ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Mauritius with Local Producer and Importer Grays
PAMPLEMOUSSES 21 March 2023 ecoSPIRITS has announced plans to launch closed loop service in Mauritius under a Licensed Operator Agreement with Grays Inc, a local spirits and wine producer and importer. Like other ecoSPIRITS island markets around the world, ecoSPIRITS Mauritius will release a fleet of Ocean Conservation edition ecoTOTEs™ and will join the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program to fund the removal of waste from marine environments. From this month, Grays’ flagship Mauritian rum – Lazy Dodo Rum – will be one of the first spirits available in ecoTOTE format in Mauritius, alongside Seven Seas cane spirit. These will be joined soon after by other spirits participating in the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program.
Lazy Dodo Rum, which uses sugarcane from one of the oldest plantations in Mauritius, will be one of the first brands in ecoTOTE on the island.
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a population of more than 1.3 million people. As one of the most developed economies in the African region, Mauritius boasts many contemporary bars, restaurants, and nightclubs as well as a plethora of stylish hotels and hotel bars. Sugar has been the island’s staple product and economic backbone for many centuries, with rum production only allowed to resume in the early 2000s. Using sugarcane juice to make alcohol was banned in Mauritius until 2000, although producers were allowed to use molasses to make rum. The country has now gained a good reputation for both its traditional rum, made from molasses, and Agricole-style rum, where the sugarcane juice is extracted for fermentation and distillation.
Many of the stylish hotel bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Mauritius overlook the island’s beautiful beaches and the Indian Ocean.
Grays is a leading producer, importer, and distributor of wines and spirits in Mauritius. The company set up the island’s first distillery in 1931 and is considered one of the pioneers of the distillation industry in Mauritius. It produces rum from the fermentation of molasses and pure sugarcane juice, and it also manages ageing cellars for its spirits. It distributes rums and other spirits through its local network, and it exports its own products to Europe, USA, Asia, and South Africa. Grays also imports wines from all over the world, including well-known brands such as Möet & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, Glenfiddich and Jack Daniels, among others.
Grays produces rum from pure sugarcane juice, as well as from the fermentation of molasses.
Closed loop distribution in ecoTOTE format will initially start with Grays’ rum brand: Lazy Dodo Rum, named as a tribute to the now extinct bird, which was indigenous to Mauritius. The other brand which will go into ecoTOTE as part of this first phase is the Mauritian brand Seven Seas cane spirit. For the second phase, later in 2023, these brands will be joined by additional spirits from Grays’ portfolio, including New Grove Rum in two SKUS: Bourbon Cask Aged Rum and Plantation Rum, George Cambridge Blended Scotch Whisky, Kiprinski Vodka, Rover Gin, and Dukes Refined Cane Liquor.
Lazy Dodo Single Estate Rum
Lazy Dodo is matured in French and American oak barrels and is aged for a period of three to 10 years. The rum is created from one of the oldest sugarcane plantations in Mauritius. It is naturally fermented, delicately distilled, aged, and then finely blended to produce a rum offering the natural flavours of the sugar cane.
Seven Seas cane spirit
Seven Seas was launched in 1976 and is proudly made in Mauritius. It is produced with the finest sugar cane in Mauritius and goes through a triple distillation process by master distillers to obtain a crystal pure cane spirit. It is also described as “the only vertically integrated cane spirit in Mauritius”.
Eliska Botha, Marketing Manager, Grays
“Grays is already a very eco-conscious business, but this partnership with ecoSPIRITS fits well with our sustainability efforts to date and helps us progress to the next stage of our vision. We are thrilled that our flagship brand Lazy Dodo will be one of the first to pioneer this system in Mauritius, and we hope this will help propel our brands as sustainable spirits pioneers onto the global stage. It’s very exciting to have this innovative technology in Mauritius because as an island nation, man-made waste is always at the forefront of our minds and we all want to play our part in looking after the environment.”
Iain McPherson, Sales Director, Europe
“I’m pleased to announce Grays as ecoSPIRITS’ Licensed Operator for Mauritius. Grays had the vision to create the first distillery on the island, where it has been producing high quality spirits for almost a century. Grays is now continuing to revolutionise Mauritius’ wine and spirits industry by introducing ecoSPIRITS’ closed loop technology. It’s been a pleasure to work with Grays’ highly skilled team in all areas of its business, across Production, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales. ecoSPIRITS Mauritius will significantly reduce the number of single use bottles imported to the island, remove 90% of the waste, and, via the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program, it will remove man-made waste from its beaches.”
