Coconut Wine, Should you?

I must begin by saying it has taken me some time to get to the task of writing this blog review. I had seen this product for a few years on Maui and the Big Island and admit since it is made with the collaboration of the Institut Oenologique de Champagne France, I simply had to try it. Royal Chief Kahal or Coconut wine.

Here is what I imagined the taste would be, light bubbly coconut water with a hint of honey sweetness and just a bit of toasted almond to balance it. Sadly this was not to be. I could not find any serious reviews of this product or even what it ‘s flavour profile is supposed to be so to be fair I am assuming my bottle was off; that or like certain liqueurs you have to be raised with them. I am talking about Soju from South Korea that made me think, so that is what formaldehyde tastes like, Arak from Lebanon that I truly think could kill any bacteria in your body or Screech from Canada which only burns a little bit. 

I began this tasting as I do all tastings by making sure the bottle was properly chilled to a white wine temperature and no damage was visible. Then I twisted off the top of the made to look like a coconut plastic, yes plastic bottle. The first thing that hit me was the strong scent of acetone with what can only be described as dirty socks and freshly tilled soil. I then proceeded to poor a tasting for all present as wine really is meant to be shared. We all took a sip and are taste buds were assaulted by a dry sherry taste with acetone and dirt. We tried to find even one redeeming quality or at least get through the glass and were even concerned that if we threw it on the grass the “wine” may kill it. We admitted defeat and actually returned the bottle assuming it was off.

The ladies at the ABC store’s eyes watered when I walked in with the overpowering aroma of acetone remaining on the sealed wine bottle. They agreed that it must be off although neither had ever tried this product. So if you are feeling brave or simply want a wine that will give you some great stories, go ahead and pick up a bottle the next time you are in the Islands.