Ahoy there, gin lovers! Are you able to set sail on a high-proof journey? We’re charting a course to the lands of navy power gin—a spirit that’s not for the faint-hearted.
When you see ‘navy strength’ on a bottle of gin, you understand you’ve acquired the great things. But what’s it? What’s it like? Which ones are good? And most significantly, why drink it?
With its origins courting again to the 18th Century, this sturdy liquor has gained a loyal following amongst gin connoisseurs and hospos, but it surely’s nonetheless a little bit of a thriller to most.
So let’s have a better take a look at the historical past, traits and serving options of navy power gin, and uncover why it’s a must-try for any ‘gin-thusiast’.
Here are 7 of our favorite navy power gins and what they style like.
What is navy power gin?
Navy power gin—in reality any spirit that has ‘navy strength’ on its label—is a high-ABV spirit. To be legally known as gin, it needs to be a minimal of 37.5percentABV (75% proof). You’ll often discover gin at 40% as much as the mid-40s.
Navy power—or ‘overproof’ spirits need to be at the least 57percentABV (100% proof), and you will discover it even stronger than that.
Why is it known as navy power gin?
There are a few theories about why it’s known as navy power and the place the custom began. Both are to do with the truth that at 57percentABV, gin will ignite.
Back within the 18th Century, common sailors within the navy got rum rations and the officers got gin. That custom solely stopped in the midst of the twentieth Century by the best way.
One story goes that, as a result of the rations have been saved within the maintain of the ship close to the battery, if a barrel leaked and acquired into the gun powder, the powder would nonetheless ignite.
It’s yarn.
But extra seemingly is that, again within the 1700s, they didn’t have devices that might precisely measure alcohol content material.
So when naval ships restocked, to make certain the spirits they purchased weren’t watered down by unscrupulous merchants, the quartermasters would check the ABV towards a unadorned flame.
If it was ‘navy strength’, the gin would ignite, proving its alcohol stage. If it had been tampered with, it wouldn’t.
This might be the place the phrase ‘proof’ comes from once we’re speaking about alcohol power.
What makes navy power gin fascinating? And what does it style like?
Navy power gin is a formidable spirit. But when it’s made properly, that further 17percentABV or so can do unbelievable issues to the feel of the gin and the flavour depth of the botanicals.
Obviously, there’s a danger to creating a high-ABV spirit that it’ll simply style like paint-stripper. And that’s all the way down to the talent of the distiller. The ones we’ve highlighted under are exceptionally easy, to the purpose the place you wouldn’t know they’re a lot stronger than common gin.
But other than the facility that you simply do get from navy power gin—a type of wealthy heat and all-encompassing, tongue-coating flavour hit—you get to expertise plenty of aromas and tastes that go unnoticed in decrease power gin.
Citrus, spice and pepper, woodiness and juniper all shine out in these OP gins.
The smartest thing about navy power gin is its skill to face up in longer drinks. In a G&T, when gin can typically disappear below the tonic, navy power actually holds its personal. But not solely due to its excessive ABV, but in addition as a result of its flavours might be a lot extra accentuated.
Distillers will let you know to strive it the identical approach you’d scotch: neat with a drop or two of water to ‘open it up’. Or even with a single ice dice.
Navy power is admittedly enjoyable in a martini, simply watch out for those who’re not used to it. You don’t wish to be strolling the plank after only one drink!
What are a few of our favorite navy power gins?
Not many big-name manufacturers have a navy power of their repertoire, so you must search for extra craft distilleries for an OP model.
It’s additionally vital to notice that good navy power gin isn’t simply the distillery’s common gin that’s simply stronger; you solely need those which were comprised of a recipe only for that particular gin.
7 Superb Navy Strength Gins
Check out our navy power gin rundown of our favorite overproof gins right here.
You may also purchase most of those and lots of extra from the wonderful Nip of Courage – a small enterprise that solely shares Australian craft spirits and nothing else. They’re additionally the wholesaler to many bars and bottle retailers across the nation, so that is place to get your gin goodies!