As part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mauritius is working on protecting its marine ecosystems in the face of climate change. Like Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and the Seychelles, ecoSPIRITS Mauritius will join the ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program to fund the removal of waste from marine environments. As part of this, Lazy Dodo Rum will be deployed in the Blue Ocean Conservation ecoTOTE, which is used for Island nations. Grays will also host and operate ecoPLANT No. 033, acting as an expert operational partner for closed loop spirits processing for the region.
For more information about ecoSPIRITS Mauritius please contact Iain McPherson, Sales Director for Europe, on [email protected]. Brands, bars, restaurants, and hotels interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Mauritius may contact [email protected]. For media enquiries about ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Senior PR Manager, Sonya Hook on [email protected].
About Grays
Since 1931, Grays has forged itself the reputation of being a reliable producer and marketer of the best wines, spirits, and liqueurs in Mauritius. Our wines are imported from the best cellars in the world including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties, offering a great selection of wines from around the world; France, Chile, Italy, South Africa, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand and more. Additionally, we are proud to market rums through our local distribution network, giving our customers the taste of the local know-how, and export our products to Asia, Europe and USA.
For more information on Grays, please visit www.grays.mu
About ecoSPIRITS
ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants, hotels, and retailers have adopted the technology. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries by early 2023. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.
For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global
About the ecoSPIRITS Ocean Program
The ecoSPIRITS Oceans Program complements the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program for island nations that are most at risk from rising sea levels due to climate change. Highlighted by the striking blue Ocean Conservation Edition ecoTOTE, each order of an ecoTOTE by venue partners in participating island nations funds the removal of one kilogram of single use plastic, glass and other man-made wastes from endangered, coral reefs and waters. Using Green Steps Group’s proprietary “proof of impact” technology platform, cleanup operations are verified, monitored and reported through an industry-leading digital record. Ocean waste recovery benefits the venue partners but is jointly funded by ecoSPIRITS and our Climate Partner brands and distributors.
For more information on Green Steps Group, please visit www.greenstepsgroup.com
ecoSPIRITS Releases Second Generation Portfolio of SmartPour Technologies
SINGAPORE 16 March 2023 ecoSPIRITS has launched a second–generation portfolio of its SmartPour™ technology, offering enhanced capabilities, intelligent features and new design elements. The revamped SmartPour lineup now comprises the SmartPour 1.1S and the SmartPour 2.0S, for the company’s spirits brand partners; and, for the first time, a SmartPour dedicated to wine preservation and dispensing, the SmartPour 2.0W. With this latest release, SmartPours are now available to pair with both the 4.5L and 1.75L versions of the ecoTOTE™. Each of the second generation SmartPours is powered by CircularONE™, ecoSPIRITS’ cloud-based software platform that is central to its ambitious Intelligent Circular™ roadmap.
The second generation SmartPour portfolio: the 1.1S, 2.0S and 2.0W models.
The SmartPour is ecoSPIRITS’ proprietary electronic dispense unit, designed for the safe and hygienic transfer of spirits or wine from ecoTOTE to reusable glass bottles or directly to serving glassware. The first generation SmartPour was first released in November 2020 to give hospitality outlets the option to dispense a variety of accurate spirits measures, which can be pre-programmed to suit the needs of the venue and the local market. The latest generation of patent-pending SmartPour hardware has been enhanced by the CircularONE software platform, with a range of security, data and IoT features, allowing ecoSPIRITS to collect and send performance and supply chain data to and from each partner company. This includes accurate depletion data, as well as cloud-based location tracking for the global ecoTOTE fleet, whereby each individual ecoTOTE is tracked through its entire lifecycle of closed loop operations, including in the venue, when it is linked to a SmartPour for dispense. This all forms part of the ecoSPIRITS Intelligent Circular vision, which is powered by CircularONE, and will eventually offer the comprehensive integration of hardware and software to make circular much more robust, scalable and cost-effective.
The ecoSPIRITS closed loop system for spirits and wine distribution.
