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Three ways to embrace a relaxed, Caribbean-style escape this year

Some occasions deserve to be savoured, celebrated and elevated. Here’s how you can take inspiration from the Caribbean and embrace the moment this year.

The end of the year always seems to come out of nowhere. And this year seems to have sped by faster than most. But with summer right around the corner, the final stretch of 2024 is upon us. It’s time to take stock and unwind after a big year – to reflect and savour the moment. And there’s few better ways to embrace and elevate the moment than with a dram of Gran Reserva by Glenfiddich. And because the whisky is finished in Caribbean rum barrels, it’s the perfect way to add a hint of quiet Caribbean luxury to your summer this year. We’ve been inspired by the drink, so here are a few other ways you can bring the spirit of these famous islands to Australia this year.

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Indulge in a private villa on Hayman Island

Australia has over 8,000 islands, so if you’re planning a coastal escape this summer, you’re spoiled for choice. Plus – Australia has pioneered a travel style, barefoot luxury, where stunning accommodation coexists harmoniously with natural beauty and local food. If you want to enjoy that style of holiday, your destination is an easy decision: Hayman Island. It’s the northernmost island in the famous Whitsunday islands in the Great Barrier Reef. And thanks to its high hills, azure waters, lush rainforest and beautiful sparkling sandy beaches, it evokes the Caribbean seas in a way that few other islands in Australia do. The most stylish way to enjoy Hayman Island is with a private beachfront villa at the Intercontinental Hayman Island. After a swim on Hayman Beach or in your private pool, make the most of the occasion by toasting a glass of Gran Reserva while you soak in a peerless sunset.

Toast a glass of Gran Reserva while you soak in a peerless sunset. Credit: Supplied.

Treat your senses to an at-home Caribbean feast

Your first sip of Gran Reserva begins with soft, floral and mellow notes, before progressing to peppery with a hint of lime and ginger. Its entire flavour profile, which includes ginger, fig, lime, and toffee, is extremely complementary to a host of Caribbean dishes. So next time you’re preparing a special gourmet dinner at home, or even having a beach picnic, this is the celebratory drink you’ll want by your side. Try pairing Gran Reserva with a Caribbean-inspired cheese board: your favourite cheese alongside a selection of tropical fruits to contrast against the whisky’s depth and enhance the sweet and tangy elements. It’s also the perfect partner to a sweet dessert such as Crème Brûlée. And of course, summer in Australia means eating great seafood, and although some classic Caribbean staples like conch are hard to get your hands on, others, like lobster and mahi mahi – or dolphinfish, as we call it around here, are plentiful in Australia, and are a great companion, served in a seafood platter, with Gran Reserva. The saltiness of the seafood pairs with the whisky’s sweetness, offering a fresh, umami-rich experience.  Team those up with some zingy, fruity side salads packed with lime and scotch bonnets and Jamaica’s iconic jerk chicken with some rice and peas, and you’ll have a true feast on your hands. The beauty is this-you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy such a feast. More often than not, joy is found in the everyday moments.

Gran Reserva is the perfect celebratory drink for any special occasion. Credit: Supplied.
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Discover the joys of limin’

The term limin’ is used across the Caribbean. Its origins are hard to pin down, but its spirit is well defined. Limin’ is hanging out. At any time of day. It’s congregating with friends, loved ones and even strangers. Sharing a moment together and being in the moment together. With how busy life gets – just look at how this year has flown by – it’s easy to delay joy to focus on productivity or getting more things done. But sharing memorable and intimate experiences together doesn’t have to mean going all out. Limin’ is about recognising that the every chance we get to spend with one another is a grand occasion. And grand occasions deserve grand celebrations. They deserve Gran Reserva.

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