Manly Spirits North Head Navy Strength Gin

At 58% ABV, North Head is Manly Spirits Co.'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 in Sydney and named for the headland at the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Juniper is worked into the recipe at three stages - steeping, distillation and vapour infusionVapour infusionBotanicals sit in a basket above the liquid, so only the alcohol vapour passes through them, for a lighter, fresher extraction.Glossary - giving this botanical a defining role. Native blood lime and rainforest lime bring Australian citrus, joined by lemon myrtle, riberry and red rose petals.

Citrus · Dry · Floral · Navy Strength

The nose is led by assertive juniper and a bright, native-citrus lift. Lime brings a tangy edge; lemon myrtleLemon myrtleThe leaf of an Australian tree with an intense lemon scent, purer than zest and without acidity.Glossary adds a fragrant, leafy citrus quality, while rose petals and riberry broaden the aroma with floral and berry notes. Coriander, angelica and orris support the recipe with familiar gin botanicals. The higher strength concentrates these aromas, so a small measure reveals more than alcohol intensity alone.

On the palate, juniper stays firm and dry as the lime notes spread across the sip. Riberry contributes a fruit accent, and rose gives a softer floral note before the roots and herbs bring the finish back to a savoury, structured line. The producer describes the finish as long and clean. A little water or gradual melting ice can open the aromas, while an oversized pour would make the strength dominate the finer botanical detail.

In a gin and tonic, fill a balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary with clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary and pour 4 cl of North Head with 10 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic WaterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary. Add a thin lime wheel and two juniper berriesJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary inside the glass. The restrained ratio respects the 58% bottling strength; lime extends the native citrus and juniper underlines the gin's core. Stir once, then give the drink a brief moment to settle before tasting.