Best Navy Strength Gins for Cocktails and Sipping
Navy strength gins pack more punch than your average bottle, with proofs typically above 57% ABV. Their bold character stands up to ice, mixers and complex cocktails—and delivers a flavour punch when sipped neat. In this guide, we walked through blind tastings, distillery visits and expert interviews to find the top UK offerings. For our full range of gin insights, head to our homepage.
How We Picked These Gins
- Blind Tastings: A panel of bartenders and spirits writers scored each gin on aroma, balance and finish.
- Distillery Tours: We inspected botanical sourcing, water quality and production methods.
- Meet the Makers: Interviews with master distillers revealed what goes into each high-strength recipe.
- Lab Testing: Independent verification ensured each bottle’s stated ABV was accurate and flavour true.
Top Navy Strength Gins
| Brand | ABV | Tasting Notes | Serve Suggestions | RRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Navy Strength | 57% | Robust juniper, peppery spice, smooth finish | Neat with a drop of water | £40 |
| Black Rock Navy Strength | 57% | Cinnamon bark, sea buckthorn, citrus zest | Over ice with ginger ale | £42 |
| Sipsmith V.J.O.P. | 57.7% | Intense pine, zesty grapefruit, long finish | Stirred Negroni (25 ml gin) | £45 |
| Tarquin’s Naval Strength | 57.5% | Coastal herbs, sweet vanilla, warm spice | London Dry G&T (1:3 ratio) | £44 |
| Ilkley Distillery NS | 58% | Local buckthorn, floral honey, crisp minerality | Neat tasting flight | £48 |
How to Enjoy Navy Strength Gin
- Neat & Neat: Pour 30 ml neat into a tulip glass. Add one drop of chilled water to open the botanicals.
- Classic G&T: Use a 1:3 ratio of gin to premium tonic. Serve in a copa glass over large ice cubes.
- Stirred Cocktails: Swap your usual gin for navy strength in stirred serves (e.g. Negroni, Martinez) to maintain clarity and warmth.
- Highball Twist: Mix 50 ml gin with ginger beer and a lime wedge for a spicy highball that won’t dilute too quickly.
Distillery Highlights
- Plymouth: Historic coastal distillery with continuous production since 1793. Their copper stills impart a soft mouthfeel despite high proof.
- Black Rock: Yorkshire’s naval-strength specialist, sourcing sea buckthorn and local botanicals for a uniquely regional profile.
- Sipsmith: Pioneers of the modern craft-gin movement. “V.J.O.P.” stands for Very Junipery Over Proof—expect all-juniper intensity.
- Tarquin’s: Cornish distillery using local spring water and hand-harvested coastal botanicals, then proofing at cask strength.
- Ilkley Distillery: Boutique producer using Yorkshire spring water and buckthorn berries—small batches, big flavour.
Where to Taste and Buy
- Online Stockists: All bottles are available from leading UK spirits merchants.
- In-Person Tastings: Join our expert-led sessions—book online for a deep dive into naval-strength gins.
- Bespoke Events: For private tastings or corporate bookings, please contact us.
These navy strength gins bring robust flavour and heat that cut through ice and mixers—perfect for adventurous sippers and cocktail connoisseurs alike. Explore, experiment and enjoy the bold side of gin!