At 57.5% ABV, AQVALVCE Navy Strength Gin concentrates the alpine and balsamic side of Distilleria dell’Alpe’s work. The gin is made in the same pair of 100-litre copper stills used for the AQVALVCE range, historic equipment dating from the Second World War. Its higher strength carries a complete twelve-botanical recipe with unusual force, but the character comes from the interaction of mountain herbs, roots, seeds and bitter plants rather than alcohol alone.

Juniper is joined by broom flower, wild thyme, orris root, hawthorn, caraway, rosehip, angelica, gentian, cumin, bay leaf and hops. Wild thyme, bay and hops create a broad herbal and balsamic register. Cumin and caraway supply warm seed spice, while angelica, orris and gentian deepen the palate with earthy, root-like bitterness. Hawthorn and rosehip bring a restrained fruit and floral nuance, and broom flower lightens the denser centre.

The nose is powerful, led by pine, wild thyme and bay, then warmed by cumin and caraway. The first sip is concentrated and dry. Juniper gives the opening its firm line, herbs expand across the middle, and the roots add weight beneath them. Gentian and hops make the finish long and finely bitter, while rosehip and hawthorn prevent that bitterness from becoming austere. Dilution opens the floral and balsamic details without removing the gin’s navy-strength authority.

This gin has enough depth to be tasted in a small measure with a little water, and enough power for a Negroni. For a gin and tonic, pour 4 cl over abundant clear ice and add 12 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water. Finish with a thin lemon peel and a short sprig of wild thyme. The neutral tonic gives the botanicals room, lemon lifts the opening, and thyme extends the dry mountain-herb character into the final sip.