Savanna distillery

Introduction to Savanna Distillery

A distillery with passion for craft

Savanna is a renowned rum distillery located on Réunion Island, an overseas French department in the Indian Ocean. Nestled among the sugarcane fields of Bois-Rouge in the northern part of the island, Savanna has established itself as one of the world’s most innovative and respected rum producers. The distillery combines traditional craftsmanship with bold experimentation to create spirits that captivate enthusiasts around the globe.

Situated in a unique volcanic terroir, Savanna benefits from the island’s exceptional growing conditions, which lend a distinctive character to its sugarcane and ultimately to its rums.

Why we have a soft spot for Savanna

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries that push boundaries while honoring tradition, and Savanna exemplifies this perfectly. Their commitment to diverse fermentation techniques and unusual cask finishes has resulted in some of the most characterful and expressive rums on the market.

Savanna’s willingness to preserve the intense aromas of their distillates through high-ester rums and minimal filtration ensures that each bottle tells a story of both place and process – something we deeply value in the spirits we select.

The History Behind Savanna

Origin and development

Savanna Distillery was established in 1948, though rum production on Réunion Island dates back to the 17th century. Originally situated in Saint-Paul on the western coast of the island, the distillery was relocated to its current site in Bois-Rouge in the 1990s, where it operates alongside a sugar factory.

The modern era of Savanna began when it was acquired by Groupe Tereos in the early 2000s, which initiated a renaissance in both quality and innovation. Since then, the distillery has gained international recognition for its diverse range of agricultural and traditional rums.

The people behind

Today, Savanna is guided by master distiller Laurent Broc, whose technical expertise and creative vision have helped define the distillery’s distinctive approach. Under his stewardship, Savanna has developed a loyal following among rum connoisseurs who appreciate the distillery’s commitment to transparency and flavor-forward expressions.

The team at Savanna shares a deep respect for Réunion’s rum-making traditions while embracing modern techniques that enhance and diversify their portfolio.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Savanna produces several styles of rum, each with its own production method. Their agricultural rums (rhum agricole) are made directly from fresh sugarcane juice, while their traditional rums use molasses as the base material.

What truly sets Savanna apart is their approach to fermentation, which ranges from quick 24-hour processes to extended fermentations lasting up to 10 days. These longer fermentations, combined with their use of proprietary yeasts, create the intensely aromatic “grand arôme” rums for which the distillery is famous.

Distillation takes place in both column stills for lighter rums and pot stills for their more robust expressions. Savanna’s pot still distillates are particularly prized for their concentration of flavor and remarkable ester content.

Maturation and aging

Aging at Savanna is carried out in a variety of cask types, from ex-bourbon American oak to French oak and an impressive array of wine and spirits casks. The tropical climate of Réunion accelerates the maturation process, with the island’s heat and humidity creating intense interaction between the spirit and wood.

The distillery has become renowned for its experimental cask finishes, including cognac, whisky, port, and even more exotic options like Moscatel or Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Each barrel imparts unique characteristics that complement the rum’s inherent profile.

Many of Savanna’s most sought-after releases are single cask bottlings, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the pure expression of a specific barrel’s influence.

Selected Products from Savanna

Savanna Traditionnel – An introduction to the house style

The Traditionnel range, made from molasses, offers an excellent entry point into Savanna’s style. With a balanced profile featuring notes of tropical fruit, light spice, and subtle grassiness, these approachable rums showcase the distillery’s expertise without overwhelming newcomers.

The clean, precise character of these rums makes them versatile for both sipping and mixing in premium cocktails.

Savanna HERR (High Ester Rum Réunion) – An experience for connoisseurs

For those seeking the extraordinary, Savanna’s HERR series represents the distillery at its most distinctive. These high-ester rums feature intense aromatic profiles with stunning concentration of fruit notes, including overripe banana, pineapple, mango, and exotic spices.

Bottled at cask strength and with minimal filtration, HERR expressions offer a full-bodied, oily texture and long, complex finish that challenges and rewards experienced rum enthusiasts. These are truly exceptional spirits that showcase rum’s remarkable diversity and potential.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Savanna Distillery welcomes visitors to Réunion Island with guided tours that provide insight into their production methods. Guests can explore the entire process from sugarcane to glass, with special attention to the distillery’s unique fermentation techniques and diverse aging cellar.

The tasting experience typically includes samples from across Savanna’s portfolio, allowing visitors to compare different styles, ages, and cask influences. For rum enthusiasts planning a trip to the Indian Ocean, Savanna represents an essential destination to understand the fascinating intersection of French rum traditions with tropical terroir.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Savanna Distillery?

Savanna is a rum distillery located on Réunion Island that produces both agricultural rum (from sugarcane juice) and traditional rum (from molasses). They’re particularly known for their high-ester rums, long fermentations, and innovative cask finishes that create complex, aromatic spirits with distinctive character.

Where is Savanna Distillery located?

Savanna Distillery is situated in Bois-Rouge on the northern coast of Réunion Island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. This tropical location provides ideal growing conditions for sugarcane and accelerated maturation for their aging rum stocks.

What characterizes Savanna rum?

Savanna rums are characterized by their aromatic intensity, transparency in production methods, and diverse range of expressions. Their high-ester rums deliver remarkable fruit-forward profiles, while their experimental cask program creates unique flavor combinations. The distillery is known for labeling bottles with detailed information about distillation dates, cask types, and even ester levels for true enthusiasts.

Where can I buy rum from Savanna Distillery?

You can find selected bottles from Savanna Distillery at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their portfolio to include both their core expressions and limited single cask releases, ensuring you have access to the best that this innovative distillery has to offer.