Samai Rum - Handmade in Cambodia
Samai is one of the most important modern rum stories in Asia: a Phnom Penh based distillery built around Cambodian sugarcane and local flavour. Founded in 2014, Samai helped put Cambodia on the rum map by proving that premium rum can be made with intent outside the traditional Caribbean heartlands. It is a brand that makes sense if you like rum with identity: clear production, a strong sense of place, and bottlings that work both in cocktails and as conversation-starting pours.
Samai starts from locally grown sugarcane, using selected high-quality molasses as the base for its rums. From there, the focus is on craft production: fermentation choices, careful distillation, and the decision to build flavour rather than chase generic sweetness. The category matters because it shows how rum can travel: the foundation is traditional rum-making, but the result is clearly Cambodian, tied to raw materials and local ingredients.
A useful way to understand Samai is through the idea of local flavour as a production tool. The brand is known for bottlings that bring Cambodian ingredients into the profile - not as a gimmick, but as a way to create a signature. A key example is the use of Kampot pepper, a protected-origin ingredient that brings aromatic spice and a distinct lift in mixed drinks. This is rum designed to taste like it comes from somewhere.
From a drinking point of view, Samai fits neatly into a modern rum shelf. For cocktails, it gives you a point of difference that still behaves like rum: spice, depth, and enough structure to hold up to citrus and dilution. It is especially useful in simple builds where you want the rum to do more of the talking: Daiquiri riffs, highballs, and Old Fashioned-style serves. For sipping, Samai is best approached the way you would approach a distinctive regional spirit: take a moment with the aroma, give it time in the glass, and consider a few drops of water if the bottle is higher proof.
If you already enjoy whisky, Samai is also a good bridge category. It has enough structure and finishing spice to feel satisfying, but it still tastes like rum: sugarcane base, fermentation character, and a warmth that sits differently to grain spirits. For curious drinkers, it is one of the cleanest examples of why "Other World" rum deserves attention.
At Casa de Vinos, we like brands like Samai because they make rum feel alive and modern. If you want the fastest way to understand how it sits in the broader rum map, taste it next to classic regional benchmarks by the glass at Casa de Vinos Lounge (casadevinoslounge.com.au). A short flight will give you a clear sense of what you like.
Wholesale - On-Premise and Off-Premise: Samai is a strong back-bar option when you want a premium rum with a real story and cocktail usefulness. For trade enquiries email wholesale@casadevinos.com.au.
Casa de Vinos Club: members may see special pricing or hidden allocations on limited rum releases when available.
Whisky Abbey: distinctive "other origin" rum pours perform well when the selection is purposeful. Keep an eye on whiskyabbey.au for the next program.
Corporate accounts: for tastings and supply conversations, contact sales@casadevinos.com.au.
