Gustaf Navy Strength Gin

Gustaf 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 is named after Gustaf Swanson, great-grandfather of the family behind Far North Spirits in Minnesota. It is bottled at 57% ABV, or 114 proofProofThe American measure of alcohol strength: twice the ABV (90 proof = 45% ABV).Glossary, and the distillery describes a recipe of eleven botanicals. Orange peel, cinnamon and pink peppercorn are among the named ingredients. The tasting notes also bring out juniper, honeysuckle, white pepper and yuzu.

Citrus · Spicy · Navy Strength

Juniper meets a lively citrus impression on the nose. Orange peel and yuzu add brightness, while pink peppercorn and cinnamon bring a warmer aromatic side. The strength is clear on the palate, but it also carries the botanicals distinctly. Juniper gives a dry, pine-like line; citrus keeps the sip lifted, and peppercorn leaves gentle warmth. Honeysuckle appears in the distillery's tasting description as a floral note, softening the spices without making the gin sweet.

For the Perfect ServePerfect serveThe way the producer recommends serving the gin (glass, tonic, ratio, garnish) to show it at its best.Glossary, 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, add 5 cl of gin and 10 cl of Thomas Henry Dry Tonic, stir gently, then garnish with a small orange twist and a pink grapefruit wedge. The orange draws out the citrus, while the grapefruit adds a fresh counterpoint without repeating the pepper. Keep the tonic measured so the 57% gin remains central. This bottling also suits a Martini or Negroni, where its proof and spice can stand beside vermouth and bitters. In a stirred drink, controlled dilution preserves the differences between juniper, citrus and pepper.

Eleven botanicals are part of the gin's identity, with orange peel, cinnamon and pink peppercorn among the most recognisable. Around them, honeysuckle, white pepper and yuzu come through as aromas rather than dominant flavours, giving the high-proof spirit more nuance than its strength might suggest. Gustaf combines a Minnesota family distillery story with a powerful botanical recipe, and suits cocktails that can accommodate its intensity while keeping citrus and spice distinct.