Engenhos do Norte
Engenhos do Norte
4
About
The Porto da Cruz 'Engenho' (mill) is a testimony to the importance sugarcane had and still has on an economic and cultural level in Madeira. A visit to our mill is like taking a journey through time, visitors can walk the original circuit that goes from the collection of sugar cane, through to the various stages of production and ending in a visit to the Rum House.
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- RoverPInverness, United Kingdom800 contributionsDelicious RumVisited with a small tour group for a quick visit and a tasting of rum. It was really good and I really should have bought a bottle or two. I much preferred this to the Madeira wine I tasted elsewhere. - Maybe next time!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 10, 2023
- Peter KParis, France229 contributionsGood trinks but mostly crowdedThe destillery is far from special, but a nice stop for a tasting. You can get all Rums for cheap prices or get small tasting sips for free. It's part of many tours and can be very crowded. Avoiding these times makes it far better and staff is really helpful then. If you don't want to taste it can be skipped, as the Rum is available all over the island.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 10, 2024
- Caroline LPLondon, United Kingdom1,685 contributionsGreat RumThe rum produced at this distillery is excellent, I liked how they give you access to see how the juice from the sugar cane is extracted. And there is a fabulous coastal walk right beside the distillery. Will definitely visit again when in Madeira.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 18, 2024
- JFWhiteMoncton, Canada7,403 contributionsMiam TasteRecently visited this location for a free walk around thr grounds and museum of the factory. They also served us cookies and drinks. Really worth the stop if you are in the area. There are also nice views around!Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 5, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
270 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
115
Average
43
Poor
19
Terrible
9
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Trevor N
Jersey, UK824 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
The distillery is free to enter and there’s a video running to explain the process. The main machinery is steam powered and almost 100 years old, and there is a small collection of old copper taps etc. for those really interested.
Our tour included a small tasting, not sure if that’s normal, but the staff in the adjoining shop were very friendly and helpful and keen to assist us with buying rum, biscuits, cake and other goodies. I bought a litre of 50% white rum for making cocktails for only €11, and look forward to using it for that purpose when we get home
Our tour included a small tasting, not sure if that’s normal, but the staff in the adjoining shop were very friendly and helpful and keen to assist us with buying rum, biscuits, cake and other goodies. I bought a litre of 50% white rum for making cocktails for only €11, and look forward to using it for that purpose when we get home
Written February 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nordman1
Alencon, France1,197 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
As part of the tour of the East organized by Feeling Madeira Tours & Walks, our mini-bus made a ¾ hour stop at the small distillery of Porto da Cruz.
The sugar cane press, an antique and robust steam engine, was operated by two workers; one loading the cane; the other recovering the dry matter used, among other things, as fuel.
We also see a large copper still, barrels and tuns.
A small adjoining shop sells the production which consists of amber rums of different ages.
For our small group, a tray of small glasses of precious alcohol accompanied by mini crunchy cakes awaited us.
It will be difficult for these rums to compete in quality with those from the French West Indies.
The sugar cane press, an antique and robust steam engine, was operated by two workers; one loading the cane; the other recovering the dry matter used, among other things, as fuel.
We also see a large copper still, barrels and tuns.
A small adjoining shop sells the production which consists of amber rums of different ages.
For our small group, a tray of small glasses of precious alcohol accompanied by mini crunchy cakes awaited us.
It will be difficult for these rums to compete in quality with those from the French West Indies.
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ksufan88
Wichita, KS6,626 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We visited this factory on Sunday when there was no production going on, but there was a self-guided tour that explained the manufacturing process along with equipment and signage in 4 languages (Portuguese, English, German, and French). The building is almost 100 years old and has a repaired smoke stack. The tasting room and shop is located in a nearby building where you can sample some of their rums and also cocktails such as poncho (local rum cocktail).
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline LP
London, UK1,685 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The rum produced at this distillery is excellent, I liked how they give you access to see how the juice from the sugar cane is extracted. And there is a fabulous coastal walk right beside the distillery. Will definitely visit again when in Madeira.
Written May 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Paris, France229 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The destillery is far from special, but a nice stop for a tasting.
You can get all Rums for cheap prices or get small tasting sips for free.
It's part of many tours and can be very crowded. Avoiding these times makes it far better and staff is really helpful then.
If you don't want to taste it can be skipped, as the Rum is available all over the island.
You can get all Rums for cheap prices or get small tasting sips for free.
It's part of many tours and can be very crowded. Avoiding these times makes it far better and staff is really helpful then.
If you don't want to taste it can be skipped, as the Rum is available all over the island.
Written May 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EMMESPA
Catanzaro Lido, Italy673 contributions
May 2023
This distillery is located in the heart of one of the most beautiful bays on the island: Porto Cruz. For lovers of spirits, the visit is a must. Inside are preserved old machinery and equipment that were used in the various processing phases for the production of cane sugar and rum. In my opinion, this distillery is one of the best and most modern on the island and manages to produce excellent spirits, some of which can also be found in Italy. For those who want to shop there is a store where you can find gadgets and excellent bottles of rum.
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendyanddavid536
Solihull, UK2,122 contributions
May 2022
A great old-fashioned working distillery, free to visit, which you can wander round and (so long as you are there at the time of year that the sugar cane is being harvested) see it in action.
Amazing old steam-powered machinery, old copper vats, wooden barrels, lovely smell of sugar cane and rum!
Great retail outlet selling their products at a very good price.
The only downside was the toilets; they were disgusting.
Amazing old steam-powered machinery, old copper vats, wooden barrels, lovely smell of sugar cane and rum!
Great retail outlet selling their products at a very good price.
The only downside was the toilets; they were disgusting.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SNJ-78
Versailles, France496 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Very small distillery that can be visited very quickly. The most interesting thing is the shop where the prices are really interesting (Rums, poncha, bolo de mel...). Little tasting on the go thanks to the lady behind the counter who spoke a little French.
Written January 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis Michel B
Estaimpuis, Belgium829 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Were part of a tour organized by Tui. The visit to the distillery, unfortunately closed that day, would have been interesting if we had been given some explanations on how the factory works. We were well received, tasting of white rum or poncha and a small gift for everyone, a small pot of cane molasses and local biscuits
Written June 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,373 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We were taken here for a quick look at the distillery (which is free to enter) and then a rum, molasses and biscuit tasting. The rum was not to our taste at all to be honest but others in our small group did buy some. The molasses biscuits were lovely, like a British ginger nut but without the ginger!
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour la distillerie est-elle ouverte en. Juillet et août ? Faites-vous aussi des visites de la distillerie Ô Reizinho ? Est-elle elle aussi ouverte à ces périodes ?
Written February 27, 2024
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