First Impressions
While the standard Pickering's Gin is based on the 1947 Bombay recipe, the Original 1947 expression is the recipe in its complete, unmodified form — fuller, spicier, and more intensely flavoured. Where the standard expression was adapted slightly for the modern palate, the 1947 turns the dial back to the original proportions, and the result is a gin that tastes like a trip to the last days of the British Raj.
The same nine botanicals — juniper, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, anise, cloves, lemon peel, and lime peel — are present, but the spice elements are given considerably more prominence. At 42% ABV and £35, it sits as the premium expression in the Pickering's range.
The Distillery
Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh produces the 1947 in the same copper stills as the standard expression, but with botanical proportions faithful to the original handwritten recipe. The difference is primarily one of emphasis: more cinnamon, more clove, more fennel and anise. The Bombay origins of the recipe become much more apparent in this version — the warming spices that would have been prized in the tropics take centre stage.
Tasting
The nose is immediately spicier than the standard Pickering's. Strong fennel leads — an aromatic, liquorice-like quality that is bold and inviting. Clear clove adds a festive, mulled wine warmth, while cardamom and cinnamon sit in the background providing layers of aromatic spice. It is a nose that evokes winter evenings and Christmas markets — warm, comforting, and unmistakably spice-driven.
On the palate, the gin is luscious and thick — the mouthfeel substantially fuller than the standard expression. Chewy anise and fennel dominate, with fennel arriving early and anise emerging later, creating a liquorice-like progression that is deeply satisfying. There is a clear note of juniper that prevents the spice from overwhelming the gin's identity, alongside lemon zest and coriander providing brightness and warmth respectively. The most distinctive quality is an almost mince pie-like character — cinnamon, clove, and fruit combining in a way that is irresistibly festive. It is a gin that tastes like a celebration.
The finish is long and spiced. Cardamom, coriander, clove, and cinnamon lead to a crisp, refreshing conclusion that is longer than you might expect from the rich, sweet palate. It remains festively sweet, with a crackle of peppery juniper right on the tail that brings you back to gin territory. The contrast between the sweet spice and the dry juniper close is one of the gin's most compelling qualities.
How to Drink It
The 1947 makes a magnificent winter G&T — use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a star anise. The spice notes in the gin and the garnish create a drink that is practically a cocktail in its own right. It also makes an extraordinary Hot Gin Toddy — warm it gently with honey, lemon, and a clove-studded orange slice.
In cocktails, the mince pie character makes it a natural for Christmas-themed serves, but it also makes a fascinating Negroni where the spice adds warmth and complexity to the classic bitter formula.
The Bottom Line
Pickering's Original 1947 earns an 8 for delivering the complete Bombay recipe with unapologetic intensity. The spice-forward character is a deliberate and successful stylistic choice — fennel, anise, cinnamon, and clove create a gin of genuine warmth and complexity that transports you to another era. The mince pie quality on the palate is unique and utterly delightful. At £35, it is a worthwhile step up from the standard Pickering's for anyone who loves spice-driven gins. A decadent trip back to the last days of the Raj, bottled in Edinburgh.
