Okinawan Rum × Okinawan Ingredients: The Marriage Story of “IE LAB” from Iejima

2026.10.05

In short: IE LAB is the experimental series from IE RUM on Iejima, Okinawa, pairing island rum with island ingredients — IELAB KARAKI, a dry white spiced rum with Okinawan cinnamon, and IELAB JIMAMI, made with Iejima peanuts whose harvest recovered from near-extinction. Plus memories of visiting the distillery. From Bar Little Happiness, Hiroshima.

Today, a special bottle from Iejima, Okinawa.

It is “IE LAB”, the experimental series of “IE RUM” from the Iejima Bussan Center in Okinawa.

Truly a marriage rum, where “Okinawan rum and the island’s ingredients” meet in the best possible way.

The “nankurunaisa” air I felt on Iejima that day

A few years ago, I had the chance to visit the distillery on Iejima.

I still can’t forget the sweetness of the raw syrup they specially let me taste.

At that time, the cask-aged version had not been released yet, but the maturing rum they let me taste was astonishingly delicious…!

To be honest, even though they explained the production process in detail, I was so absorbed in the deliciousness and the island’s sense of freedom that I don’t remember much of the detail (sweat),

but the beautiful, laid-back Okinawan air and that comfortable feeling of “nankurunaisa” (“it’ll all work out”) are still vivid in my heart.

A drink made on an island like that can’t possibly not be delicious!!

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“IELAB KARAKI,” fragrant with Okinawan cinnamon

“Karaki” is Okinawan cinnamon (Cinnamomum sieboldii), a plant that has grown wild on the islands since long ago and is also called “Okinawa’s cinnamon.”

Not only the bark but also the leaves give off a pleasant cinnamon aroma, with a spicy flavour.

The aroma of cinnamon leaf is said to stimulate the mind, lift your mood and make you feel more positive.

It is said to stay by your side when you feel stress, mental fatigue or anxiety, and is also recommended during work when you want to boost motivation and focus.

A gentle yet powerful aroma that seems to support even hearts carrying past regrets or loneliness.

“IELAB JIMAMI,” brewing hope for the island’s revival

And the other one is “Jimami.”

It is the Okinawan word for peanuts.

In fact, Iejima’s peanut harvest fell sharply to just 0.8 tonnes in fiscal 2019, and the crop faced a crisis of survival.

But thanks to the passion of local revitalisation volunteers and farmers, it recovered to 4 tonnes by fiscal 2022 — a remarkable comeback, with more than 100 farms now growing them.

“IELAB JIMAMI” uses those peanuts — “proof of the island’s revival” — to create a unique grainy, mature character. A bottle truly filled with the island’s hope.

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Official tasting comments

“IELAB KARAKI” tasting comments

Citrus aromas of lemon, kumquat and bitter orange rise beautifully. Bright floral aromas of lavender and jasmine, balanced with the fresh scent of hinoki cypress and bay leaf — very fresh. On the palate, the light sweetness of bekko-ame (amber candy), with refreshing orange peel and mint, gradually turning into the heat of horseradish and ginger and the herbal coolness of peppermint and lime leaf. The finish is long, with a very pleasant nuance of karaki (Okinawan cinnamon) lingering at the back of the nose. A dry, spicy Okinawan white spiced rum with a fresh aroma that evokes early spring.

“IELAB JIMAMI” tasting comments

Sweet aromas of coarse sugar, milk caramel and custard cream. The acidity of kokuto (brown sugar) and sake lees, with fresh white peach, apple honey and the humid fruitiness of ripe banana. The mouthfeel is very gentle: the mild sweetness of maltose and dried sweet potato, and the greenness of melon and cucumber, changing into the fresh, sharp taste of freshly ground green sansho pepper and peppermint. From the mid-palate, the rounded graininess of steamed peanuts and kinako (roasted soybean flour) spreads through the mouth, with a very long finish at the back of the nose. An Okinawan white spiced rum — please take your time to enjoy its strangely mature flavour, drawn from jimami (peanuts).

Not just whisky — Little Happiness always has more than 200 rums too.

Please enjoy rum at Little Happiness as well 🥃

Every encounter is meant to be. Welcome to the world of Rum&Whisky.

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