The SmartPour 1.1S is designed for ease of operations in the back-of-house area and as such, it offers all the basic SmartPour functions. This slimline unit is well suited to venues that require high volume bottle refilling, and its range of one push pour options allow for the fast, hygienic and accurate transfer of spirits from ecoTOTE to bottle. Its ergonomic design means that it is not only quick and straightforward to assemble, but it fits neatly on top of the ecoTOTE, without taking up unnecessary space. This user-friendly accessory, which perfectly complements the ecoTOTE, is also easy to store away. Each SmartPour 1.1S comes complete with accessories, including silicone inlet and extension hoses, which are used to extract the spirit brand from the ecoTOTE; a USB-C charging cable to charge the digital unit; and a pouring spout, to dispense spirits into bottles or glassware.
The SmartPour 1.1S is designed for ease of operations in the back-of-house area.
The SmartPour 2.0S is the second spirits dispense solution in the ecoSPIRITS SmartPour portfolio. Unlike the 1.1S, which is a simplified but easy-to-use dispense attachment, the 2.0S is designed with a visually striking outer casing, which fully encloses the ecoTOTE, giving venues the opportunity to make a feature of the circular hardware on the bar, where it can be made visible to consumers. These WiFi-enabled SmartPours offer the full range of ecoSPIRITS’ Intelligent Circular features, and they are also equipped with the company’s patent-pending Verified Sustainable Refill™ (VSR) feature, which uses NFC-based refill bottle authentication to ensure the spirit inside the ecoTOTE matches the brand on the bottle.
The SmartPour 2.0S offers the full range of ecoSPIRITS’ Intelligent Circular features.
Completing the trio of SmartPours is the innovative SmartPour 2.0W, which has been designed specifically for preserving and dispensing wine. This intelligent wine system pairs with the specialised ecoTOTE 3.0W for wine to make the sustainable reuse of branded wine bottles possible. An enhanced version of the SmartPour 2.0S, the 2.0W also offers inert N2 gas blanketing and wine temperature management, to allow for the hygienic and fresh transfer of wine from ecoTOTE to wine bottles, glassware, carafes and decanters. Like its SmartPour siblings, the 2.0W offers a fast, accurate pour every time, and has NFC-based bottle authentication with VSR. Both the SmartPour 2.0S and 2.0W have brand plate lighting, giving users the option to light up the digital display and the brand plate; an added feature for venues wanting to make their circular innovation visible to consumers.
The SmartPour 2.0W pairs with an N2 gas canister for wine preservation and management.
The new generation of SmartPours are available as standard Forest Green or Oceans Blue options or they can be developed with partner spirits and wine brands as a fully co-branded design. These can be showcased by venues, giving both the technology and branding high visibility to consumers. Co-branded SmartPours have already been deployed by several of ecoSPIRITS’ global customers, including Diageo, which now has co-branded Smirnoff Vodka SmartPour 2.0S’ in venues in Indonesia; and Pernod Ricard, which has co-branded Beefeater Gin, Havana Club and Absolut Vodka SmartPour 2.0S’ available for the Singapore market. Both companies are looking at expanding their footprints to cover additional regions. Meanwhile, in the UK, Remy Cointreau now has co-branded hardware for its Cointreau and Mount Gay rum brands. ecoSPIRITS adapted the SmartPour 2.0S Cointreau Edition to ensure the perfect dispense of Cointreau, because liqueurs behave differently to higher proof spirits. In addition, the True Believers brand, Los Arcos Destilado de Agave, saw its UK debut this month, sporting co-branded SmartPour 2.0S units. ecoSPIRITS is also preparing to launch co-branded versions of the SmartPour 2.0W in Australia with industry leader Accolade Wines, featuring one or more of their eco wine brands.
Derek Tang, Chief Technology Officer, ecoSPIRITS
“ecoSPIRITS developed its software platform, CircularONE, to give the company the ability to collect and send performance and supply chain data at real time to and from each partner, leading to improved closed loop efficiency. To link this with the ecoSPIRITS hardware required upgrades to the full portfolio, and this second generation of SmartPours represents the latest piece of this puzzle. For me, this is an exciting development because it brings to life ecoSPIRITS’ vision of a global Intelligent Circular network of IoT hardware, powered by software and data. As we develop CircularONE we will be adding new features and capabilities to these SmartPours, throughout 2023 and beyond.”
