New London Light First Light
New London Light First Light is a sophisticated, alcohol-free spirit that balances vibrant orange citrus and piney juniper with savory herbal notes and a lingering, warming heat from ginger
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Featured Flavours
Alcohol %
0%
Serving Size
- 25ml
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In Cocktails
New London Light First Light
Crafted by the Salcombe Distilling Co., New London Light “First Light” is a sophisticated, non-alcoholic spirit designed to capture the complexity of a classic London Dry gin without the alcohol. It is a bold, “grown-up” drink that leans heavily into citrus, spice, and herbaceous notes.
The First Impression (The Nose)
The experience begins with a bright, aromatic bouquet that immediately signals its gin-making heritage. You are first met with a vibrant burst of orange citrus and fresh lime zest, which gives the spirit an uplifting, summery feel. Beneath the citrus, there is a grounding layer of piney Macedonian juniper and a soft floral hint—reminiscent of violet or lavender—intertwined with the earthy, savory scents of rosemary and sage.
The Body (The Palate)
On the palate, First Light reveals a surprising amount of body and heat for a 0% ABV spirit. The initial taste is dominated by a crisp, dry juniper, but this quickly evolves into a warming sensation. This “bite” comes from a careful distillation of zesty ginger and habanero capsicum, providing a sophisticated prickle that mimics the throat-burn of traditional spirits. These spicy elements are balanced by the fragrant bitterness of cascarilla bark and a distinct herbaceous middle-ground where sage and cardamom take center stage.
The Lingering Note (The Finish)
The finish is notably long, smooth, and slightly drying. As the initial heat of the ginger and habanero fades, it leaves behind a refreshing trail of lemongrass and floral coriander. There is a subtle sweetness from star anise that clings to the tongue, finished with a cool, almost menthol-like herbaceousness. When paired with a premium light tonic, these botanical layers “open up,” transforming the spirit into a thirst-quenching, complex serve that holds its own against its alcoholic counterparts.
The history of New London Light “First Light” is a blend of 19th-century maritime adventure and modern liquid engineering. It wasn’t just named at random; every part of the brand reflects the heritage of its creators, Salcombe Distilling Co.
The Maritime Beacon
The name “New London Light” refers to the New London Harbor Light in Long Island Sound, Connecticut. In the 19th century, this lighthouse was a crucial beacon for the Salcombe Fruiters—legendarily fast schooners built in South Devon. These ships were designed to race across the Atlantic to bring back perishable cargoes of exotic fruits, herbs, and spices from the Americas.
The “First Light” title specifically marks the start of the distillery’s journey into the non-alcoholic world, acting as a “new light” or a new way of drinking.
The Salcombe Connection
The founders, Angus Lugsdin and Howard Davies, met as sailing instructors in Salcombe. Their distillery is located in an old traditional boat-building quarter on the water’s edge.
The Inspiration: They wanted to honor the history of the “Fruiters” by using the same botanicals those ships once carried—like ginger, habanero, and exotic citrus.
The Gin Pedigree: Before creating First Light, they were already world-renowned for their Salcombe Gin. They applied the same strict “London Dry” standards to this 0% spirit, aiming to prove that alcohol-free drinks could have the same complexity and “bite” as a premium gin.
A Modern “First”
Launched in September 2020, First Light was developed by Master Distiller Jason Nickels. He pioneered a specific process to solve the “watery” problem common in non-alcoholic spirits:
The Base: They first distil a “botanical steep” of juniper, ginger, and habanero.
The Extraction: Using a rotary vacuum still, they remove the alcohol at low temperatures to keep the delicate flavours intact.
The Blend: This base is then blended with 15 other botanical extracts to create the layered profile you taste today.
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New London Light (NLL) is a bold collection of contemporary non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs crafted by the multi-award-winning Salcombe Distilling Co. in South Devon. Founded by Howard Davies and Angus Lugsdin—who first met as sailing instructors—the brand was born from a desire to bring the same level of complexity, heritage, and “spirit” found in premium gin to the alcohol-free market. Rather than simply creating “watery” botanical infusions, the NLL team treats non-alcoholic production with the rigor of a traditional distillery, prioritizing a “grown-up” flavor profile that emphasizes dryness and a sophisticated, warming “bite.“
The brand is deeply rooted in maritime history and environmental stewardship. Its name is a tribute to the New London Harbor Light in Connecticut, a beacon that once guided 19th-century “Salcombe Fruiters”—fast-sailing schooners—as they raced across the Atlantic with cargoes of exotic fruits and spices. This spirit of adventure is woven into their “1% for the Ocean” initiative, where a portion of every bottle sale supports the Marine Conservation Society to help regenerate vital seagrass habitats. By combining this rich history with modern “liquid engineering,” New London Light has positioned itself as a benchmark for clarity and quality in the mindful drinking movement.
