If you ever find yourself in Phnom Penh, Cambodia you would be bonkers if you didn't go and review this fantastic distillery / bar.
Samai rum is Cambodia's original rum distillery and easily the most famous. It started back in 2014 based on the single observation that the country had masses of sugar cane and other high quality raw ingredients to make rum, but no distillery. Its of little surprise that this observation came from two Venezuelans - Daniel Pacheco and Antonio Lopez de Haro - a country rich in rum heritage to see a golden opportunity.
Having reviewed Samai Rum distillery, what sets it apart from others I've visited is the flawless combination of the distillery into a high end cocktail bar which opens to the public every Thursday night. Needless to say when myself and the other two founders of "RumWithThreeLimes" visited the country back in 2019, this was firmly in the itinerary.
The bar/distillery is within what looks like an old hanger or warehouse with the entrance through huge double doors. Once inside, the floor is the only bit that retains that industrial feel. It's replaced with a seamless combination of wooden joists, a dark wooden bar and duel purpose aging casks that double up as tables for customers.
To the left are rows of Samai branded barrels no doubt aging various delicious marks for future blending. There is also a makeshift smaller bar on wheels, made of rich pallet wood, dried tree foliage and hanging lights. Perfect for any large event.
To the right stands the bar. A tall, deep wooden bar hosts many friendly and knowledgable staff members. The back bar consists of a Ron Burgundy-esk book shelf filled with Samai rum, prices and shop opening times. Atop is a very striking portrait painting. Of whom the imagination wonders. I also love the mass branding finishing touches. From Aprons to chairs they give a real premium feel.
We are guided through the menu of delicious sounding cocktails, classic rum mixers and tasting flights of Samai rum. There is a great combination of educational, extravagant and afterwork relaxation drinks on offer.
Naturally we couldn't say know to the flights or a delicious cocktail. I was able to enjoy the White, Gold and Kampot Pepper expressions. The Kampot Pepper was so good we bought a bottle, you can find more about it in a future post.
For the keen eyed amongst us you would have noticed the tops of the copper pot stills in the background of the first picture. Here is where all the magic starts. The Samai Distillery is protected from the Thursday crowds by floor to ceiling glass windows and doors. Creating the perfect frame for the two 500 litre Alembic copper pot stills - hand made in Portugal - against the back wall. These stills are steeped in history with their designs dating back to the 19th Century.
The Samai distillery has grown since conception in 2014 and now has additional pot and column stills running to increase production. Taking the operation past the previous 6,000 bottles a year capacity.
Both the Gold Aged Rum and Kampot Pepper Spiced Rum have won multiple spirit awards over many years which is truly impressive for a start up distillery - and first in its country - in Cambodia. However, what I love most is how locally connected the distillery, its operation and staff are which contribute significantly to these achievements. The master distiller - Darachampich Moang - is from Cambodia and caught the eye of Daniel and Antonio through her thesis on fermentation. As are most of the staff who have been growing with the business. The raw ingredients as well are all local, from the organic honey, the Kampot peppers from La Plantation farm to the vast sugar cane from the country. It truly is "Cambodia's Rum".
I'm really looking forward to seeing more from Samai Distillery in the future. They are well into growth phase with talk of a more traditional spiced and coffee flavour rum to come.
If you are ever in Phnom Penh on a Thursday, head to the Distillery/Bar for some amazing cocktails and rum. Or you can reach out on the same link for a private tour of the distillery for larger groups. Want a taste but don't have the air miles? Don't worry the Whisky Exchange has both the Gold and White expressions to purchase in the UK.
Two small but important notes. Firstly, I do not receive any money for any links nor have a received any money, gifts etc for writing this post. Secondly, the images taken were from 2019 so there may have been further changes since my visit.
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