What is Navy Strength Gin?
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Simply put, Navy Strength gin is any gin with a minimum ABV of 57%. Most standard gins have an ABV or Alcohol by Volume of 40%.
Navy Strength gin is often considered a purer, more flavourful expression of gin with the potential to offer a creamier mouthfeel.
A Brief History of Navy Strength Gin
Following its introduction to Britain during the 80 Years War of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, gin became a staple for members of the Royal British Navy. Rations of booze were considered an important facet of maintaining morale on ships.
Prior to the 1710’s and the introduction of the hydrometer, there was no accurate way to measure the strength of the spirit. To ensure that the spirits they received were of quality and not overdiluted with water, sailors would perform a “proof” test. This involved soaking gunpowder with the gin and lighting it on fire. If the gunpowder ignited, it meant that the gin (or rum) was of a satisfactory alcohol level and “100% proof”.
Another story is that gin rations and gunpowder barrels were often stored in the same location on a navy vessel. If a 100% proof spirit started to leak out of its container and onto the gunpowder, there was no risk of ruining perfectly good material for shooting muskets or cannons.
In 1818 the use of a Sikes hydrometer was adapted into law and it measured “proof” to be 57% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, the British Navy conducted their own tests and using the Sikes scale and found “proof” to be at 54.5% alcohol by volume.
Navy Strength Gin Today
We generally accept that a Navy Strength gin will be between 55 and 59% ABV. Most commonly a Navy Strength gin is at 57% or at 100% proof. British Navy Strength remains at around 54.5% and so a gin at 57% is, according to the Brits 114% proof. But typically, the Americans do things differently and “proof” is twice the percentage of alcohol in solution at 60deg Farenheit or 15.6deg C. Everyone else measures alcohol at 20deg C. Confusing right – so lets just stick to Australian gins!
The actual term Navy Strength didn’t start being officially used until the 1990s, originating as a marketing tactic to sell high-proof gin.
So why buy a Navy Strength gin?
It is a fundamentally different drinking experience, one where the extra alcohol changes the aromatic profile, the texture, and the way ice and mixer interact with the gin.
At 57% ABV, the ethanol acts as a more aggressive solvent releasing more from the botanicals. A higher ABV will also produce a viscous, almost oily texture — warming on the palate in a way that 40% gin simply is not. This is not a flaw; for many drinkers, it is precisely the attraction.
Flavour dilution is often mentioned. When using crushed ice, generous pours of tonic, or elaborate layered cocktails it is common to reach for navy strength gin specifically because the final diluted drink still tastes like gin.
Our Mallee Spirit Navy Spice gin nods to the spice trade and the warring sea galleons of the 17th century. Cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon were prized commodities and dominate this gin – and after reading this blog, you can amaze your friends at trivia nights and savour the qualities that go with a navy strength gin.
Comments