Scottish Rum with a Pirate’s Spirit
Named after Orkney’s very own 18th-century pirate, John Gow, J. Gow Rum distillery sits just metres from the sea on Lamb Holm—a 0.15-square-mile uninhabited island. This makes it arguably the smallest rum-producing island in the world and a truly unique part of Scotland’s growing Scottish rum scene.
John Gow’s short but violent career began in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and ended in Orkney. He was imprisoned, tried, and hanged—not once, but twice (the rope snapped the first time)—at London’s Execution Dock on 11th June 1725. As one of the last pirates to be hanged in London, his story has become intertwined with the rugged history of Orkney.
J. Gow Rum draws inspiration from the untamed seas and dramatic coastlines of Orkney, creating a Scottish rum that reflects the wild spirit of the islands. Crafted on this remote shore, each bottle carries the essence of Orkney’s rich heritage and the legacy of Scotland’s pirate past.
In 2013, Collin returned to the family business, working for several years with the Orkney Wine Company—producers of fruit wines since 2001. While his father was preparing him to take over the business, Collin took a different path. Instead of following tradition, he claimed half of the building, installed a 2000-litre pot still, and began crafting rum in 2017.
J Gow: The Original Orkney rum
At J. Gow Rum, every step of the process—fermentation, distillation, ageing, and bottling—is carried out entirely on-site at the Lamb Holm distillery. Using imported molasses, water, and yeast, the fermentation process lasts 5 to 14 days, depending on the recipe. The result is then double-distilled for a traditional pot still spirit or distilled in a single pass using the column still, which takes the spirit from 8% to 85% in one run.
The rum is then either bottled unaged, spiced, or filled into casks to mature for several years. Each step is done by hand, from distillation to labelling, ensuring every bottle reflects the quality and passion behind the craft.
The distillery employs a variety of fermentation techniques. Some recipes use backset—waste left in the still from a previous run—instead of water, while others incorporate dunder, a bacterially fermented still waste that enhances the complexity and richness of the rum with its ester development.
Be Part of J. Gow Rum’s Story with Your Own Cask
Our distillery offers a rare chance to own a cask of handcrafted Scottish rum, aged to perfection in our coastal warehouse.
Whether it’s a personal treasure, a legacy to share, or a unique addition to your collection, cask ownership with J. Gow Rum is a truly special experience. From the day it’s filled to the moment it’s ready to bottle, you’ll be part of something exceptional.
Availability is limited—get in touch to learn more about our cask ownership programme.
A Growing Legacy
With the recent completion of a dedicated cask warehouse, J. Gow Rum now has space to store hundreds of casks, allowing for the relocation of all ageing stock from the production hall. This exciting expansion has freed up space to resume distillery tours, which are set to return in the summer.
As J. Gow’s Scottish rum matures, the future holds exciting releases, including a single cask 8-year-old rum next year and a core range 8-year-old set for release in spring 2026.
Not only does Collin craft every drop of J. Gow Rum and run the business, but he also designs all the labels, branding, and graphics himself—a true one-man band bringing Orkney’s spirit to life.
