Caribbean Gin

The origins of gin may be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages, making it an alcoholic beverage with a long and fascinating history. It was originally developed in the Netherlands as a medical tonic and had massive popularity in 18th-century England. While most people identify gin with England, there is also some historical connections to the Caribbean. The origins of gin in the Caribbean Gin first made its way to the Caribbean in the early 1700s, when English and Dutch colonists began distilling their own versions of the spirit using local ingredients. These early gins were often made using sugarcane, which was abundant in the Caribbean, and were used as a way to preserve and flavor the cane. According to “Gin: A Global History” by Leslie G. Heuberger and Andrew F. Smith (2011), the first recorded reference to gin in the Caribbean can be traced back to the island of Barbados in 1650. The rise of the rum trade Gin was popular among colonists, although it was never as widely available as rum. The Caribbean’s prefered alcoholic beverage soon came to be rum, which was fermented from molasses, a byproduct of the sugarcane industry. Exported Caribbean rum reaped enormous profits for the rum trade. A decrease in gin output may be attributed to the expansion of the rum industry. There are a number of factors that led to rum’s meteoric rise to prominence in the Caribbean. To begin with, sugarcane, which is used to produce rum, grows better in the Caribbean than grains, which are used to make gin. Second, rum was cheaper to create than gin because it required fewer inputs to make. Last but not least, rum was more accessible than gin since it could be produced locally whereas gin required importation of components. The modern era of Caribbean Gin Gin has seen a return in popularity throughout the Caribbean in recent years. The rising global demand for gin is one reason for this trend. Gin allows distillers to experiment with a wide variety of ingredients and manufacturing techniques, satisfying the growing demand from consumers for handcrafted, one-of-a-kind goods. As the first Caribbean Style Gin, Blue Light Caribbean Gin was an early leader in this trend. It is created in Grenada and is distilled in small amounts using spices like nutmeg and cinnamon as well as chocolate and citrous fruits. We take great care in sourcing and blending these ingredients to produce a gin that is well-rounded and delicious with a velvety smoothness. Blue Light Gin was created with the intention of transporting drinkers to the islands and “capturing the laid-back, tropical lifestyle of the Caribbean”. Caribbean Gin has gone on to win multiple spirit competitions around the globe with even a Gold Medal at the World Spirit Awards in Luxembourg. Gintourism The resurgence of gin in the Caribbean has also been aided by the growth of the tourism industry in the region. Tourists are always looking for unique and authentic experiences, and trying local spirits is often a part of that experience. Distillers are taking advantage of this trend by offering tours and tastings at their distilleries, allowing visitors to learn about the history and production of gin in the Caribbean. Try some Caribbean Gin today, we ship internationally! In conclusion, gin has played a small role Caribbean history, despite the fact that it never quite reached the same level of popularity as rum. However, with the resurgence of interest in craft spirits and the growth of the tourism industry in the region, however, gin is once again making a comeback in the Caribbean. Blue Light Caribbean Gin is leading the way with its hand-crafted, small batch approach and unique blend of tropical flavors. So next time you’re in the mood for a gin with a tropical twist, consider giving Blue Light Gin a try. You won’t be disappointed!   Historic References Aaron SalyerGin enthusiast and Caribbean Dreamer.

