CONTENTS 1)Mauritius island Geography History Diversity Distileries Rum history 2) New Grove Rum New Grove History Grays inc Ltd Rum production New Grove worldwide New Grove products Medals and distinctions Local and international activations Local and international press release Some of our cocktails
Mauritius island GEOGRAPHY Latitudes 19°58.8' and 20°31.7' south and longitudes 57°18.0' and 57°46.5'east.
Mauritius island HISTORY 16th century: Island discovered by Arabs 1507: Portugese visit 1598 : Dutch colonisation 1710 - 1810 : French occupation *1735 : Arrival of French governor Mahe De Labourdonnais = Effective industrial development of the island 1810 – 1968 : British rule 1968: Independance 1991: Republic
Mauritius island DIVERSITY The Republic of Mauritius total land area is 2,040 km2 and is constituted of the main island and several outlying islands. The environment in Mauritius is typically tropical in the coastal regions with forests in the mountainous areas. The estimated resident population was 1,261,208 as of 1 July 2014, besides everyone speaking Creole it is both an English-speaking and French-speaking nation.
Mauritius island DISTILLERIES
Mauritius island RUM HISTORY 1) It all started with arrack On the isolated islands, only arrack would comfort the sailors and forget about their hard and lonely lives, travelling the remote seas. Initially, arrack was a brandy made out of sugar cane molasses in the East Indies or, more rarely, a palm or latanier leaves brew, simmered with some yeast made out of rice. The ships and their sailors were originally supplied by the Dutch based in Mauritius. It all begun with Jan Harmansz, a Dutch settler who lived in Flacq. He started brewing latanier sap, thanks to the high-tech machinery delivered by the Dutch East India Company. When sugar cane was first introduced in 1639, arrack became the primary source of revenue of the island. 6000 litres were produced annually by the year 1680. 2) Long live the “guildiveries” The French settled in Mauritius in 1740. At that time, Mahé de Labourdonnais firmly believes in the island’s opportunities and overall development. He established, at La Villebague, a well-managed sugar refinery and a distillery, using the molasses as the rum’s main component. But the locals wanted their own rum. So begun the “guildiveries”; a rough way to manufacture arrack and rum. “Guildiverie”, which literally means “kill devil” in English, comes from Bourbon Island and reveals the drink’s poor quality. Besides, “kill devil” was the original given name for the cane spirits in the British West Indies. 3) Time for the « tilambics » By 1816, the annual consumption of rum per capita reached 39 litres. This rum was not produced by the sole “guildiveries”. By 1858, there are 22 of them in the island and in the families’ backyards, will-fit “tilambics” would produce a dreadful drink, often with high hints of copper and lead. Hence the idea to mask the hideous quality by adding fruits and spices and merrily compose some famous rum “arrangé”. By the mid 19 th century, centralisation gained the rum manufacturing and the production reached 100,000 litres per year. Produced with molasses, rum is not yet a superior spirit and is considered very coarse. Mauritius is under control of the British Empire since 1812 and its high-end society favours the much more noble whisky rather than the rum’s mediocrity.
Mauritius island RUM HISTORY 20 th century, or the seek for progress The early 20 th century marks the end of many prosperous years for Mauritian distillery in general. Increasing taxes on alcoholic drinks were affecting the people. Illegal distillation reached a peak, along with its harm and misdeeds. In order to deal with fraud, the 18 th and 19 th bills were voted, prohibiting the sale of poor quality rum. However, the British soldiers fighting in the World War were significant gin and rum consumers. Soon in shortage of rectified alcohol, Mauritian distilleries started producing more and more alcohol to help providing the soldiers at front. Mauritius still produces rum “arrangé” or traditional rum, made from molasses with soaked fresh fruits and spices. 21 st century – the high quality rum The 21 st century saw a substantial improvement in the quality of our rum. After a long period of restrictions, the Government voted, in the early 2000’s, a bill which allowed a controlled distillation of quality rums. Moreover, the 2006 Multi Annual Adaptation Strategy law, authorising the processing of cane juice rum, or “rhum agricole”, was voted. The Mauritian rum produced from molasses or cane juice made a reputation of its own and now competes with the very best worldwide. Mauritian distilleries are regularly awarded for their highly noble brews and are renowned for their excellence and aromas.