Shanshan Zhang, Head of Product Design, ecoSPIRITS
“We released our first SmartPours in November 2020 and via this innovative piece of equipment we have been able to transform the dispense experience for hundreds of venues all around the world. Now, just over two years later, we have evolved the functionality and look of the SmartPour, and linked it with our software platform. Our second-generation portfolio offers a range of options, depending on whether venues require high volume bottle refilling, Intelligent Circular features, or options to suit wine or spirits. We can also now give partner brands and venues the ability to make a feature of this technology as a co-branded unit at the bar, presenting this as a sustainable talking point for consumers to engage with.”
ecoSPIRITS has submitted patent applications for its latest SmartPour technologies and its Verified Sustainable Refill feature. These join existing patent applications in its system of closed loop technologies, including the ecoSPIRITS’ third–generation ecoTOTE 3.0, and the SmartKiosk™, which was launched in September last year. The latest generation of SmartPour hardware uses dual-frequency IoT module so it is capable of connecting to two different wireless frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. They also have programmable dispense volume buttons, enabling venues to set their own range of push pour options for the easy transfer of accurate measures of spirits or wine from the ecoTOTE. Additional smart features will be developed for the SmartPour portfolio over time. For media enquiries or general information about ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Senior PR Manager, at [email protected].
About ecoSPIRITS
ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by mid 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.
For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global
ecoSPIRITS to Launch in Denmark with Spirits Distributor Local Spirits
COPENHAGEN 1 March 2023 ecoSPIRITS is to launch in Denmark, appointing one of the country’s leading independent spirits distributors, Local Spirits, as its Licensed Operator for the country. ecoSPIRITS Denmark will bring closed loop spirits to the Danish market, with venues in Copenhagen among the first in the country to receive closed loop spirits service. A range of Local Spirits’ spirit brands will be available in low waste ecoTOTE™ format by this summer, to be joined later in the year by other spirits producers participating in the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program. This partnership paves the way for the expansion of closed loop service across Scandinavia, alongside its recently launched neighbour, ecoSPIRITS Norway, and it builds on Denmark’s position as the greenest country in the world in 2022, according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
Venues in Copenhagen will be among the first in Denmark to receive spirits brands in ecoTOTE format.
Local Spirits is a Danish drinks company, which distributes predominantly local and organic spirits to the on and off-trade sectors. The company was founded in 2016 by the entrepreneurs behind some of the country’s most popular craft spirits, including Skotlander Rum, Herbie Gin and Den Klodsede Bjorn Vodka. Local Spirits now sells and distributes more than 300 products from 25 different Danish producers, as well as a few international craft brands. Local Spirits is focused on sustainable products and practices, and partnering with ecoSPIRITS represents the latest stage of its sustainability journey. The company makes an effort to work with producers who are respectful of the environment, particularly those which use local or organic ingredients. Currently around 40% of its portfolio is certified as organic.
Great Dane Rum and Bay Boy Coffee Liqueur will be two of the first brands in ecoTOTE format in Denmark.
Denmark, which has a population of around 5.8 million people, is made up of the Jutland Peninsular and more than 400 islands in the North Sea. The largest of the islands is Zealand, where the country’s capital Copenhagen is located, while the second largest city, Aarhus, is Jutland’s major urban centre. Copenhagen is also Denmark’s foodie capital and is a city known for its Michelin stars. ecoSPIRITS Denmark will initially launch in Copenhagen, where most of Local Spirits’ activity currently takes place. The first brands to go into ecoTOTE will be Bad Company Spirits’ Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur, Bad Dog Orange Liqueur, Lemon Says Hello Limoncello; Local Spirits Distilled Vodka and Local Spirits Distilled Gin; Great Dane Rum, and Ellenor Elderflower Liqueur.
Bad Company Spirits
Bad Company Spirits is a Danish producer of niche spirits, including the organic Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur, Bad Dog Orange Liqueur and Lemon Says Hello Limoncello. Bad Boy Coffee Liqueur is made from cold brew coffee to extract a more concentrated and less bitter taste. Bad Dog Orange Liqueur is the first orange liqueur made in Denmark.
Local Spirits Distilled
This collection includes an organic gin and an organic vodka. The former is a handmade organic Danish gin, made using organic botanicals including lemon peel, coriander seeds, liquorice root, and juniper berries. The handmade organic vodka is a wheat-based alcohol made using double-filtered water to create a smooth and silky spirit.
