Scilly Spirit Island Gin: A 1665 Shipwreck and Javan Pepper From Britain's Most Remote Distillery

Item: Scilly Spirit Island Gin: A 1665 Shipwreck and Javan Pepper From Britain's Most Remote Distillery
Rating: 8
Author: Ash Carrington

Ash Carrington March 21, 2026 1 views

8 /10

EDITOR

Distillery: Scilly Spirit
Type: Contemporary
ABV: 42% ABV
Price: £39.50
Botanicals: juniper, cassia, orris root, javan pepper, kaffir lime leaf, orange peel, fennel

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Tasting Notes

Nose

Pleasing juniper forward — savoury dill and fresh fennel with cedar wood, the Isles of Scilly saltiness subtly present

Palate

Smooth and rounded — entertaining bright fresh mint and fennel, then spicy warmth of cardamom and pepper, soft citrus sweetness closing, the 1665 shipwreck Javan pepper adding historical spice

Finish

Long dry and warming — the 48-hour steeping creating depth that quick infusions cannot match, the Masters Award thoroughly earned

First Impressions

Scilly Spirit Island Gin is inspired by a 1665 shipwreck on the Isles of Scilly that carried Javan pepper — one of six botanicals representing the oarsmen. Produced on St Mary's, Britain's most remote distillery. 48-hour steeping for maximum extraction. Masters Award from 320 entrants at Global Gin Masters.

Tasting

The nose is juniper forward with savoury fennel and cedar. On the palate, smooth and rounded with mint-fennel brightness, cardamom-pepper warmth, and soft citrus. The finish is long, dry and warming.

The Bottom Line

Scilly Spirit earns an 8 for turning a 1665 shipwreck into Britain's most remote gin. The Javan pepper adds historical romance, and the Masters Award from 320 entrants confirms world-class quality from the Isles of Scilly. A gin where every botanical tells a maritime story.