Willemstad, 23 February 2026 — Award‑winning Gin 1689 has officially entered the Caribbean market with its launch in Curaçao, following a new partnership with FS Caribbean as the exclusive distributor for the region.
As one of Curaçao’s leading distributors, FS Caribbean will leverage its extensive HoReCa network to introduce and grow Gin 1689 across the island.
Johan Koppenol, Owner of FS Caribbean, explains: “Gin is, together with rum, one of the most popular drinks on the island. Fruity pink gins with distilled strawberries and raspberries are especially in high demand. We only work with the most premium brands, and we are proud to add Gin 1689 to our portfolio.”
Alexander Janssens, Founder of Gin 1689, shares his excitement: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us, and we are thrilled to launch in our first Caribbean market. We will start in Curaçao, and from there we can easily expand to nearby markets such as Aruba.”
With over one million tourists visiting annually, Curaçao is one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. According to Liquor.com, the island even boasts a Gin & Tonic culture that rivals Spain’s — Europe’s largest gin market. This influence stems from Curaçao’s historical ties to both Spain and the Netherlands, the latter being the birthplace of jenever, gin’s older sister. These cultural influences are reflected in the island’s cuisine, language, and bar culture, where bartenders craft thoughtful gin‑and‑tonic serves in large wine goblets with garnishes tailored to each flavour profile.
Gin 1689 is now available across four continents and distributed in more than 30 countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and several duty‑free locations throughout Europe.
About Gin 1689
Crafted in Amsterdam, Gin 1689 is inspired by a centuries‑old recipe from the era of William of Orange, who famously brought gin to the UK and sparked the original gin craze. The brand has earned multiple international accolades, including Gold at the Gin Masters in London. In 2024, Gin 1689 made its Travel Retail debut at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest travel hubs.
About FS Caribbean
FS Caribbean is a premier supplier of fresh food and beverages in the Caribbean. Active in both duty‑free and domestic markets, the company represents a portfolio of globally respected brands across food, wine, beer, and spirits.