Great Dane Rum
This rum is an exclusive blend of rums from selected distilleries in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Jamaica and Panama. First, the rum is distilled and stored in ex-bourbon casks in a tropical climate. After arriving in Denmark, with its much cooler climate, the rum is given a cask finish in vessels previously used by the award-winning Danish Skotlander Rum.
Ellenor
Ellenor is an organic elderflower liqueur, which offers an intense flavour of aromatic elderflowers and fresh lemons. Ellenor was created in partnership with mixologist Hasse Johansen from the cocktail bar St Paul’s Aphotek in Aarhus, Denmark. This award-winning spirit can be enjoyed neat over ice or as a base for cocktails.
The Danish government aims to make Denmark a green front-runner in global climate action to inspire and encourage the rest of the world. Its government has introduced a binding Climate Act with a national target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% below 1990 levels by 2030, and climate neutrality by 2050. This – and other efforts – helped Denmark rank first in the Environmental Performance Index 2022. Companies from all around the world are looking to Denmark for inspiration, with respect to its environmental achievements. Denmark has the world’s leading Deposit and Return System, which ensures the recycling of disposable beverage packaging made of plastic, aluminium and glass. Currently, more than 2.2 billion bottles and cans are handled by the system annually, and with a population of 5.8 million, this equates to every Dane depositing a bottle or can daily. The system does not include bottles and packaging for spirits and the ecoSPIRITS technology is therefore a perfect fit with the Danish market.
Denmark is considered the greenest country in the world and wants to be a green front–runner in global climate action.
Under this latest ecoSPIRITS Licensed Operator partnership, ecoPLANT No. 037 will be commissioned in Copenhagen, starting this month, and ecoSPIRITS closed loop service is set to commence in May, starting with bars, restaurants, and hotels in Copenhagen. Denmark will also participate in the ecoSPIRITS Forest Program, planting one tree for every ecoTOTE delivered to hospitality venues.
Martin Damgaard, Co-founder and CEO of Local Spirits
“For several years now, we have been pioneering the use of spirits in bulk format to bars and restaurants. For us this has been a way to reduce the waste from single use glass, but it has also given us an opportunity to reduce the price of locally produced and organic products by removing the bottle and bottling costs. Partnering with ecoSPIRITS is a natural progression for the work we have done so far in exploring sustainable packaging and distribution solutions, and it will enable us to extend our reach and capacity. Our partner venues are very excited to take this next step in an even more sustainable direction with us.”
Iain McPherson, Sales Director, Europe
“At ecoSPIRITS we place a great deal of importance in building strong relationships and finding a partner that knows the market well, and we believe Local Spirits is the perfect fit. The company has a track record of working with – and supplying – some of the best venues and events in Denmark, and it’s clear that Anne, Martin and Jeppe have a great enthusiasm to bring the #nosingeuseglass revolution to the wines and spirits industry in Denmark. We can’t wait to get started!”
Bars, hotels, restaurants, distributors and brands that are interested in joining the ecoSPIRITS Climate Partner Program in Denmark can contact Iain McPherson, Sales Director for Europe at ecoSPIRITS on [email protected] or [email protected]. For more information about ecoSPIRITS you may contact Sonya Hook, ecoSPIRITS Senior PR Manager, on [email protected].
About Local Spirits
Local Spirits was founded in 2016 under the name Nordic Spirits. The company was founded by a number of the first small independent spirits producers in Denmark such as Skotlander Rum, Herbie Gin and Den Klodsede Bjørn Vodka with the aim of creating a distribution platform for the Danish micro-producers. Local Spirits currently sells over 300 products from 25 different Danish producers. In addition to specialist shops, our customers include restaurants, bars, festivals and hotels, including many of Denmark’s most high-profile brands such as the Roskilde Festival, the Guldsmeden hotels and Villa Copenhagen. Ever since our foundation, we have had an ambition to help promote ecology to our growing number of eco-focused customers. Through our close collaboration with Roskilde Festival and the 100% organic hotel chain Guldsmeden Hotels, we have sought to make local organic products part of the core of our business.
For information, please visit www.localspirits.dk
About ecoSPIRITS
ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides both a powerful cost advantage and a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. More than 1,500 leading bars, restaurants and hotels have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow to 25 countries worldwide by early 2023. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers and venues, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating thousands of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.
For information, please visit www.ecospirits.global