Blue Light Distillery wins a Silver medal at the 4th London Spirits Competition for its Caribbean Gin, which took place in London on March 17, 2021. The medal is an ultimate endorsement in the global spirits industry.  Caribbean Gin scored highly in the three judging aspects of quality, value and packaging. The Award The London Spirits Competition stands apart from other spirits competitions by awarding spirits for their drinkability. Where other competitions focus solely on technical competence and distilling prowess, the London Spirits Competitions goes further to evaluate a spirit for its all-around excellence – in the way it tastes, looks and the value it provides. They believe that this golden triangle makes spirit drinkers more likely to buy and drink the spirit either from a retail store or at a bar or restaurant and want to laud this.  CEO Sid Patel of event organizer Beverage Trade Network mentions that “Spirits brands consumers are looking for an-round experience when drinking a spirit. The spirit needs to hit all the right notes to be enjoyed again and again. So, at the London Spirits Competition, we evaluate spirits that contribute to a spirit’s overall drinkability. Along with the quality, spirits are assessed for their appearance and value.” The Judging Panel The judging panel of 2021 was drawn from leading spirits industry professionals with direct commercial buying responsibility. This establishes the winners at the competition to be agreeable to the on-premise trade and consumer alike. Spirits were judged on the basis of three primary criteria – quality, value and packaging – and then scored on a 100-point scale.  “The extremely qualified judges, the chance to compete with thousands of excellent spirits from around the world, and the stringent judging criteria of quality, value, and packaging makes an award from the London Spirits Competition a coveted one. We are pleased that our Caribbean Gin performed so well at the competition,” said Blue Light Distillery. “This Silver medal demonstrates that the spirits we are making are the kind that bar managers and mixologists want to stock and spirits drinkers enjoy drinking.” About Blue Light Distillery & Caribbean Gin  Located on a boutique, beachfront resort, Blue Light Distillery is the birthplace of Caribbean Gin. Combining the unique, tropical botanicals from the “Isle of Spice” to make a new spirit not normally associated with the archipelago. Their aim has been to highlight the fresh and locally produced botanicals with a strong environmental awareness campaign focused on the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean Gin is available in the UK, online! About the London Spirits Competition  The London Spirits Competition is one of the leading international spirits competitions of its kind that rates spirits by their quality, value and packaging. The organizers of the event are Beverage Trade Network, organizing beverage industry events around the world. The competition happens annual in London every year.  Aaron SalyerGin enthusiast and Caribbean Dreamer.

At the 2020 Bartender Spirits Awards, the second edition which took place in San Francisco this August, Blue Light Distillery won a Silver medal, which is the ultimate seal of approval in the global spirits on-premise industry. Blue Light Caribbean Gin needed to score highly in all aspects of judging: Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package & Price. This competition recognizes that bartenders are the true influencers – their passions and tastes provide direction for the consumer, especially via their guidance with wine, beer or spirit recommendations. The creation of new drinks is often driven by bartender tastes and perceptions of current trends. According to CEO Sid Patel of event organizer Beverage Trade Network, “Idea of Bartender Spirits Awards is to put the best judges forward to evaluate the best on-premise spirits for the consumers. We were very pleased with the quality of the spirits we received in the first year of the competition” Spirits were judged on the basis of: Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package & Price. “We are extremely pleased that our spirits performed so highly at the recent Bartenders Spirits Awards,” said Blue Light Distillery. “Winning an award is particularly important to us because it shows that we are making the types of spirits that spirits drinkers actually want to buy and enjoy.” About Blue Light Caribbean Gin  Blue Light tropical distillery is located only steps away from a white sand beach. It creates a unique range of Caribbean Gin and was established in 2018. The handcrafted gin uses locally sourced botanicals from the ‘isle of spice’, telling a new story with world-famous ingredients.  About the Bartender Spirits Awards The Bartender Spirits Awards looks to looks to identify spirits that should become additions to bar inventories.  The aim of the spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands looking to enter the U.S. on-premise industry.   The organizers of the event are Beverage Trade Network, a leading online platform dedicated to connecting the global beverage industry. The BTN platform helps the beverage professionals connect with peers and understand the global business landscape, leading to the overall growth of the beverage industry. Beverage Trade Network also hosts other events such as, IBWSS shows (London, Shanghai, and San Francisco), along with other events including USA Trade Tastings, London Competitions (Wine, Beer & Spirits), USA ratings (Beer & Spirits), and 14 other events around the world. Aaron SalyerGin enthusiast and Caribbean Dreamer.

