Navy Strength Gin

Grains of paradise and fresh lemon zest are added to the recipe for Chew Valley'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. The recipe builds on the distillery's Premium 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 formula, with extra cassia bark and fennel seed. Chew Valley Distillery bottles it at 59% ABV.

Dry · Navy Strength

Juniper sets a dry, resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary base, and the lemon zest adds a fresh citrus lift on the nose. Grains of paradiseGrains of paradiseWest African seeds related to cardamom, also called melegueta pepper: peppery and warm, with a citrus note.Glossary bring a peppery heat, cassia a sweet, woody spice and fennel seed a soft anise note that rounds out the palate. At this strength the flavours are concentrated, and the finish stays dry, with pepper and anise lingering.

The gin range uses organic British grain spirit and Cheddar spring water. Bottles are labelled by hand, and a handwritten booklet records the still, maker, date, batch and bottle number. This Navy Strength is available in a 70 cl bottle.

Joe and Amy established their family distillery business in 2020 in Bitton, between Bristol and Bath. The gin was named England's Best Navy Strength Gin at the World Gin Awards 2022. It was also a high-ABV category winner at The Gin Guide Awards 2021 and received silver at the London Spirits Competition that same year.

To taste it over ice, place a large ice cubeLarge iceOne large block melts far more slowly than several small cubes, so the drink stays cold without watering down.Glossary in a small rocks glassRocks glassA short, heavy glass (tumbler) for a spirit over a large ice cube or a short cocktail.Glossary and pour 3 cl gin over it. Place a lemon peel on a small dish beside the glass. The peel adds a fresh citrus aroma that matches the lemon zest in the recipe, while the slowly melting ice softens the strength of the gin and brings out the fennel and cassia. The producer also suggests a premium tonic as an alternative.