Ester Experiments and Alternative Energy

Call to Action: Try Mhoba Rum and South African Braai

Event Announcements, Contact Information, and Rumcast Reserve Excitement

144: Adventures in Rum Experimentation at South Africa's Mhoba Distillery

The Rumcast

Part 1: Rumcast Reserve Launch

00:10Rumcast Reserve Bottle Announcement and Mhoba Rum Introduction

Rumcast Reserve Bottle Announcement and Mhoba Rum Introduction

00:47Rumcast Reserve Bottle Details, Tasting Notes, and Listener Feedback

Rumcast Reserve Bottle Details, Tasting Notes, and Listener Feedback

04:12Lord of the Rings Metaphor, Florida Rum Society Event, and Online Sales

Lord of the Rings Metaphor, Florida Rum Society Event, and Online Sales

Part 2: The Mhoba Story and Origins

07:55Mhoba Rum Interview Preview: Founder, Distiller, and Holmes Key Perspectives

Mhoba Rum Interview Preview: Founder, Distiller, and Holmes Key Perspectives

13:42Robert Greaves' Inspiration: A Wedding in Mauritius and Sugarcane Rum

Robert Greaves' Inspiration: A Wedding in Mauritius and Sugarcane Rum

17:55Meeting Ian Burrell and UK Rum Fest: Validation and Recognition

Meeting Ian Burrell and UK Rum Fest: Validation and Recognition

20:24Richard Seale's "Not Bad" and the UK Rum Fest Experience

Richard Seale's "Not Bad" and the UK Rum Fest Experience

Part 3: Engineering and Distillery Design

22:45Building the Distillery: Engineering Background and DIY Philosophy

Building the Distillery: Engineering Background and DIY Philosophy

27:21Still Design: Nixon-Stone Influence and Richard Seale's Advice

Still Design: Nixon-Stone Influence and Richard Seale's Advice

Part 4: Flavor Profile and Terroir

33:06Describing Mhoba Rum: A Unique Blend of Jamaican and Agricole Styles

Describing Mhoba Rum: A Unique Blend of Jamaican and Agricole Styles

37:53Mhoba's Flavor Profile: Nature, Climate, and Accelerated Maturation

Mhoba's Flavor Profile: Nature, Climate, and Accelerated Maturation

Part 5: Production and Fermentation Techniques

41:46Mhoba's Fermentation Process: Jamaican Principles and Wild Yeast

Mhoba's Fermentation Process: Jamaican Principles and Wild Yeast

45:20High Ester Fermentations: Dunder, Cousins Process, and Fruitiness

High Ester Fermentations: Dunder, Cousins Process, and Fruitiness

Part 6: Holmes Key Collaborations

51:06Holmes Key Releases: Peated Rum, Pineapple Infusion, and South Africa Trip

Holmes Key Releases: Peated Rum, Pineapple Infusion, and South Africa Trip

53:43Barrel Selection, Pineapple Rum Genesis, and the Cut of the Cut

Barrel Selection, Pineapple Rum Genesis, and the Cut of the Cut

57:29Shaldon's Blend, Mhoba's First US Release, and American Industriousness

Shaldon's Blend, Mhoba's First US Release, and American Industriousness

Part 7: Specialized Aging and Peated Casks

1:00:24Twin Releases: South African Whiskey and Peated Whiskey Casks

Twin Releases: South African Whiskey and Peated Whiskey Casks

1:03:32Peated Rum Skepticism and the Mhoba Peated Release

Peated Rum Skepticism and the Mhoba Peated Release

1:06:37Aging Process and the Evolution of Mhoba's Rum

Aging Process and the Evolution of Mhoba's Rum

1:09:21Shaldon's Molasses Rum and Early Distilling Experience

Shaldon's Molasses Rum and Early Distilling Experience

Part 8: Pineapple Rum and Labeling Challenges

1:11:16Sihenge Pineapple Rum: No Sugar Added and Natal Queen Pineapple

Sihenge Pineapple Rum: No Sugar Added and Natal Queen Pineapple

1:14:50Improving the Pineapple Rum: Lower ABV Infusion and Real Pineapple Flavor

Improving the Pineapple Rum: Lower ABV Infusion and Real Pineapple Flavor

1:18:11Sihenge Label Design and TTB Approval Challenges

Sihenge Label Design and TTB Approval Challenges

Part 9: Future Outlook and Closing

1:20:56Future Plans: High Ester Experiments and Alternative Energy

Future Plans: High Ester Experiments and Alternative Energy

1:25:38Call to Action: Try Mhoba Rum and South African Braai

Call to Action: Try Mhoba Rum and South African Braai

1:26:24Event Announcements, Contact Information, and Rumcast Reserve Excitement

Event Announcements, Contact Information, and Rumcast Reserve Excitement