Plymouth Gin Navy Strength

Difford's Guide
Discerning Drinkers (8 ratings)
Buy direct from

The Whisky Exchange

Bottle size: 70cl
£ 42.95
the_whisky_exchange store logo

alc./vol: 57%

Proof: 114°

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: Unaged

Product of: Product of United Kingdom United Kingdom

By 1850 Coates & Co, the makers of Plymouth gin, were supplying over 1,000 casks of Navy strength gin to the British Royal Navy each year. Naval officers would mix it with Angostura aromatic bitters and lime juice for 'medicinal' purposes.

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.

Review and Tasting


Sampled on 08/08/2012

Appearance:

Crystal clear.

Aroma:

The addition of a little water releases a wonderfully floral, citrus nose with strong notes of lavender, camphor and pine.

Taste:

Supercharged Plymouth in both flavour and strength. The wonderfully flavoursome palate includes more floral notes with rounded lemon and sage coriander, lemon zest and clean juniper notes.

Aftertaste:

Pine freshness dominates with spicy naan bread and lingering citrus zest.

Join the Discussion


... comment(s) for Plymouth Gin Navy Strength

You must log in to your account to make a comment.

Report comment

You must be logged in to upvote or downvote a comment

Click here to login
Buy direct from

The Whisky Exchange

Bottle size: 70cl
£ 42.95
the_whisky_exchange store logo

Update information/image

Product Information

Barcode UPC: 5000299608050
Bottle Size: 700 ml
Closure: Screw / Stelvin cap

More about Plymouth Gin Navy Strength

Produced by: Black Friars Distillery
Owned by: Pernod Ricard Group
UK distribution by: Pernod Ricard UK
Welcome to Difford's Guide

All editorial and photography on this website is copyright protected

© Odd Firm of Sin 2024