Mauritius

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 was first discovered by the Arabs back in the 16^th Century but they did not settle on the island. In 1507, the Portuguese passed by but was again of not much interest. In 1598, the Dutch settled on the island. They started the first sugar production bringing the plant from South East Asia and labourers from Africa. However, there was not much success.

It all started with arrack

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.

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.  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.

Time for the “Tilambic”

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 ideas to mask the hideous quality by adding fruits and spices and merrily compose some famous rum “arrangé”. 

Present day!!
Today there about 6 distilleries on the island with a greater number of local bottlers/blenders. With the success and the discovery of Mauritian rums since the early 2000, more rums of great quality are being produced locally and exported worlwide.

Enjoy Responsibly :)