Major Philippe pushes Mauritian rum forward
Mauritius’ leading agro-industrial company Omnicane has launched a premium rum brand named Major Philippe.
Omnicane has nearly a century of expertise in the sugarcane business. It began producing rum for bulk export around three years ago, using its existing distillation capabilities, which are also used for bioethanol.
Mauritius was previously hindered by laws that banned the distillation of pure cane juice; however, since 2006, this has been reversed. The move prompted the creation of many new Mauritian rum brands, of which Major Philippe is the latest.
“Major Philippe represents the perfect intersection of our agricultural heritage, commitment to innovation, and vision for the future,” said Jacques M d’Unienville, CEO of Omnicane. “By vertically integrating our production with premium rum distillation, we’re creating a product that embodies the adventurous spirit of our island and opens new economic opportunities for our community.”
The brand is inspired by the life of Philippe Guimbeau, who served in World War II, rising through the ranks to become a major. According to d’Unienville, he was a “passionate agriculturist” who loved “the thrill of adventure”. Speaking at a launch event in Mauritius, he added: “Major Philippe Rum is a tribute to his values, elegance and indomitable spirit, capturing the essence of a man who lived wholly and left a lasting legacy.”
Major Philippe launches with three expressions, all of which are made from pure cane juice: Britannia, a white rum; Mon Trésor, which is rested in oak for nine months; and Ilot Brocus, a spiced spirit drink made with Mauritian rum. Their names are taken from landmarks in southern Mauritius.
At launch, the brand had filled 84 virgin French oak casks to create aged rum, with a further 84 casks to be filled imminently. Omnicane expects the first batch of aged spirit to be ready in autumn 2026.
All three expressions are distilled from locally grown sugarcane using the company’s closed-loop system. Sugarcane residue powers the distillation process, 25 tons of CO2 are captured and repurposed daily, and byproducts are converted into fertiliser.
“In every sip of Major Philippe, you can taste the culmination of a century of Mauritian expertise,” added Bertrand Thevenau, Omnicane’s CEO of properties, retail and brands. “These expressions represent not just our island’s exceptional terroir, but our commitment to innovation while respecting the traditions that made Mauritius renowned in the rum world.”
In other Mauritian rum news, New Grove recently released the island’s oldest expression.
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