NB Navy Strength Gin

An initial juniper aroma gives way to citrus in NB 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. On the palate, citrus follows the juniper before warm, earthy spice appears. The long finish returns to juniper with a hint of white pepper, which leaves a final touch of warmth.

Citrus · Spicy · Herbal · Navy Strength

Made from grain spirit at NB Distillery in North Berwick, East Lothian, and bottled at 57.2% ABV, the gin follows the original NB Gin process at a higher strength. Its botanical selection includes lemon peel, along with coriander seed and cardamom, which bring those earthy notes. 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, orris rootOrris rootIris rhizome dried for years, then ground. Powdery and violet-like, it mainly works as a fixative that binds and lengthens the other aromas.Glossary, cassia bark and grains of paradise also feature, alongside rosemary grown at the distillery. Rosemary adds a fresh, herbal note, cassia a woody sweetness, and angelica and orris root a dry depth that gives the gin its body. The higher strength brings a dense, warming texture.

NB Navy Strength Gin won a gold medal at the Global Gin Masters in 2017 and another gold at the inaugural Scottish Gin Awards. The standard bottle contains 70 cl.

Pour 3 cl gin into a small tasting glass without ice or mixer. Place juniper berries in a small dish beside the glass. Their aroma offers a reference for the juniper in the glass, while tasting the gin neat lets its citrus and spice develop without dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary. Nosing the berries first and then the gin makes it easier to pick out the juniper from the lemon peel and rosemary. A small measure suits this strength, and the gin can also be sipped over ice, which softens it gradually. Holding the glass by its base keeps the gin cool while the aromas open.