The Mana’o is an organic Tahitian rhum agricole that is very good, it’s based on a single cane variety (r(h)ums are most of the time based on juice and/or molasses from multiple varieties) called Otaïti which is local and was even the most commonly cultivated in the world during the 19th century but then went out of favor and almost extinct until they decided to “revive” it around 2010 to make rhum.
It’s similar to some great Haïtian Clairin in both nose and taste.
The nose initially smells like Williams peer alcohol (which i love) but also with some hint of plum alcohol and some celery and a smokey feel.
It is dry (like it should be !), has a fruity cane taste and hints of vanilla and pear (and maybe a little cocoa), it’s not as complex as a good aged rhum but it’s great sipper.
On a comparison to more common white non-sipper rhum agricole, it doesn’t have any fresh cut grass and ripe plum taste notes, both the nose and the taste evocates more of a fruit eau-de-vie (which it technically is).
When kept evaporating on the glass it’s leaning way more on the plum side
Greatly recommended.
The Hinano beer... well, it’s a very “light” beer that is similar to a Peroni Nastro Azzuro, not (very) tasty but easy to drink (soda like), i quite like that (i also like good ones, don’t worry).
What are you drinking tonight?