Quick answer
Mendis, the arrack house of W. M. Mendis and Co, is one of Sri Lanka's long-established distillers. In 2026 its everyday special and extra special arracks cost roughly US$10 to US$14 for a 750 ml bottle, US$5.50 to US$7.50 for a half and US$3 to US$4 for a quarter in licensed shops, close to rival brands. Its older styles cost roughly US$12 to US$22 and its coconut arracks more. Availability is strongest in the west and south.
Key takeaways
- Mendis is one of Sri Lanka's long-established family arrack houses.
- Its everyday special and extra special arracks cost roughly US$10 to US$14 a full bottle in 2026.
- Mendis prices sit within a dollar or two of other houses' everyday bottles.
- Older and coconut styles in the range cost more, from roughly US$12 upwards.
- Mendis is easiest to find in the west and south of the island.
Who Mendis is
Mendis is the arrack name of W. M. Mendis and Co, a family distilling business with deep roots in the coastal belt south of Colombo, the same region where most coconut toddy is tapped. It is one of the older names in the trade and remains a familiar sight on wine store shelves.
The house has a loyal following, particularly among older drinkers in the west and south, and some local bars pour it as their default. In other regions it may share shelf space with larger rivals or be stocked in fewer sizes.
As with every brand, exact range names and packaging change over time, so read the category on the label rather than relying on the colour of the box.
- →A long-established family distilling house.
- →Roots in the coconut-tapping coast south of Colombo.
- →A loyal following in the west and south.
The everyday bottle and its price
Mendis everyday special and extra special arracks are priced in the gal bracket. In 2026 a full 750 ml bottle costs roughly US$10 to US$14 in a licensed shop, a half roughly US$5.50 to US$7.50 and a quarter roughly US$3 to US$4.
Like other everyday arracks, these are light blends of neutral spirit with coconut arrack, at around 33.5 per cent alcohol, meant for long drinks. Drinkers who prefer the house often describe it as having a little more character than the default bottle, though that is a matter of taste and habit.
Prices are close to rival houses, often within a dollar. Excise duty, which makes up much of the price, is the same for every brand.
- →Full bottle: roughly US$10 to US$14.
- →Half: roughly US$5.50 to US$7.50.
- →Quarter: roughly US$3 to US$4.
The range above the everyday bottle
Above its everyday bottles, Mendis makes older and blended styles with more flavour, priced roughly US$12 to US$22 for a full bottle, and coconut arracks that sit higher, broadly within the US$20 to US$35 band for pure coconut arrack.
These upper styles are less widely stocked than the everyday bottle. Larger wine stores in Colombo, Galle and the coastal towns are the likeliest places to find them, and duty-free selections vary.
For a gift or for sipping, compare a Mendis upper-range bottle with those of other houses on the same shelf; prices for similar categories tend to be close.
- →Older styles: roughly US$12 to US$22.
- →Coconut arracks: broadly US$20 to US$35.
- →Best stocked in larger coastal wine stores.
Where to buy Mendis arrack
Mendis arrack is sold in licensed wine stores and supermarket liquor counters, most consistently in the Western and Southern provinces. Local bars in coastal towns may pour it by the quarter. In the north, east and hill country, choice may be narrower.
Lankan Stays & Trails guides on the south coast often have an opinion on Mendis versus its rivals and can point out a licensed store that stocks it alongside the other houses, so you can compare.
- →Most consistent in the west and south.
- →Local bars may pour it by the quarter.
- →Narrower choice in other regions.
Mendis against the other houses
Against DCSL, Rockland and IDL, Mendis everyday arrack is similarly priced and similar in strength. Loyalists notice differences in sweetness and coconut note, and the only reliable way to judge is to taste two quarters side by side with soda water and lime.
Its advantage is character and regional loyalty rather than price or reach. Visitors staying on the coast south of Colombo will find it easily; those touring the hill country may need to pick it up on the way.
- →Similar price and strength to rivals.
- →Character and loyalty rather than reach.
- →Easiest to find on the south-west coast.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Mendis arrack?
In 2026 a 750 ml bottle of Mendis everyday special or extra special arrack costs roughly US$10 to US$14 in a licensed shop, a half roughly US$5.50 to US$7.50 and a quarter roughly US$3 to US$4. Upper-range styles cost more. Check the printed price, since excise changes often.
Who makes Mendis arrack?
Mendis arrack is made by W. M. Mendis and Co, a long-established family distilling house with roots in the coconut-tapping coast south of Colombo. It makes everyday blended arracks and older and coconut styles, and is one of the familiar names on Sri Lankan shelves.
Is Mendis better than DCSL?
Neither is objectively better. Their everyday bottles are similar in price and strength, and loyal drinkers of each describe small differences in sweetness and coconut character. Taste a quarter of each with soda water and lime to decide which you prefer.
Where is Mendis arrack sold?
Mendis arrack is sold in licensed wine stores and supermarket liquor counters across Sri Lanka, most consistently in the Western and Southern provinces. Coastal local bars may pour it by the quarter. Selection in the north, east and hill country can be narrower.
Does Mendis make coconut arrack?
Mendis makes coconut arracks above its everyday blended bottles, broadly within the US$20 to US$35 band typical of pure coconut arrack in 2026. Check the label for the words 100 per cent coconut, and look in larger wine stores, where the upper range is best stocked.
Is Mendis arrack exported?
Some Mendis bottlings reach specialist shops abroad, but availability outside Sri Lanka is patchy and prices are much higher. The everyday bottle is best bought on the island, where it costs a fraction of any export price.
Is Mendis a good arrack for first-timers?
Yes, as a quarter. It is a typical everyday arrack, light and slightly sweet, and works well with soda, cola or ginger beer. Buying a quarter of Mendis and a quarter of another house lets a first-timer compare styles for very little money.