Slingsby Navy Strength
Slingsby Navy Strength Gin – 57%ABV
Botanicals: Madagascan juniper, green and jasmine tea, rosemary, silver posie thyme, citrus thyme, garden thyme, rhubarb, sage, lovage, chervil, cicely, rose hip, moorland heather, hyssop, primrose, oregano, milk thistle, angelica, cassia, orris roots, coriander, liquorice, grapefruit
Garnish – grapefruit wedges
As always with Slingsby products, this Navy Strength gin is beautifully packaged. The black glass bottle comes in a black box, all very classy.
For the origins of Navy Strength, we need to go back to the 18th century when officers of the Royal Navy colonised most of the known world by day and drank gin by night (non officer types were only allowed rum). But some suspected that their nightly tipple was being diluted by untrustworthy foreign types and came up with a test to prove it. The gin was often stored near the gunpowder, so the test was, if gin was spilt onto gunpowder and did not ignite, it had been diluted. It would only light if the gin was at least 114 proof (57% ABV). Hence the term Navy Strength.
The first reaction on smelling Slingsby Navy Strength was: WOW! This is gin on steroids, not for the faint of heart. Huge hits of juniper and citrus with herbs in the background.
As this is a very strong version of the flagship product, there are are obvious similarities; the botanical tastes are intensified, however. Neat, there are large bursts of grapefruit and citrus, followed by sweet herbs and tea. Initially we thought this was just too strong to be appreciated neat but we kept coming back for more. And more. We are currently enjoying it most as a digestivo, sipped slowly over ice. Delicious.
Served with Franklin’s Tonic and garnished with a wedge of pink grapefruit, the taste opens out. The subtleties are more evident, tea, spice and juniper all to the fore and an unmistakable hit of candied rhubarb and citrus. There is also a hint of creamy vanilla.
As expected, a mean martini was made and we are in no doubt that mixologists will be creating some fabulous cocktails with this product.
Our only disappointment was the price, retailing as it does at £52.99. It is obviously much stronger than the standard gin and the argument would be that you could drink smaller measures. But we loved it so much we chugged through it at the same rate. So, regrettably, Navy Strength will not be usurping Slingsby Artisan Gin on TheGinMan’s shelf. For special occasions only. Hmm, I do have a big birthday coming up…
