J. Gow - Where Pirates Meet Pot Stills

Named after the notorious 18th-century pirate John Gow—tried, hanged (twice) and fabled for his brutal exploits—J. Gow Rum distils both legend and landscape. Nestled on Lamb Holm, a tiny uninhabited 0.15 sq mile island connected to mainland Orkney by the wartime-built Churchill Barriers, it's likely the world’s smallest rum-producing isle

Collin Van Schayk—head distiller and co-owner—returned to Orkney in 2013 to join the family’s Orkney Wine Company. Four years later, with boundless ambition, he claimed half the building, installed a 2,000‑litre pot-and-column still, and launched Scotland’s first island rum distillery in 2017

Every stage unfolds in Orkney—from importing molasses to fermentation, double or single-pass distillation, maturation, and hand-bottling. The focus lies firmly on heavier, full-bodied spirits derived via innovative methods, like backset (dunder), and using a wide array of casks—chestnut, virgin oak, ex-bourbon, port, wine, whisky, and sherry—for rich complexity. They also capture Orkney’s wild yeasts for their annual Wild Yeast Series, yielding truly one-off expressions that change year‑to‑year.

J. Gows Distinctive Core Range

Spiced Rum – A dry spiced rum released in October 2017. Made with 7 whole spices, two of which are a secret, grown in Orkney. Tasting notes include ginger cake and orange peel.
Fading Light – Released in November 2018, this is a pure single rum, aged for a minimum of 2 years in chestnut casks. There is no sugar or colouring added, the chestnut is used for faster maturation in Orkney’s cold climate.
Hidden Depths Vol. 1 – First single cask/cask strength released in October 2020. Aged for 3 years and bottled at 53.2% ABV, it sold out in under two weeks.
Revenge – A 3-year old aged in ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks, released in April 2021. Tasting notes include a light funk, acidic fruit, with toffee, and overripe peaches on the palate.
Culverin – Unaged white rum, bottled at 50% ABV. Named after a 2-tonne naval cannon, it is clean and punchy.
Fading Light XO – A 6-year old cask strength rum, aged in chestnut casks. Bottled at 53.5% in 2024, it scored 91/100 from Rum Barrel reviewers.

Also, coming very soon - J. Gow’s 8-year Flagship Release, set to release the first week of October 2025.

Perched mere metres from the sea and the iconic Italian Chapel, the distillery welcomes visitors for tours, tastings, and a chance to soak in the windswept atmosphere. A new warehouse has been built, relocating casks off-site to enhance visitor space and support maturation. Collin also offers a cask-ownership programme, inviting enthusiasts to select, fill, and age their own casks beside the sea.

With prestigious awards and aging reserves nearing flagship maturity, J. Gow offers guests at the Scottish Rum Festival both depth and adventure.

Website | https://jgowrum.com/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/JGowRum

Instagram | @j.gowrum

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