Mainbrace Announces Support for Clean Ocean Sailing

Ahead of World Ocean Day on 8th June, Cornish spirits brand, Mainbrace, has announced a new partnership with local ocean-cleaning initiative, Clean Ocean Sailing.

Mainbrace, a Cornish spirits brand known for its multi-award-winning rum and gin range, has announced its support for Clean Ocean Sailing, a local initiative aiming to clean up ocean plastics in Cornwall and beyond.

Founded by Cornish couple, Steve Green and Monika Hertlóva, Clean Ocean Sailing aims to clean up the sea by collecting plastics from less accessible areas of the coastline, which are then sorted, reused, or recycled. The organisation also provides regular recycling workshops, boat restorations, and sailing training for volunteers around Cornwall and beyond.

Its efforts have been noted across the country, with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson lending his support for Clean Ocean Sailing by presenting the team with a Points of Light award last year.

This is a natural partnership for Mainbrace, whose name itself stems from the old naval saying, to “splice the mainbrace”. In the days of sail, the mainbrace was a thick rope that steadied the main mast of a ship. When targeted by enemy fire, the brave team of sailors who spliced the rope back together would be rewarded with a double ration of rum or gin. Taking inspiration from the courage, teamwork, and friendship forged in the heart of battle, Mainbrace aims to add a modern spin on a traditional drink by evoking the spirit of the sea and highlighting the plight of the ocean.

Richard Haigh, Co-Founder of Mainbrace, elaborated: “As the spirit of the sea is at the heart of everything we do, we’re excited and proud to be able to contribute to Clean Ocean Sailing’s cause. As well as making a monthly donation towards keeping the oceans clean, we will be partnering with Clean Ocean Sailing to promote sustainable travel, as the team will be making some rum and gin deliveries as part of their voyages”.

About Mainbrace

Launched at the end of 2019, Mainbrace is a family-owned brand based in Helford Passage, Cornwall. The idea to enter the spirits business was sparked on a summer’s day at the Ferryboat Inn in Helford Passage, where the family were watching the local gig rowers celebrating after a race. That spirit of teamwork and celebration inspired them to bottle the moment, and thus, Mainbrace was born. As a family of varied tastes, they wanted to create a Cornish rum that would suit a variety of usage options, fitting perfectly into a refreshing long drink, a sophisticated cocktail, or a drink that could be savoured neat. In the quest for the perfect blend that captured the spirit of the sea, they worked with mixologists in Cornwall and London to experiment with different flavours, eventually setting on a blend of two styles that have never been bottled together before: English Navy Rum from Guyana and Agricole Rhum from Martinique

The name Mainbrace is inspired by the naval term to “splice the mainbrace”, which embodies the spirit of courage, teamwork, and loyalty. In the days of sail, the main mast was steadied, or braced, with a thick rope called the mainbrace. If it was cut by enemy fire in battle a team of naval ratings (sailors) had to splice the rope back together under enemy fire to save the ship and win the battle. As a reward for successfully achieving this herculean task the captain would order the ship’s pusser (purser) to issue a double ration of rum to the team of ratings as a toast to victory.

To ‘splice the mainbrace’ inevitably became a naval euphemism for an important celebration and was always accompanied with the toast ‘The King – God Bless Him’ or ‘The Queen – God Bless Her.’

Mainbrace therefore embodies the spirit of celebrating a victory, no matter how big or small. As the spirit of the sea, it is the essence of the sea, the ethos of maritime life, and a drink most associated with the sea.

Drinking Mainbrace Rums

Mainbrace Rum is produced using locally sourced sugar cane and traditional pot and column still distillation – the same methods that were used to make navy rum for the British as far back as 1732. We take our rum seriously so there are no sweeteners, colourings, or other additives included in the blend.

When tasting Mainbrace Premium Golden Rum, the nose is initially dominated with notes of dried fruits and toffee. Over time, it offers notes of sweet apple and spices. The pallet starts with grassy notes that quickly give way to caramel and toffee nuances. The finish is long and smooth with a subtle warming spiciness, making it an extremely well-balanced rum.

Mainbrace Navy Strength Rum is consistent with the Royal Navy Standard of 54.5%. This was the lowest alcohol content that would still allow gunpowder to light if it were soaked in the rum. The term “proof” comes from testing whether the rum was of a high enough ABV to light the wet gunpowder.

The nose begins with sweet woody aromas that eventually subside to dried fruits and caramel. The palate has an initial peppery spice that quickly become naturally sweet treacle notes with a hint of spiced vanilla.

You can read our review of Mainbrace Rum by clicking here…

Drinking Mainbrace Cornish Dry Gin

Mainbrace Gin is handcrafted in Penzance, Cornwall using a traditional copper pot still in the London Dry style. Mainbrace Cornish Dry Gin is therefore artisanally crafted by distilling natural botanicals, with artificial flavourings or additives after distillation strictly prohibited according to the London Dry style.

To capture the spirit of the sea, the gin is made with Cornish water and local botanicals, namely lemon verbena harvested from St. Michael’s Mount, and three different types of seaweed, namely kelp, dulse, and sea spaghetti. These seaweeds create a delicious umami palate which is complemented by juniper, orris, lemon and lime peel, angelica roof, and lime leaf for a subtle citrus flavour.

The gin’s unique flavour can be enjoyed in a classic gin and tonic or in a selection of cocktails, a selection of which can be found on the Mainbrace website, with the Gimlet being the best cocktail to show off the gin.

Mainbrace Premium Golden Rum, Mainbrace Navy Strength Rum and Mainbrace Cornish Dry Gin are available to buy at select group of distributors, including Master of Malt, Distoo, Drink Finder, The Rum Company, Amazon and The Whisky Exchange.

Alternatively, please email hello@mainbracerum.com to order your own bottle or visit https://www.mainbracerum.com/shop 

For more information, please visit www.mainbracerum.com