New Grove Rum HISTORY Mahe de Labourdonnais transmitted to Mauritius the French “savoir-faire” in industrial development. The Domaine de La Villebague, in the village of Pamplemousses, would be the home for the first sugar mill of the island in 1740 and soon after, in 1742, the first rum distillery would come to light. Thanks to Pierre Charles Harel, born in 1806, distillation techniques improved massively along with the legal features. The Domaine de La Villebague is still owned by his heirs who created the company GRAYS INC LTD, who sustain the tradition and produce the New Grove Rum, according to the original “formula”. Let’s make it a statement. New Grove Rum’s exclusiveness lies on the land that once saw the first and only distillery & sugar mill, at the time of the “Compagnie des Indes”.
New Grove Rum GRAYS INC LTD Member of the Terra Group, Grays leads the import and distribution market of quality wines and spirits. Established in 1935, the company quickly became a major player of the island’s economy. With a staff of more than 500 dedicated people, Grays fosters its reputation with powerful brands, a large distribution network and, above all, a wide knowledge of the local market combined with solid and strong commercial partnerships. Grays is the pioneer of distillation in Mauritius and produces nearly 7 million litres of pure alcohol per year, with a daily production capacity of about 30,000 litres. By the means of its wide network of cellars, 20/vins, Grays’ wines and spirits can be found all around Mauritius. Thanks to its exports towards Europe, Asia and Africa, Grays is now a well known brand, worldwide. www.grays.mu
New Grove Rum RUM PRODUCTION Sugar cane: The sugar cane harvest stars in June, every year. From New Grove parent company’s estate covering over 16,000 hectares, only the finest cane of the best plots of the Domaine is selected to seize the essential element in the concoction of our traditional rum: molasses. Molasses: The refined sugar producing fresh molasses rich in sugar crystals will be stored in vats for 36 hours of fermentation. Distillation : Benefiting from experts’ input, natural flavours resulting from the distillation, collected from the 52 distillation column trays, will produce the rum. A first draft of rum comes out but the degree of alcohol is significant: 94%, then, diluted at 65% for ageing. Ageing: It will take at least 5 years for white rums to stabilise while oak barrels from the Limousin, France, will then do their work, slowly, aging dark rums patiently. According to our cellar master, not less than 3 years are necessary for the aging of dark rums. Old-tradition-rums can mature for up to 25 years. Breathing and soaking the tannins from the barrels, this unhurried process will give to the rum all its flavour, its softness, and its distinctive amber tan. New Grove uses 50% new French Oak barrels and 50% used Cognac barrels Grays was able to create a unique Mauritian rum that meets the international standards of high quality rums: New Grove.
New Grove Rum RUM PRODUCTION
New Grove Rum INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE
New Grove Rum NEW GROVE PLANTATION RUM Premium white rum 40% alc vol New Grove Plantation is the result of an expertise that few distillers own. Made from a distillation recipe of more than 200 years old, discover a great white rum, with a powerful, highly aromatic nose with hints of raw sugar, floral and exotic notes and a slight peppery final. The onset is rounded and slightly fatty, the finish is long with fruity notes. New Grove Plantation will perfectly marry cocktails, but its aromatic power will plainly express itself on crushed ice. GOLD MEDALS 2009 - International Cane Spirits Festival and Tasting Competition (ICS) – USA 2014 - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Belgium 2014 -Concours TOP RUM de l’Océan Indien (Paris) 2015 - Rhum Fest Paris – France 2015 - Madrid Rum Fest – Spain NEW GROVE OAK AGED RUM Dark Rum aged in oak barrels 40% alc vol This exotic premium rum aged in oak barrels and delightfully aromatic is made from a 200 year family recipe. Smooth and sensual, New Grove Oaked Aged is recommended to conclude a pleasant meal. Its complex and exotic aromas will better express themselves served dry or on the rocks. New Grove is a wonderful, charming experience, just like Mauritius itself!
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