Savanna Herrline - Swell de Spirits TH1

Profile: The Savanna Herrline - Swell de Spirits TH1 at a glance

• Savanna Herrline TH1 - Single Cask #215: Tropical maturation with character
• Exclusive bottling - Limited to only 725 bottles worldwide
• 8 years of tropical maturation on La Réunion - as intense as significantly more continental years
• Distilled from molasses and bottled at cask strength of 59.5% vol.
• Natural - Bottled without added coloring, without chill filtration & unsweetened

Portrait: What makes the Savanna Herrline - Swell de Spirits TH1 so special

Anyone who thinks La Réunion is just a tropical postcard scene with perfectly draped palm trees and volcanoes has obviously not yet seen the island's true attraction: the Distillerie de Savanna. For decades, they have dedicated themselves to the sacred art of transforming molasses into liquid legends - and one of these legends goes by the somewhat mysterious name Savanna Herrline - Swell de Spirits TH1.

Even the address of the distillery - 2 Chemin Bois-Rouge, 97490 Saint-André - sounds as if you would have to consult three old cartographers, a friendly monk and at least one goat to find it. But those who make the journey there are rewarded with traditional rum knowledge, which on Réunion Island is almost as natural as sunshine. Savanna is one of those distilleries that are proud of their heritage: French roots, a tropical climate, and a seriousness one would hardly expect from a company that bottles its rum at cask strength - and thus presumably regularly shocks its measuring cups.
The Herrline TH1 is a single cask from cask number 215, and with only 725 bottles worldwide, one might think it's more of a myth than a product. It matured for eight years in tropical conditions - which, in rum years, is roughly equivalent to a university degree plus a semester abroad - and it comes in a mahogany color, entirely without added coloring. Instead, it comes in an elegant gift box so dark blue that even the ocean might momentarily envy it.
At 59.5% cask strength, it proves that while it may be small (0.5 liters), it packs a punch. A rum that will not only make collectors' hearts beat faster, but also transform any liquor shelf into a treasure trove.

In short: Savanna Herrline TH1 isn't just rum. It's La Réunion in a bottle – only without the beach, but with just as much character.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Savanna Herrline - Swell de Spirits TH1 tastes like

• Nose: In the glass, an intense, multi-layered aroma unfolds with a distinct strength from the cask strength. Sweet, dark notes rise first, accompanied by warm wood aromas and a hint of dried fruit. These are joined by spicy nuances reminiscent of pepper, vanilla bean, and a touch of tobacco. A fine, tropical depth rounds off the bouquet.

• Palate: On the palate, the rum is full-bodied and powerful, yet cleanly structured. Robust sweetness meets spicy elements that intertwine harmoniously. Notes of wood, molasses, and fruity hints build a complex flavor profile layer by layer. The tropical aging process is evident in a densely interwoven, warm aromatic profile. Despite the high alcohol content, the mouthfeel is round and precise.

• Finish: The finish is long, intense, and persistently spicy. Wood, subtle bitterness, and sweet molasses notes fade slowly – accompanied by a warm dryness typical of tropically matured single-cask bottlings. An aftertaste that unfolds further with every second, making you crave the next sip.