FIRST JOURNEYS - 80 GINS AROUND THE WORLD - PIN 22 OF 80
AROUND THE WORLD, ONE BOTTLE AT A TIME,
PHILEAS FOGG WOULD SURELY APPROVE
I'm sure many of you remember the movie Up, but did you know that much of the inspiration and research behind its breathtaking landscapes came from Venezuela?
The incredible tepuis (vast flat-topped mountains) and the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls, located in Canaima National Park, helped inspire the setting for Paradise Falls—the place where Carl's house eventually comes to rest as he fulfils his and his wife's lifelong dream.
The Amazon is a land full of mystery, ancient landscapes and fascinating legends, and one of those legends is the Canaima. For the Pemón people, who have lived in this region for centuries, kanaima represents a powerful and feared spiritual force associated with harm and vengeance. It is said to take many forms, from animals to mythical creatures, and traditional beliefs use it to explain misfortune, illness and unexplained events.
So perhaps it is a rather unusual name for a gin—after all, this is a spirit linked with something feared rather than celebrated! But gin has historically had its own complicated reputation, so perhaps it is strangely fitting.
The Canaima National Park is enormous, covering an area roughly the size of Belgium, and much of it remains remote and difficult to access. The iconic Angel Falls were always known to the indigenous communities, but the outside world discovered them more recently.
The falls are named after Jimmie Angel, an American aviator who flew over them in 1933 while searching for gold deposits and returned in 1937, when his aircraft crash-landed on the top of Auyán-tepui.
Unable to take off again, Angel and his companions had to descend the mountain on foot—a journey that took around 11 days. His plane remained on the tepui for decades before being removed in 1970, restored and placed on display at the airport in Ciudad Bolívar.
The aircraft itself became part of the story, although there has been a long-running disagreement over where it should ultimately be displayed.
There are also earlier European records of the falls, including those of explorer Félix Cardona, but it was Jimmie Angel's flights and the stories surrounding them that brought global attention to this incredible place.
Back to the gin though, and Canaïma Gin is very much rooted in its environment. Like many craft distillers, they have used local botanicals and partnerships to create a spirit that tells the story of a specific place.
The gin is produced in Venezuela by the team behind Diplomático Rum, using a combination of traditional gin botanicals and ingredients inspired by the Amazon rainforest.
The recipe includes ten rainforest botanicals, alongside classic gin ingredients, with local flavours such as tropical fruits, spices and herbs bringing a real sense of place to the spirit.
The brand also works with local communities, creating opportunities for indigenous harvesters and supporting rainforest conservation projects. Even the label reflects their environmental approach, being made from recycled and biodegradable paper.
Venezuela is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and this gin captures that sense of adventure. It is aromatic and full of tropical character, with the rainforest botanicals giving it a distinctive personality rather than simply recreating a traditional gin profile.
“A journey into the lost world of Venezuela’s rainforest.”
The recommended serve is with grapefruit soda, but I decided to create my own Jungle Spritz—Canaïma Gin, grapefruit juice and topped with London Essence Peach & Jasmine Soda.
A fitting drink for a journey through Venezuela's lost world of waterfalls, tepuis and ancient legends.
"Show me a bottle
and I'll tell you a story."