Navy Strength & High ABV Gins
'Must Try' Navy Strength Gins & Reviews
Discover the finest Navy Strength and High ABV Gins in our ultimate guide to Navy Strength Gins - covering British Navy Strength Gins across England, Scotland and Wales, plus the finest European Navy Strength Gins that are available internationally and in the UK. Whether you are a seasoned drinker of Navy Strength Gins or exploring them for the first time, there's something new and interesting to enjoy.
What is Navy Strength Gin?
While gin is most commonly bottled at 37.5% - 45% ABV, Navy Strength gins are bottled at 57% ABV or above, and in recent years more gins are being produced at other high ABVs outside of the traditional 57-59% ABV range. There are two stories behind the 'Navy Strength Gin' name. One of these stories is that sailors would check that the gin coming on board a ship (often as their payment for work) was of sufficient quality and ABV by pouring the gin onto some gunpowder, and if the gin was 57% ABV or above, the gunpowder would still light. The other story is that gin would often be stored next to gunpowder on ships, meaning there was a risk that it could spill, so it needed to be at a high enough ABV so that gunpowder would still light even if the gin had spilt onto it.
TOP TIP: When at a higher ABV, spirits are able to hold larger amounts of botanical oils and heavier botanicals oils. As a result, many Navy Strength Gins will be seen to louche (cloud) as the abundant oils are released when mixed with Tonic Water.
TOP TIP: When at a higher ABV, spirits are able to hold larger amounts of botanical oils and heavier botanicals oils. As a result, many Navy Strength Gins will be seen to louche (cloud) as the abundant oils are released when mixed with Tonic Water.
British Navy Strength & High ABV Gins
Discover the finest Navy Strength Gins available in the UK, from Campfire Navy Strength Gin from Hertfordshire and Henstone Navy Strengh Gin from Shropshire, to Biggar Navy Strength Gin from Scotland and Gower Gin's Dragon Strength edition from Wales. While not all of the gins listed below were part of The Gin Guide Awards 2024, each of the acclaimed Winners in the High ABV Gin category this year are highlighted as a TGGA 2024 Winner to help you pick them out.
- Click on each distillery name for more information about the distilleries, interviews with the distillers, and more.
- Click on the 'Buy' button to visit the website of the distillery or their preferred retailer.
English Navy Strength Gins - A to Z
Scottish Navy Strength Gins - A to Z
Welsh Navy Strength Gins - A to Z
International Navy Strength & High ABV Gins
While Navy Strength Gins have historically been a popular British style of gin, Europe and Australia in particular have embraced high ABV gins in recent years and some of the finest Navy Strength Gins are now being produced around the globe, from Gindome's 'Mermaid' Navy Strength Gin from Estonia and Edelwhite 57 Gin from Switzerland, to Ginepraio Amphora Gin from Italy and Puss & Mew Navy Strength Gin from Australia. The majority of the gins listed below (in alphabetical order by country) are available in the UK and Europe, and while not all of them were part of The Gin Guide Awards 2024, those which were Winners in the High ABV category are highlighted as a TGGA 2024 Winner logo to help you pick them out.
- Click on each distillery name for more information about the distilleries, interviews with the distillers, and more.
- Click on the 'Buy' button to visit the website of the distillery or their preferred retailer.
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For more guides to popular gin styles, visit our Aged Gin Guide and Old Tom Gin Guide.