Our destinations... Reunion Island Mauritius Island Beijing - China

Your Travel Guide

Reunion Island

The Bois Rouge sugar refinery, one of the two last sugar factories of the island, provides the Savanna distillery with a product able to create a real delight for the palate of those longing for local specialities: rum.
The Savanna distillery (named that way because it used to be located in Savanna, in the Western part of the island), has been transferred to the site of Bois Rouge in 1992. Since that time it has continued to surprise people by the quality of its rums which taste remains quite unique. On site visit.

“If you behave, you will be able to taste our best rums after the visit.” . These are the words of the official tour guide of the Savanna distillery. An exceptional place where Reunion Island agricultural and traditional rums are manufactured and bottled. This liquor with a divine taste holds a history, a culture and a preparation in its amber or crystalline colour. Everything began in 1992 when Savanna rum distillery was transferred to the North, near the Bois Rouge sugar refinery. Modernization of the equipments has allowed this distillery to be born again in order to propose the whole world a rum with a unique flavour. Today, thanks to its global spread (certified to ISO 9002), the Savanna distillery produces its own brands: Savanna and Cap Savanna. It provides several varieties of rum as the agricultural rums (made from the fermentation of the sugar cane juice) and the traditional rums (made from the fermentation of the molasses)
“We export our rums towards the entire European Union and we have been awarded prizes in London and Brussels” Alain Landry, the shop manager, proudly explains. The whole team of guides explains with enthusiasm and in detail the different steps in the creation of rum, from the harvest of the sugar cane to the bottling. During the guided tour led by Catherine Boyer, a rum connoisseur and lover, each step is described, illustrated and explained. “I feel I have always been a part of this plant. I wish to make people discover my passion”, the young woman reveals with enthusiasm.

Amber or opalescent colour

The visit starts with a film narrating the history of sugar cane on the island and the different steps in the manufacturing of sugar and rum. After a few recommendations, the guide leads the visitors towards the distillery in order for them to see the real size of what they have seen in the film. Once the visit is over, it’s time for delights: a tasting of the different rums produced in the distillery in the form of riddles. It goes without saying that this step requires a discerning palate and a certain taste for strong alcohols.

Finally, one is able to buy the products exposed in the Tafia et Galabé shop. Paul and his wife, both retired, are spending their holidays on the island. They will keep good memories of this visit at the heart of local traditions: “I used to know the agricultural rum only. Thanks to this visit I have discovered the process of manufacturing of traditional rums and I definitely plan to bring some bottles back to France”, the man explains with delight.

A range of flavours

The storage capacity of the distillery (800,000 litres of white rum) allows a large production, mostly relocated to the storage centre of Le Port. The other part is put in a maturing storehouse at the distillery. In this way, different varieties of rum are produced. The Savanna Creol (agricultural rum from Reunion Island, directly stemming from the pure sugar cane juice), the Savanna Lontan (Traditional Grand Arôme rum of Reunion Island, elaborated from the “old style” fermentation. The Savanna Métis (Traditional rum of Reunion Island) and its beautiful citrine colour due to a maturating process in oak barrel. The Savanna Intense (also called Traditional rum of Reunion Island but elaborated with different technics). The Cap Savanna (three, five or seven years old) matured in oak barrels from the Limousin and Allier regions in Savanna storehouse. Last but not least, the inevitable 15 year-old, the Savanna.
At the sight of such a large range of flavours, it seems hard to resist to temptation. One or two bottles won’t make the difference in your suitcase and what could be more appropriate than a glass of rum to recall Reunion Island?

Text and photographs: Béatrice Gonthier