Ready to turn up the heat? Award-winning farm-based craft gin brand Penrhos Spirits has revealed its boldest creation yet, made in partnership with mission-driven food company Oddbox. The new limited-edition Pear and Chilli Gin, crafted using rescued fruit and vegetables, launches on Saturday 1 November – perfectly timed to add a fiery twist to Bonfire Night celebrations. Just 500 bottles have been produced, each one fighting food waste by repurposing Oddbox’s quirky pears and locally grown, misshapen jalapeño chillies that might otherwise have gone unused.
This marks the UK’s first-ever ‘Pear and Chilli’ flavoured gin, introducing an inventive “sweet heat” profile to the category. The trend of combining sweetness with spice – often referred to as “swicy” – has surged across the global food and drink industry throughout 2025, making this release both timely and on-trend.
The launch is the second collaboration between Penrhos Spirits and Oddbox, following the sell-out success of their 2023 Cucumber and Apple Gin. Each hand-numbered bottle features rescued pears and British-grown jalapeño chillies deemed “too odd” for supermarket shelves, yet perfect for creating a spirit bursting with character and purpose.
An unusually hot British summer has played its part too, producing an especially fiery jalapeño harvest in West Sussex. Keen to celebrate and support the growers behind this standout crop, Penrhos undertook an intensive recipe development process, experimenting with over 20 formulations before landing on the ideal balance of flavour and spice.
The final version was chosen after thorough testing by Penrhos’ expert Chief Gin Taster panel, who conducted multiple tasting sessions to compare different chilli varieties and levels of heat. Their meticulous approach has resulted in a spirit that delivers genuine intensity alongside botanical depth, making it a distinctive gift choice for adventurous gin enthusiasts this festive season.
Harriet Evans, co-founder at Penrhos Spirits, said: “We are incredibly proud of our new Pear & Chilli gin which has been our most challenging Gin to create to date. Oddbox has again worked with us on this exciting flavour combination and this year’s wonky and incredibly spicy jalapenos means we have had to completely rethink our approach to achieve the right balance of flavours. This is a gin for those who can handle the heat. Our Gin Tasting panel had an absolute blast fine-tuning the unique flavour – there were some seriously ‘heated’ debates about spice levels. The winning blend delivers a serious kick of warmth to complement the sweet pear notes which will delight spice and gin lovers alike!”
Emilie Vanpoperinghe, CEO and co-founder of Oddbox, commented: “Our new collaboration with Penrhos Gin proves that the best flavours often come from the most unexpected places. We know that our customers love the variety and discovery they get from rescuing fruit and veg, so this collaboration with Penrhos gives them a unique way to enjoy these perfectly tasty chillies and pears in a sophisticated gin blend. It all helps to support growers and show what’s possible when we rethink food waste.”
To mark the launch, Penrhos and Oddbox have created a fun ‘Pick Your Pearsonality’ quiz, designed to help gin lovers discover whether they prefer sweet, savoury, or bold flavours, complete with personalised cocktail recipes inspired by each taste profile.
Evans added: “The unique flavour of the liquid opens up so many new cocktail possibilities, from refreshing spritzers that highlight the pear sweetness to bold serves where the chilli really shines through. For the launch we wanted to create something fun that reflects the playful nature of this collaboration and the quiz helps people understand their flavour personality while discovering new ways to enjoy our Pear and Chilli Gin. Whether you’re team sweet, team savoury, or team bold, there’s a perfect serve waiting for you.”
The limited-edition Oddbox x Penrhos Pear and Chilli Gin (£34.95/70cl, 42% ABV) is available exclusively from 1 November 2025 at penrhosspirits.co.uk and for Oddbox customers via market.oddbox.co.uk. Each bottle is presented in Penrhos’ award-winning 100% recycled aluminium packaging – fully recyclable, reusable, and refillable – continuing the brand’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.