Rum Da Dee Da – Rhumerie De Chamarel, Mauritius

Mauritius has a long history of rum production. The exotic island is home to a number of rum producers, who have mastered the art of distilling, ageing, and blending rich rums. As a result, Mauritian rum ranks right up there with Jamaican rum. Our recent visit to Mauritius left us intrigued about the island’s rum making tradition. We wanted to visit to a rum factory to learn more about it. We chose Rhumerie De Chamarel, situated in the rolling valleys of the rugged south.

Now being a rum factory is no easy task – you gotta produce delicious liquor, not look pretty. So we went expecting a utilitarian building populated with distilling machines. But Rhumerie Du Chamarel resembles a spa resort, an enclave of peace, in the village of Chamarel.

A basic entry fee of Rs. 350 (approx. £7) gives visitors access to the Rhumerie, including a guided tour, and a rum tasting session including six (yep SIX) of their finest rums and spirits 🙂 

Our guide Wenda was affable to a fault and happily answered all our questions (we are an inquisitive bunch, you know 🙂 ). Her passion and knowledge of rum shone through her eyes. We learnt that all rum at Rhumerie Du Chamarel is produced from organic sugarcanes. The sugarcane juice is fermented and distilled, then made into rum, a drink we all know and love. Their finer rums are double distilled, before being bottled in exquisite gold coloured glass bottles.

We took our time at the rum tasting – there is nothing quite like sampling an extensive variety of fine rum amidst tranquil surroundings.

There was a distinctive smell of sugarcane juice in their rum, a feature that made it extremely special. Don’t even get us started on the liqueurs. 3 decadent flavours – coffee, coconut, and vanilla – left us craving for more. We might have picked up a bottle or two at their boutique 😉

Fact File

• The entry fee includes the rum tasting session (6 different rums/liquers)
• Rhumerie De Chamarel is closed on Sundays
• There is ample free parking at the site. Make sure you go for a gander around the Rhumerie – it’s set in idyllic surroundings.
• Combine your visit to the Rhumerie with a trip to the Chamarel’s  coloured earth and waterfalls for the perfect day trip in Mauritius.
• More information on their website www.rhumeriedechamarel.com

Planning a trip to Mauritius? Don’t forget to read out list of  Top 10 things to do in Mauritius 🙂