Savanna : 12 Year Old

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Savanna 12 Years Old

Tasting

Color
An orange-brown hue with reddish highlights, showing great clarity and a medium golden viscosity that reflects its patient aging in Cognac casks.

Nose
Remarkably complex, it opens with notes of ripe red grapes and demerara sugar. Refreshing touches of crisp green apple and nutmeg intertwine, before giving way, after careful aeration, to aromas of honey and a subtle hint of eucalyptus.

Palate
Structured and well-balanced, it unfolds flavors of tangy red grapes and bright orange. Spicy cinnamon brings a gradual warmth, while surprising, velvety notes of vanilla pudding coat the palate, offering a rich, velvety texture. The finish is long, creamy and warm, marked by soft tropical fruits, light oak tannins and a harmonious return to tangy grape.

Pairings and Tasting Moments
This rum pairs wonderfully with refined savory dishes, particularly grilled meats or caramelized beef with umami profiles. It also enhances spiced dishes (cinnamon, nutmeg) from North African, Middle Eastern or Indian cuisines. At the end of a meal, it beautifully accompanies dark chocolate desserts, its cocoa notes and tannic structure perfectly balancing the richness of the cocoa.

Mixology
Although it is more than enough to enjoy on its own, this rum excels in premium cocktails. It shines particularly in an Old Cuban (aged rum, lime juice, mint, simple syrup and Champagne or Prosecco), or in tropical and tiki preparations. A great classic like the Daiquiri will also showcase its structure and fruity notes without masking its distinctive character.

Other Characteristics
Bottled at 45% alcohol by volume, this molasses rum has benefited from prolonged tropical maturation exclusively in ex-Cognac casks.

A Rum from Réunion of Great Complexity, Marked by the Elegance of Cognac

The Historic Legacy of Distillerie Savanna
Located on the volcanic island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, the Distillerie Savanna is heir to a sugar-making tradition spanning more than two centuries. Officially founded between 1948 and 1950 by Paul Charles Émile Hugot, it was relocated in 1992 to Saint-André, near the Bois Rouge sugar refinery. Now led by its president Thomas Alexandre Hugues Giubbi, Savanna stands out as the only distillery in the world able to continuously produce four distinct categories of rum (molasses, agricole, Grand Arôme and light) from the same raw materials. This rum benefits from an exceptional volcanic terroir and a unique microclimate, reducing the angels' share to just 4 to 5% per year, allowing for tropical aging of rare precision.

The Meticulous Crafting of Savanna 12 Years Old
The distillery's portfolio offers several interpretations of its age-statement range, but this 12 Years Old expression perfectly illustrates the house's technical mastery. This amber rum is made from molasses supplied by the neighboring Bois-Rouge sugar refinery, ensuring complete vertical integration of the raw material. Fermentation, lasting seven to fourteen days, uses specific yeast strains before careful distillation carried out in the famous historic Savalle copper column.

This traditional rum is then subjected to an exclusive twelve-year aging period in French oak casks that previously held Cognac. This maturation choice, deeply rooted in the distillery's French heritage, infuses the spirit with sophisticated woody characteristics and subtly fruity aromas. Thanks to the tropical climate of the island, which accelerates chemical processes while maintaining moderate evaporation, this 12 Years Old acquires a nuanced concentration and oxidation. The result is a liquid work of art aimed at connoisseurs seeking a perfect balance between the natural sweetness of molasses and the noble influence of the Cognac cask.