FIRST JOURNEYS - 80 GINS AROUND THE WORLD - PIN 21 OF 80

AROUND THE WORLD, ONE BOTTLE AT A TIME,

PHILEAS FOGG WOULD SURELY APPROVE



Today's stop takes me to Grenada, the Spice Island of the Caribbean, where I discovered a gin that captures everything this beautiful island is known for—colour, warmth and an abundance of incredible botanicals.


The story of Blue Light Caribbean Gin begins with Jim Jardine, a Canadian software developer who decided it was time to slow things down. In 2010, he and his wife left Canada and moved to Grenada, where he quickly fell in love with the island's incredible natural resources.



Initially, Jim set up a tropical fruit juice business, making the most of the abundance of fresh fruit growing around him. However, after considering whether one of his fruit tanks could become a still and then accidentally ending up with a batch of fermented orange juice, the idea of making gin started to take hold!


Around this time, Jim met Aaron Salyer, an Australian coastal engineer who had swapped his previous career for sailing and digital marketing. Together, they created Blue Light Caribbean Gin, launching the brand in 2018 and finding the perfect home for their distillery at Le Phare Bleu Marina, overlooking Petite Calivigny Bay.


Both the marina and the gin take their name from the historic blue lightship moored there, which was transported from Stockholm and now sits proudly as part of the resort. It is a rather unusual setting for a distillery and one that perfectly reflects the adventurous spirit behind the brand.

Jim and Aaron were also passionate about protecting Grenada's beautiful coastline, and through sales of their colour-changing Blue Ocean Edition, they supported marine conservation projects including beach clean-ups and coral reef protection.


The gin itself is a true taste of the island. Using a cane spirit base, it is infused with around 15 botanicals, including local favourites such as nutmeg, cacao, star anise, cardamom and coriander, alongside Seville orange, grapefruit and lime peel. Fresh and dried botanicals are combined with island water to create a gin that feels completely connected to its surroundings.


Grenada is famous for its spices, particularly nutmeg and mace, which are such an important part of the island's identity that nutmeg even appears on the national flag. The spice trade has shaped Grenada's history for centuries, and although the industry was badly affected by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, nutmeg remains one of its defining exports.



Nutmeg is also a fascinating botanical for gin makers, as it adds an earthy sweetness and helps to lengthen the finish. Historically, it was even believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, although I'll leave those old traditions behind and simply enjoy the flavour!

This gin is very different from a traditional London Dry, but that is exactly what makes it so special. It is warm, aromatic and full of Caribbean character, with those beautiful spice notes shining through.



“A Caribbean gin born from sunshine, spices and a change of pace.”



Rather than a simple G&T, I decided to play on the nutmeg finish and make a Classic Gin Sling. Gin Slings have been enjoyed for well over a century and traditionally combine gin, sugar, ice, water and a generous grating of nutmeg. Modern versions often add citrus, vermouth, bitters or soda, creating a cocktail that sits somewhere between old and new.


A fitting serve for a gin from the Spice Island—full of history, flavour and a little Caribbean sunshine in the glass.




"Show me a bottle

and I'll tell you a story."