Omnicane Ltd., Mauritius’ agro-industrial company, announced its strategic expansion into the premium spirits market with the launch of Major Philippe Rum. 

This new venture marks a milestone in the company’s diversification strategy, building upon nearly a century of sustainable sugarcane expertise to create a distinctively Mauritian luxury spirit.

Major Philippe Rum is distilled from locally grown sugarcane using Omnicane’s circular economy approach, which has earned the company international recognition including the PwC Sustainability Award 2023 and 2024. This venture efficiently utilises existing distillation capabilities previously used for bioethanol, maximising resource usage while transforming sugarcane by-products into high-value goods. 

“Major Philippe represents the perfect intersection of our agricultural heritage, commitment to innovation, and vision for the future,” Jacques M. d’Unienville, CEO of Omnicane Ltd., said in a news release. “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.”

Major Philippe Rum showcases Omnicane’s award-winning environmental practices throughout production. The company uses a closed-loop system where sugarcane residue powers the distillation process, captures and repurposes 25 tons of CO2 daily, and converts distillation by-products into natural fertilisers that return to the fields. As a Bonsucro-certified producer, Omnicane meets the highest global standards for sustainable sugarcane.

With Mauritius exporting over USD $250 million in sugar products annually and the global rum market projected to reach USD $17.5 billion by 2027, Major Philippe enters a thriving marketplace. Mauritian rums have seen a 35% increase in export value over the past five years, outpacing global industry growth rates of 12%, the company states. The island’s unique terroir, featuring volcanic soil and ideal tropical growing conditions, produces sugarcane with exceptional aromatic qualities making Mauritian rum increasingly sought after in premium spirits markets.

“Our analysis shows that premium, sustainably-produced spirits from distinctive regions can command price premiums of 40-60% over standard offerings,” Bertrand Thevenau, CEO – Properties, Retail & Brands of Omnicane, said. “With Mauritius already recognised for producing some of the world’s finest sugarcane, yielding up to 12 tons of sugar per hectare compared to the global average of 9.5 tons, we’re perfectly positioned to compete in the highest tiers of the global spirits market.”

The Major Philippe collection features three distinctive expressions, each named after significant Mauritian landmarks in the South of the Island where Major Philippe’s influence is still seen today: Britannia (a pure cane juice white rum), Mon Trésor (an oak-aged gold rum of exceptional purity), and Ilot Brocus (in two variants – a spiced rum and an indulgent sweet dark rum liquor which launches in 2026). Each expression captures the distinctive flavours shaped by Mauritius’ volcanic terroir and tropical microclimate.

This thoughtfully crafted range embodies the pioneering spirit of explorers and visionaries who established Mauritius as a significant player in global sugar production a century ago. The Major Philippe name honours those bold individuals whose legacy has shaped the island’s agricultural heritage. Since Omnicane’s founding in 1926, this tradition of excellence has been preserved through generations of passionate entrepreneurs.

“In every sip of Major Philippe, you can taste the culmination of a century of Mauritian expertise,” Thevenau said. “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.”

The company plans to initially target premium spirits markets in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with a special focus on luxury hospitality sectors.

Read more: Meyers’s Rum Releasing New Collections

About Major Philippe Rum

Major Philippe is a premium Mauritian rum distilled from locally grown sugarcane that embodies the spirit of explorers who once sailed to these shores seeking fortune and adventure. The collection features three distinctive expressions, each named after significant Mauritian landmarks in the South of the Island where Major Philippe’s influence is still seen today: Britannia (a pure cane juice white rum), Mon Trésor (an oak-aged gold rum of exceptional purity), and Ilot Brocus (in two variants – a spiced rum and an indulgent sweet dark rum liquor to be released in 2026). For more information, visit https://majorphilippe.com/.