Savanna : 11 Ans Grand Arôme

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Savanna 11 Years Old Grand Arôme

Color
This spirit reveals a beautiful amber hue.

Nose
With remarkably concentrated aromatics, the nose demands patience and aeration to fully express itself. It reveals an imposing intensity carried by volatile esters, evolving toward extremely ripe exotic fruits such as hyper-concentrated pineapple and mango, paired with dark fruits. Distinctive notes of brined olive, iodine and minerality add further nuance. French oak lends elegant touches of caramel, licorice, vanilla and honey, rounded out by subtle hints of tobacco and fine leather.

Palate
The attack is powerful yet perfectly controlled, revealing a natural acidity that lends invigorating vivacity. The exotic fruit flavors deepen on contact with the oak-derived tannins, while the olive notes linger harmoniously. The mid-palate turns fleshy, driven by dried and candied fruit flavors such as dried mango, date and fig. Warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and clove enhance the overall balance. The finish is long and complex, oscillating between tart fruits such as passion fruit and licorice.

This contemplative spirit is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, in a moderately shaped glass to fully appreciate its olfactory complexity. Adding a few drops of distilled water can help it open up further. Gastronomically, its natural acidity and tropical aromas beautifully complement grilled red meats or caramelized-crust game. It also pairs perfectly with spicy dishes from Caribbean, Indian or Thai cuisine, white-rind aged cheeses, as well as dark chocolate desserts featuring red or exotic fruits.

Although primarily intended to be enjoyed neat, this exceptional product also inspires top-tier bartenders. It is sometimes used in very small amounts as a final aromatic touch, delicately drizzled over a rum-based cocktail to add an extra layer of complexity, or to rebalance richly sweetened creations thanks to its natural acidity.

This expression is bottled at 43% ABV in its standard reduced version. True to a purist philosophy, the distillery adds no sugar, caramel or post-distillation additives whatsoever. Production is also certified ISO 9002, guaranteeing rigorous quality control.

An Exceptionally Complex and Intensely Fruity Grand Arôme Rum from Réunion

Founded in 1948 by visionary engineer Émile Hugot, the Savanna distillery was relocated in 1992 to the Bois-Rouge site in Saint-André. A true institution, it stands out for its extremely rare mastery of the entire production chain, from sugar cane to bottling. Savanna is today one of the only distilleries in the world to excel simultaneously in the creation of agricultural, traditional and grand arôme rums. Owned by the Tereos group since 2010 and led by Olivier Leducq since 2023, the brand combines technical innovation with an absolute respect for tradition. This Rum from La Réunion has made its mark on the international stage through a purist philosophy that rejects any artificial standardization, offering connoisseurs spirits of absolute authenticity.

The 11 Years Old Grand Arôme is the emblematic expression of the Lontan range, dedicated to the distillery's aged grand arôme rums. This exceptional rum draws its uniqueness from an extraordinarily long discontinuous fermentation process, lasting anywhere from five to fifteen days in vast vats. This method, inspired by Jamaican traditions, allows for the development of an exceptional concentration of esters and non-alcoholic aromatic molecules, far exceeding the regulatory thresholds required for the Grand Arôme designation.

The distillate is then obtained using a prestigious copper Savalle column, which encourages chemical interactions that enhance its aromatic sophistication. Aging takes place entirely under the island's tropical climate, exclusively in French oak casks that previously held Cognac. This eleven-year maturation gives the spirit a remarkable tannic nobility and oxidative complexity. Presented in a seventy-centiliter bottle with complete transparency regarding its traceability, this rum reflects the natural variations of each vintage, offering enthusiasts an uncompromising tasting experience.