Takamaka is the best-known rum of the Seychelles, made on Mahe at La Plaine St Andre, a historic estate house near Au Cap. The distillery produces a range from white and spiced rums to aged expressions, and you can visit for a tour and tasting and eat at the estate restaurant. Takamaka is the rum behind most cocktails on the islands, so it is an easy and enjoyable half-day on Mahe.
If you order a rum cocktail anywhere in the Seychelles, the bottle behind it is probably Takamaka. The islands’ signature spirit is made on Mahe and has become a small point of national pride, and the distillery makes for one of the more relaxed and rewarding visits on the island, history, a pretty estate and a tasting in one stop.
The estate
Takamaka is produced at La Plaine St Andre, a restored colonial-era estate house near Au Cap on the south-east of Mahe. The setting is part of the appeal, an old plantation house with gardens, giving the brand a real sense of place rather than a factory feel. The name comes from the takamaka tree that grows along the islands’ coasts.
The range of rums
The distillery makes a spread of styles. Expect a clean white rum for mixing, a popular spiced rum, a coconut rum, and darker aged expressions meant for sipping. The rums are built around the islands’ climate and character, and trying them side by side is the best way to find the one you like.
The tour and tasting
You can visit the estate for a guided tour that walks you through the history and the rum-making, finishing with a tasting of the range. It is an easy, friendly experience rather than a stuffy one. Check current days, times and tour prices before you go, as these change. The estate restaurant is well regarded, so it pairs naturally with lunch.
The cocktails to try
Takamaka is the base of the cocktails you will meet across the islands, from a simple rum and fresh coconut water to spiced-rum mixes and the local take on a daiquiri. The coconut and spiced rums in particular suit the tropical setting. Sundowners with a Takamaka cocktail are a Seychelles ritual worth keeping.
Getting there
La Plaine St Andre is on the south-east coast of Mahe, easily reached by car or taxi from Victoria and the beaches. A hire car makes it simple to combine with the south of the island, the spice garden and the wild southern beaches in one loop.
How to plan
Treat the distillery as a half-day, ideally with lunch at the estate, and combine it with nearby southern Mahe sights. A hire car is the easiest way to reach it and to keep your day flexible. Browse verified places to stay in our directory, and pair the visit with our food and restaurants guides for a proper taste of the islands.
Frequently asked questions
What is Takamaka rum?
It is the best-known rum of the Seychelles, made on Mahe at the historic La Plaine St Andre estate near Au Cap. The range runs from white and spiced rums to aged sipping expressions, and it is behind most island cocktails.
Can you visit the Takamaka distillery?
Yes. The estate at La Plaine St Andre offers guided tours and tastings, and has a well-regarded restaurant. Check current days, times and tour prices before you go, as they change.
Where is the Takamaka distillery?
At La Plaine St Andre, a restored estate house near Au Cap on the south-east coast of Mahe, easily reached by car or taxi from Victoria and the beaches.
What Takamaka rum should you try?
Try the range side by side on a tasting. The spiced and coconut rums suit the tropical setting and cocktails, while the aged expressions are made for sipping.
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