Savanna
Savanna Rum is one of the most celebrated and innovative distilleries on Île de la Réunion, the French volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. Founded in the mid-19th century and situated on the historic Bois Rouge estate in Saint-André, Savanna boasts a legacy spanning over 150 years, blending French tradition, unique island terroir, and a pioneering spirit. The distillery crafts both agricole (made from cane juice) and traditional (molasses-based) rums, building a diverse portfolio acclaimed for its expressive character, quality, and creativity.
Terroir & Raw Materials
Sugarcane is cultivated locally on Réunion Island, often on fields adjacent to the distillery, ensuring maximum freshness and a deep, unmistakable expression of terroir. The mineral-rich volcanic soils and tropical microclimates impart distinctive qualities to the cane, and ultimately, to the rum.
Savanna is one of the rare distilleries to master both cane juice (agricole-style) and molasses-based rums, allowing for a breadth of flavor profiles and experimentation unmatched on the island.
Production relies on traditional copper Savalle column stills—an iconic French design—used for many of the rums. This equipment, alongside pot stills for select releases, allows Savanna to create both classic and avant-garde spirits.
Production Methods & Styles
Savanna is renowned for its experimental production methods, particularly long fermentations and the cultivation of high-ester content. These techniques give certain rums a bold, funky, and exuberantly fruit-forward style. The celebrated Savanna HERR (High Ester Rum Reunion) line is especially noted for its exceptionally high ester counts, resulting in intense aromatic profiles and unaged (traditional) styles that thrill rum enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
The Savanna portfolio is remarkably broad: from Blanc (agricole/cane juice white) rums and aged expressions (5, 6, 10 years and older), to vintage single cask editions, rare “Grand Arôme” high-ester styles, and very high ABV “Straight” or “Intense” bottlings. The distillery is also recognized for its “Wild Island” and experimental, limited releases, many of which are highly sought after by aficionados.
Flavor & Character
Unaged, high-ester, and molasses-based rums from Savanna explode with aromas and flavors of intense tropical fruit—overripe bananas, pineapple, lychee—layered with signature funk, herbal, and briny undertones, and high esters. Enthusiasts often note hints of olive brine and “solvent” notes, which form part of the appeal for high-ester rum lovers.
Aged and barrel-finished rums offer a harmonious blend of wood, warming spice, vanilla, and lingering sugarcane sweetness—sometimes accented by subtle notes of dried or stewed fruit. These expressions balance bold oak influence with high ABV and finesse, evolving beautifully in the glass.
Heritage, Innovation & Identity
Savanna stands as one of Réunion Island’s three flagship distilleries—alongside Rivière du Mât and Isautier. It is widely revered for its willingness to innovate and push the boundaries of rum-making on the island.
Guided by master distillers such as Laurent Broc, Savanna is at the forefront of experimentation, exploring diverse barrel types, aging regimes (including vintage, single cask, and “Wild Island” editions), and continually pushing the envelope with their signature high-ester “Grand Arôme” style. This spirit of innovation has placed Savanna among the most exciting and collectible rum producers globally.
