Rum MHOBA Select Release White
MHOBA Select Release White is a rum produced only with sugar cane juice of the “Nkomazi” variety growing in the small village of Malalane. You will always find the sugar cane lot used and the harvest period on the label. All the canes are grown on the land of the family estate. This distillery uses this type of cane for the full flavour and character it gives to the rum.
The Tasting
This run is transparent and brilliant; the nose perceives the earthy and vegetal scent that leaves room for fresh fruit and turmeric. It is well balanced on the palate with pleasant notes of apricot, mint and white pepper. The finish is long and once again recalls apricot and herbaceous sensations.
It is a shame to use this rum to create cocktails; we recommend tasting MHOBA Pot Stilled High Ester neat with ice combined with dark chocolate.
The Mhoba Rum Distillery and its history
We are in South Africa; the distillery takes its name “Mhoba” (which in the local dialect means sugar cane) from the Greaves family estate, who have been growing sugar cane since the 80s.
We are close to the Makhonwja mountains, near Malalane, the most important sugar cane production area in South Africa. The idea of a distilling run came to Robert, the owner’s son; after studying mechanical engineering and gaining experience abroad, he returned home and tried to develop a dream.
As a mechanical engineer, Robert built himself everything necessary (even the stills); in 2013, he produced his first rum. In 2015, he obtained the license to run on a commercial scale, and we can say the distillery’s climb to success began.
Interestingly, MHOBA produces pure Agricole-style single-origin rum from sugar cane juice and not molasses like other distilleries do, but using only organic sugar cane grown on the estate.
Robert describes his rum as pure and unique, and it can be compared to a single malt whisky. Mhoba Rum is handcrafted in a still without adding colourings, flavourings or sugar.