Mainstay International

Year established: 1954
Year closed:
Owner:
Web page: http://www.mainstay.co.za/
Mail address:
Type of still: Continuous column still
Production capacity:
Location:
History:
It was created in the cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal and originally known as 'gavine' or 'mystery liquor'. As the name implies, cane spirit is distilled from fermented molasses, by the continuous column still method. Mainstay was launched in KwaZulu-Natal in 1954 and attained national status by 1967. Initially, it was sold in local shebeens to an Indian and black market. From the mid-1960s, a growing number of consumers in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, started taking to cane spirits. [14]

“The production process is identical to vodka, using the same continuous column still, with the base ingredient being either molasses or sugar cane. Mainstay Original Premium is five times distilled. Cane spirit production in South Africa follows the same laws as vodka production in the U.S. and Europe, which means that a cane can always be called a vodka, but a vodka can't necessarily be called a cane. Because of this, Mainstay Premium Original is judged as a vodka at international awards and, in 2007, won the International Wine and Spirit Competition award for "the World's Best Vodka.".”

Products:
Premium Light Rum 43% alc/vol
Mainstay Premium Pure Cane Spirit 43%

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