Our newest product is the Blue Ocean Edition Caribbean Gin. Unique to the Caribbean it is a product designed with a purpose: To create much needed awareness of the Caribbean coral status To have a positive impact on the sea It also tastes great and changes colour, but there’s more about that in this article. Why make a Blue Ocean Edition? We are ocean enthusiasts. The Caribbean Sea has been an inspiration to the way we live and the way in which we create our gin. So, what better way for us to celebrate and give back to the beautiful Caribbean Sea than to make a product dedicated to it. The aim of our new Blue Ocean Edition is two fold: To create awareness of the Caribbean coral/marine life status To positively contribute to the enhancement &/or protection of the marine environment This blue gin is more than a bottle. It is our passion. What is Blue Ocean Edition Gin? What makes the Blue Ocean edition special? Here are some of the reasons that our Blue Gin is getting attention around the world. How is it Blue? Yes, it’s blue. Naturally dyed blue using a locally grown flower (Butterfly Pea). The gin making process strips the natural colour from the flower as well as a slight, floral aroma. When you drink the Blue Ocean gin you can smell taste the floral tones. This adds a unique palate and creates an interesting addition to those who like tropical flavors. It changes colour One of the coolest things about the Blue Ocean Edition gin is that the natural blue colour actually changes when you mix it with different substances. Acidic liquids, such as lime juice, grapefruit or even tonic have a natural reaction with the colour pH and cause a reaction that results in a pinkish/lilac colour. The colour will vary depending on how much acidity you add. The colour will also change when you add something neutral such as coconut water. The pinkish colour returns back to a blue. It supports ocean projects The main driving force of this Blue Ocean Edition is its link to the ocean. The Caribbean has lost 80% of its coral life and cover in the last 50 years The Guardian This is a huge impact. The major amount of loss is due to: Natural Causes Global Warming Hurricanes Invasive Species Human Interference Overfishing Coastal Development Pollution We feel that there needs to be a lot more awareness of this huge impact and hope that through creating this Ocean inspired product, the Caribbean can get international attention for its huge coral loss. The Ocean Projects With our close proximity to the sea we are able to access the beaches and surrounding reefs. There are a couple of ways that we are directly making a difference: Beach Cleanups One of the best ways to make a difference in ocean pollution is to collect the trash before it makes its way into the sea. Organizing and participating in local beach cleanups (and underwater cleanups) through organizations like Green Up Grenada Artificial Reef Projects Financial contribution and monitoring services of artificial reef projects like the Grand Anse Artificial Reef Project This project helps develop local coral growth and promote the education of the coral and marine life importance Blue Ocean Edition Launch We launched the Blue Ocean Edition gin on World Oceans Day 2020 (June 8th). This was done to highlight and showcase our love for the sea. The Showcase Barrel Rested Underwater When we make a batch of gin it normally “rests” in barrels (in our distillery) for two weeks before we bottle it. This is standard practice for gin making and allows all the flavours to fully integrate into the mix before they are bottled up. Our showcase barrel of Blue Ocean Edition Gin rested under the sea for two weeks. Why? Why not? Part of creating awareness is creating a point of interest. When we swam the showcase barrel into the sea we also swam alongside local corals to inspect and highlight just how damaged they really are. The barrel was then secured under the famous Lightship (in the marina behind the distillery). Here it rested for two weeks, waiting patiently to be brought up on World Oceans Day. What happened to the showcase batch & was it any different? The barrel was secure, but it did have a gentle sway with the waves. Compared to the normal resting period in the distillery (stationary), the showcase barrel gin was wave rested. Did this effect the flavour? A little. It had a chance to mix around in the barrel for two weeks. The blue gin in the barrel was brought out of the sea for the Launch and sampled. The rest has been bottled into a secret batch, that may or may not come out at a later date for special tastings. The Live Stream The launch took place in the midst of the Covid-19, so a party was not an option. Therefore, we organised an online, live stream to document the event. Here we ran the video live from the Lightship deck and: Jumped into the water to retrieve the showcase barrel Brought the barrel up to our display bar Streamed a live feed through social media to explain the reasoning and positive impacts of the Blue Ocean Edition Drank the showcase barrel batch and experimented with the colour changing The future of Blue Ocean Edition We’d like to keep Blue Ocean Gin going into the future (not a limited edition). This will help us to spread more awareness around the world (about the Caribbean’s coral status) and be able to make a positive impact. The more Blue Ocean Gin we sell, the greater the impact we can have. So, cheers and let’s drink to a blue cause with a blue gin. Aaron SalyerGin enthusiast and Caribbean Dreamer.