About
Aloha and e komo mai to Inu A Kena! Inu a kena translates from the Hawaiian to “drink until satisfied” or “drink to quench thirst”. It seems a fitting title for a blog where I try to quench a thirst for knowledge about fine spirits and craft cocktails.
I’m Josh, your intrepid blog host. I’m a spirit and cocktail enthusiast living on an island in the the San Francisco Bay. By day I sell desalination and other water treatment systems for use in large industrial settings. By night, I switch from water to spirits, spending much of my time in my home bar dubbed Josh’s Okole Maluna* Lounge.
I’m a graduate of Bar Smarts Advanced, and I hold a Spirits Professional certification as a member of the United States Bartender’s Guild, Northern California Chapter . I care about responsible alcohol consumption, and have completed the Level Two California Responsible Beverage Training course. I also have an MBA, which I hope to use in the spirits business one day.
Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram, “Like” Inu a Kena on Facebook, and keep coming back!
Mahalo nui loa,
Josh
*Okole maluna is a colloquial phrase–don’t repeat it to a Hawaiian kupuna, as s/he may take offense to its literal translation. Fortunately I learned this from a friend who was a Hawaiian Studies major, and not a ticked off Hawaiian elder 🙂 A muted version of bottoms up would be “huli pau”, which means to capsize or “flip over and be done”.
Inu A Kena 
Fantastic site! I’ve been looking for a good rum resource for a while, so I’m really glad you commented on our rum post. So much good information! Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Jon. Cheers!
Howzit Brah? I lived on Oahu back in the 80’s working as a dj at KPOI FM. Nothing like a cocktail on the beach at sunset, and after a graveyard shift, at sunrise. Nice info here, I’ll check back often. Mahalo.
DJ Mal
Mahaloz, DJ Mal!
Aloha Josh, I just stumbled to your website. Great reviews/collections. I just purchased a bottle of Appleton 12yr and Ron Zacapa 23yr and I was wondering if I made a good decision. I’m originally from O’ahu now living near Seattle. I’m a big fan of Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, Japanese, and other work whiskeys (~150 bottles). I just started my journey into rums (8 bottles). Thanks for posting all of your review to help me make my purchasing decisions.
Mahalo, Keoni
E komo mai, Keoni, and mahalo for your kind words! If you like the drier end of things, I would seek out the Brugal 1888. You may also want to try the aged agricoles from Martinique such as Clement. If you’re near Tacoma, visit Tacoma Cabana for a great rum selection. In Seattle proper, try Rumba on Pike Street. Cheers!
Aloha Josh!
Currently living in Lucky Bennett’s old place in Kailua Kona…much rum flowing around here.
Current favorites are Mocambo and Pyrat….25 more in the wings..
Bottoms Up!
Wow! You are one lucky buggah, Jamie! Enjoy tonight’s green flash on the lanai for me. Huli pau!
Dude — what an awesome site and excellent writing !! I’m so fortunate that I stumbled onto this blog looking for Goombay Smash. I will surely try your recommended version along with a few of my own over the 4th of July week. But I must admit — after having well over a gallon of the true authentic recipe from Ms Violet herself — there can not possibly be a substitution for the real thing — only a sad imitation. I will continue to solicit my contacts at Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas to get the true scoop on ingredients. Your article on coconut rum will assist greatly — as that is the key ingredient for Smash (along with good white and dark rum). I have enjoyed reading all your articles and reviews. Look forward to many more. Thanks
Cheers
Wow–big mahalos for the props! Glad you’re enjoying the site. Plenty more to come! Cheers
I was trying to find information on the Kendall Plantation in Barbados. Your site is what the computer transulated my request into. Where can I find the history and family information?
Thank you very much. Patricia Kendall Stroud
Sorry, but I’m of no help to you, Patricia. I suspect Google brought you here because of my review of Plantation Barbados 5 Year-Old Rum.
Just stumbled on your site from a link on Alcademics, great site man. My wife and I do reviews as well, just wanted to say keep it up.
Cheers,
Alex
Thanks, Alex–cheers!
Great site. I am new to but already obsessed with rum. Do you know anything about the Tasters’ Rum of the Month Club? As I already have been all over SF looking for/finding rums I’ve read about, club doesn’t seem worth it but curious as to what you think.
Also, so far I’ve been buying at K & L, D & M, Blackwell’s, & BevMo. Any other suggestions for good rum stores in SF or Berkeley? THANKS
Thanks, Tendrella! Don’t know anything about the rum of the month club. Other good retail rum selections in the area include Ledger’s on University in Berkeley, Alchemy Bottle Shop on Grand Ave in Oakland, Cask at College and Alcatraz, the Jug Shop on Pacific in SF, Bitters and Bottles in South City, and if you ever get to the Peninsula, Beltramo’s in Menlo Park is worth a stop. And then for online orders, check out http://www.hitimewine.net/RUM/. They deliver up to a case overnight within CA for $12! Cheers
Awesome. Thank you for the suggestions. So glad I stumbled onto your blog! Cheers!
I found you by googling “best cachaca.” Thank you Brazil olympics opening ceremonies for bringing you popularity. I run “The Heathen,” my own backyard tiki bar in Pleasanton.
Cheers, Brian!