Southwick's Navy Strength Gin

Three separate distillations lie behind Southwick's Navy StrengthNavy StrengthGin bottled at 57% ABV or more. Royal Navy lore holds that at this strength, gunpowder soaked in gin would still ignite.GlossarySee Navy Strength gins Gin, made by Veritable Distillery in Stonington, Connecticut. It follows the same fractional method as the standard Southwick's, but on a cane spirit base and at 57% ABV, or 114 proofProofThe American measure of alcohol strength: twice the ABV (90 proof = 45% ABV).Glossary.

Citrus · Dry · Spicy · Navy Strength

Each batch has its own job. Juniper is maceratedMacerationBotanicals soak in alcohol, from a few hours to several days, before distillation to release their aromas.Glossary and distilled alone. A base-note maceration of cinnamon, angelica rootAngelicaThe root of a tall umbellifer, earthy and musky. After juniper and coriander it is the most common botanical: it binds the aromas and holds the finish.Glossary and licorice root forms the second run, while green cardamom, allspiceAllspiceA dried berry that recalls clove, cinnamon and nutmeg all at once, hence its name.Glossary and dried orange and lemon peel are vapour-infusedVapour infusionBotanicals sit in a basket above the liquid, so only the alcohol vapour passes through them, for a lighter, fresher extraction.Glossary for the top notes. The three distillates are then blendedBlendingMixing distillates made separately, one botanical or group of botanicals at a time, to build the final recipe.Glossary, which lets the distillery adjust roots, spice and citrus separately instead of fixing everything in one pot.

The aroma brings juicy juniper berries, warm spice, a sweet earthy backbone and light citrus.

On the palate the distillery finds resinous, piney juniper with a note of blackberry, shifting spices and a dry base broken by bursts of citrus. No blackberry appears in the recipe, so that impression comes from the botanicals themselves. Allspice, whose scent recalls clove, cinnamon and nutmeg at once, deepens that warmth, while cinnamon and licorice give the finish its length and cardamom keeps it fresh.

The gin reached stores in Connecticut and Rhode Island from June 2026, and it has already earned a Bronze from The Gin Guide Awards 2026, in their High ABV Gin category. Navy strength stands up well to a long drink: an Indian tonic keeps the spice in focus, a wide piece of orange peel matches the top notes and a couple of lightly crushed green cardamom pods repeat the vapour-infused layer. At this strength, the size of the ice matters: large cubes melt slowly and let the citrus open before the roots and cinnamon take over again.

For a stirred drink, the high proof also keeps a Martini firm, with juniper and cardamom showing clearly through the vermouth.