Henstone Navy Gin

Henstone Navy Gin reaches 57.3% ABV and adds hops and the distillery's own barley spirit to a blend of traditional gin botanicals. Those two production details give the bottle more than simple alcoholic strength: they connect its robust profile to Henstone's wider work with grain and brewing ingredients.

Dry · Spicy · Herbal · Navy Strength

The nose is concentrated but not blunt. Juniper and dry herbs appear first, followed by a green, faintly bitter hop note. Barley spirit contributes weight and a subtle cereal softness beneath the botanicals, giving the aroma a broader base than a conventional high-proof London DryLondon DryA style, not a place of origin: every flavour comes from distilling natural botanicals. After distillation only water and a trace of sugar may be added, with no flavouring or colouring.GlossarySee London Dry gins.

On the palate, the strength brings warmth, texture and a long botanical release. DilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary opens citrus and spice while preserving the pine-like centre. Hops lend a dry, savoury edge to the finish, and the barley element rounds the middle without making the gin sweet.

The bottle has won its high-ABV category in several editions of The Gin Guide Awards, including 2023, 2024 and 2025. These results reflect a recipe that uses its proof constructively: the alcohol carries flavour through tonic and ice instead of serving as a challenge in itself.

Henstone suggests a pink ginPink ginToday, a gin flavoured and tinted pink (red fruit, rhubarb…). Originally, plain gin with a few dashes of Angostura bitters.Glossary with AngosturaBittersHighly concentrated bitters (Angostura, orange…), added in dashes to season a cocktail.Glossary or a tonic serve with pink grapefruit. Mediterranean tonicMediterranean tonicA tonic with less bitterness and sugar, scented with herbs and citrus (rosemary, thyme, lemon). It leaves more room for the gin's botanicals.Glossary and a grapefruit wedge make the most transparent long drink. Use abundant ice, allow a little dilution and keep the fruit to a single restrained piece. The grapefruit supplies acidity and aromatic bitterness, two useful counterpoints to the gin's weight and elevated alcoholic strength.