Review #949/950; Rums #299-300: Savanna HERR 57 2017 and 2022 (Blind)

Savanna High Ester Reunion Rum 2017 vs 2022 releases

So, Savanna is that magical distillery located on La Reunion that makes quite a few different styles of rum. This offering here is their High Ester Reunion Rum (HERR) which quite different from the distilleries other offerings. This kind of experimental rum that is made from molasses, distilled on a copper pot still, and fermented for up to 10 days.

The previous 2017 offering clocks in at 423.4 g/hlap while the 2022 release comes in at 796 g/hlap. No reason I can find is given for the change in esters but if the knowledge I have picked up via osmosis and rumor (always so reliable right) then this is them recreating HERR from that original batch. As I understand it, the OG batch of HERR was distilled in 2006, no one wanted to buy it so it sat in stainless steel till Velier and Savanna began bottling in in 2017-2018. Anyway enough with the history.

Let’s see how they do blinded against each other.

Blank Glass

ABV: 57%

Nose: Grapefruit, Strawberry Bubblegum, Allspice, slight Brine,

Palate: Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit bubblegum, Allspice, Brine, candied Orange Peel

Finish: Long finish, Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit Bubblegum, Brine, Canided Orange, Faint Cotton Candy

Rating: 8/10

Guess Savanna HERR 2017

Reveal Savanna HERR 2022

Penelope Glass

ABV: 57%

Nose: Grapefruit, Allspice, Strawberry Bubblegum, Salinity, Olie oil, slight meatiness, Gr

Palate: Olive oil, meatiness, Grapefruit, Bubblegum, Salinity, Allspice, a bit of sweat

Finish: Long finish, Olive Oil, Meaty, Grapefruit, Salinity, Allspice, sweat, Cumin

Rating: 8/10

Guess: Savanna HERR 2022

Reveal: Savanna HERR 2017

Overall both of these are great rums in the style of high ester releases. While I was unable to guess them correctly that really wasn’t the point of the exercise. This was to see if the “new” Herr deviated significantly from the old style and I would say it does not. These are practically the same to me note wise. Bubblegummy, Olive Oily, some meatiness and sweat. The weird is full on here in a way that I just love. One of my favorite styles of rum from one of my favorite distilleries.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect