Plymouth Gin Navy Strength

The high strength was important as this meant the gin could be spilt on gunpowder without affecting its ability to ignite when needed in battle. A sensible precaution, given casks of gunpowder and gin were stored alongside each other in the ship’s hold. However, British Navy Strength actually is 54.5% alc./vol., at least that’s the strength specified by the Navy's Victualling Board for the rum issued as a daily tot to its seaman. The higher 57% alc./vol. strength is actually English Proof, which also has its origins in gun powder testing of proof and the adoption of Sikes' new scale in 1818.

Plymouth Gin’s navy strength was reintroduced in 1993 when Desmond Payne, the master distiller at the time, sought to create a gin to celebrate Coates & Co’s 200th anniversary. View less