If you follow our social media, you’ll have seen us mention navy strength gins before during our Great Gin Sale (and if you’re not following us, do so at Facebook and Instagram now!)
But what exactly is a navy-strength gin?, and why is it called that?
Well, if you like your spirits strong and high on alcohol, then navy strength gins deserve a place in your bar alongside your cask-strength single malt Scotch, your barrel-proof bourbons, and your overproof rums. Yup, ‘Navy Strength’ basically means a high-ABV gin.
The name itself was apparently inspired by an 18th century practise by the British Royal Navy, which used to have gin aboard their ships whenever they set sail (it was used not for parties, but actually to fight illness and diseases during long sea journeys).
However, the gin had to be of a certain quality, so a test was devised to make sure it was not watered down. Basically, they would soak the ship’s gunpowder in the gin and if it could still ignite, then the gin was ‘navy-strength’.
However, the actual use of ‘navy strength’ to describe high-strength is apparently a modern marketing creation coined in the 1990s. Still, it’s a pretty cool story!
Today, to qualify as a ‘navy-strength’, a gin has to be over 57% ABV. Yes, 57% ABV. Not all high ABV gins are classified as ‘Navy Strength’ though. There are other gins that are high-strength (by that we mean at 50% ABV or more) that don’t call themselves ‘navy-strength’ as well.
Anyway, there is more to navy-strength gins than just a higher alcohol content – many gin producers put a lot of effort into making sure the botanicals balance out that higher strength. Hence, navy-strength gins are great for making cocktails with more complex flavours like the Negroni, but it also makes for one heck of a Gin And Tonic!
If you want to try out some navy-strength gins, head over to our online store (shop.whollyspiritsasia.com) There are some great navy-strength gins amongst the gins we have currently. Here are some you should definitely check out:
Elephant Gin Elephant Strength Gin (57% ABV)
Many Navy Strength gins tend to be just higher proof versions of the distillery’s core gin expression, but sometimes the flavours don’t marry well, or the texture and mouthfeel of the gin affects the overall taste, so distilleries usually change the botanical ratio to counter this.
This ‘Elephant Strength’ gin doubles up on the botanicals, but pays closer attention to African buchu, sweet orange peel and herbaceous mountain pine.
The result is a gentle giant – an elephantian powerhouse of a gin. Intense and full-bodied, the texture is much more viscous. which means it comes through even more than the original. Great in cocktails. (Buy it now!)
Rock Rose Navy Strength (57% ABV)
Made by Dunnet Bay Distillers all the way up in North Scotland, this wonderfully floral gin gets its name from the Rhodiola Rosea, or rock rose, which the Vikings used to harvest because it was thought to give them the extra strength to continue on their long arduous journeys.
Other locally foraged botanicals in the gin include rowan berries, sea buckthorn, and verbena. This Navy Strength gin uses the same botanicals as the original, but the resulting flavour is different as the berries come through a lot more on the palate. The earthier notes of angelica and orris come through at the end. (Buy it now!)
Scapegrace Gold Gin (57% ABV)
Distilled in New Zealand at the foot of the Southern Alps with 12 botanicals, including nutmeg, cardamom, lemon peel, orange peel and liquorice, this is a classic yet unique dry gin that is full of citrusy notes and even a hint of spice. The name Scapegrace means a mischievous person, or rascal.
The water it uses is from one of the last natural aquifers in the world, taking 80 years to trickle and filter down to the distillery. This gives the gin a a very clean taste.
A navy strength version of the Classic Gin, the Gold Gin not only packs the punch of a higher ABV, but also a 13th botanical – tangerine peels. This makes for a more rounded gin, with the other botanicals shining through more than the juniper. This is still a serious gin though, and perfect for those who prefer higher ABV spirits. (Buy it now!)
Fords Gin Officers’ Reserve (54.5% ABV)
Created by famous bartender Simon Ford, this is a gin made by bartenders for bartenders. After the success of the greatly versatile Fords Gin, fans were hankering for a navy strength version (usually above 57% ABV).
Fords Officer’s Reserve is a touch lower at 54.5% ABV, but what makes this is gin unique and delicious is the not only the higher ABV, but the three weeks of ageing in Amontillado sherry casks. This gives the gin a woody note that is then balanced out with a portion of unaged gin.
The results? A gin with everything from the original Fords, but with a more intense structure and a bigger alcohol bite. Use this in drinks when you want a big punch of flavour. (Buy it now!)
To check out other navy-strength gins, visit our store at shop.whollyspiritsasia.com!