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 energy gin—a spirit that’s not for the faint-hearted.
When you see ‘navy strength’ on a bottle of gin, you already know you’ve received the great things. But what’s it? What’s it like? Which ones are good? And most significantly, why drink it?
With its origins relationship again to the 18th Century, this sturdy liquor has gained a loyal following amongst gin connoisseurs and hospos, however it’s nonetheless a little bit of a thriller to most.
So let’s have a more in-depth have a look at the historical past, traits and serving options of navy energy gin, and uncover why it’s a must-try for any ‘gin-thusiast’.
Here are 7 of our favorite navy energy gins and what they style like.
What is navy energy gin?
Navy energy gin—the truth is any spirit that has ‘navy strength’ on its label—is a high-ABV spirit. To be legally referred to as gin, it must be a minimal of 37.5percentABV (75% proof). You’ll often discover gin at 40% as much as the mid-40s.
Navy energy—or ‘overproof’ spirits need to be at the least 57percentABV (100% proof), and you could find it even stronger than that.
Why is it referred to as navy energy gin?
There are a few theories about why it’s referred to as navy energy 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 course of the twentieth Century by the best way.
One story goes that, as a result of the rations had been saved within the maintain of the ship close to the battery, if a barrel leaked and received into the gun powder, the powder would nonetheless ignite.
It’s a very good yarn.
But extra probably is that, again within the 1700s, they didn’t have devices that would precisely measure alcohol content material.
So when naval ships restocked, to make sure the spirits they purchased weren’t watered down by unscrupulous merchants, the quartermasters would take a look at 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 energy.
What makes navy energy gin fascinating? And what does it style like?
Navy energy gin is a formidable spirit. But when it’s made nicely, that additional 17percentABV or so can do unimaginable issues to the feel of the gin and the flavour depth of the botanicals.
Obviously, there’s a threat to creating a high-ABV spirit that it’ll simply style like paint-stripper. And that’s right down to the talent of the distiller. The ones we’ve highlighted beneath are exceptionally clean, to the purpose the place you wouldn’t know they’re a lot stronger than common gin.
But other than the ability that you just do get from navy energy gin—a type of wealthy heat and all-encompassing, tongue-coating flavour hit—you get to expertise numerous aromas and tastes that go unnoticed in decrease energy gin.
Citrus, spice and pepper, woodiness and juniper all shine out in these OP gins.
The neatest thing about navy energy gin is its means to face up in longer drinks. In a G&T, when gin can typically disappear beneath the tonic, navy energy 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 method you’d a very good scotch: neat with a drop or two of water to ‘open it up’. Or even with a single ice dice.
Navy energy is basically enjoyable in a martini, simply watch out if you happen to’re not used to it. You don’t need to be strolling the plank after only one drink!
What are a few of our favorite navy energy gins?
Not many big-name manufacturers have a navy energy of their repertoire, so you need to search for extra craft distilleries for an OP model.
It’s additionally necessary to notice that good navy energy gin isn’t simply the distillery’s common gin that’s simply stronger; you solely need those which were constituted of a recipe only for that particular gin.
7 Superb Navy Strength Gins
Check out our navy energy gin rundown of our favorite overproof gins right here.
You can even 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!
