First Impressions
Bathtub Gin Navy Strength arrives with credentials that demand respect: three consecutive World Gin Awards titles for Best Compound Gin. The method is defiantly traditional — pot-still spirit infused with crushed botanicals for one hour, a technique closer to 18th-century gin production than modern distillery practice. The resulting spirit is slightly cloudy with visible botanical matter, and the name and string-wrapped brown paper packaging lean into the homespun aesthetic with calculated charm.
At 57% ABV, this is not a gin for the timid. Navy strength was originally the proof at which gunpowder would still ignite if soaked — a standard that tells you everything about what to expect in the glass.
The Distillery
Atom Brands produces Bathtub Gin using a compound method: pot-still spirit is infused with crushed juniper, cinnamon, cardamom, orange peel, cloves, and coriander for one hour. Unlike redistilled gins, compound gins derive their flavour from maceration alone, and the shorter infusion time is compensated by crushing the botanicals to maximise extraction. The result is a spirit of remarkable intensity — the botanicals have given everything they have in that concentrated hour.
Tasting
The nose is an event. Pungent, spiced, oily notes hit immediately — this gin does not believe in gradual revelation. Pine and spruce needles from the juniper provide the foundation, but cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and clove are all present with equal assertiveness. Even when chilled, the aroma is warm — the 57% ABV carrying the botanical oils with extraordinary intensity. It is a nose that fills a room.
On the palate, the initial burst of flavour comes courtesy of the spices. Cardamom and cinnamon lead the charge, followed by the citrus and juniper backbone that reminds you this is still, fundamentally, gin. The mid-palate settles into a wonderful melange — coriander and clove combining in a way that is warm, exotic, and deeply satisfying. The mouthfeel is full and oily, the crushed botanical infusion contributing a richness of texture that redistilled gins cannot achieve. At 57%, there is heat, but the botanical intensity is so engaging that the alcohol feels like a vehicle rather than a presence.
The finish is extraordinary — perhaps the longest of any gin currently on the market. Deep, satisfying warmth envelops the palate, and faint notes of bitter orange and clove linger long after the sip. When tasted neat, the finish can extend for minutes. It is a finish that justifies drinking slowly and contemplatively.
How to Drink It
The navy strength and intense botanical character make this an exceptional G&T gin. The 57% ABV means it holds its character against generous tonic — use Fever-Tree Indian and garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. The spice notes sing in this format.
In a Negroni, Bathtub Navy Strength is a revelation. The botanical intensity and high ABV stand up to Campari with magnificent defiance, creating a drink of extraordinary depth. It also makes a spectacular Navy Strength Gimlet — the lime juice cuts through the spice beautifully.
The Bottom Line
Bathtub Gin Navy Strength earns an 8.5 for delivering one of the most intensely flavourful, unashamedly bold gins available. The compound method produces a spirit of remarkable character — the crushed botanicals create a depth and texture that redistillation cannot match. The three consecutive World Gin Awards are thoroughly deserved. At around £32, the price is almost absurdly good for a gin of this quality and strength. If you want a gin that demands your attention and rewards it in kind, with the longest finish you are likely to encounter, Bathtub Navy Strength is the bottle to own.
