Edinburgh Gin, produced at the distillery on Leith's Commercial Quay, has built a reputation for elegant, well-crafted spirits that reflect the character of Scotland's capital. Their Navy Strength expression takes the core Edinburgh Gin recipe — which includes pine buds, mulberries, and lavender alongside the traditional juniper and citrus — and amplifies it to 57% ABV, producing a gin of considerable power and complexity.
The distillery's position in Leith, Edinburgh's historic port district, lends a certain appropriateness to a Navy Strength gin. This is a harbour that has received ships from around the world for centuries, and the gin carries a maritime quality that feels authentic rather than marketed.
On the Nose
The nose opens with robust juniper, given additional depth and resinous character by the pine bud botanical. This combination creates an aromatic profile that is more intensely woody and green than a typical London Dry Navy Strength. Behind the pine-juniper lead, there is a surprising sweetness from the mulberry — a dark, berry-like quality that adds dimension without undermining the gin's seriousness. Lavender appears as a subtle floral note, more herbal than perfumed, and citrus provides brightness. The higher proof intensifies all of these elements, creating a nose of genuine complexity.
The Palate
The palate is bold and multi-layered. The entry is powerful — 57% makes itself known — but the botanical intensity matches the proof, preventing any sense of being overwhelmed by alcohol. The pine bud and juniper combination creates a structural framework of extraordinary depth, green and resinous and utterly commanding. The mulberry sweetness provides essential contrast, softening the intensity on the mid-palate. The mouthfeel is rich and oily, coating the tongue with concentrated botanical flavour.
The lavender, barely detectable on the nose, emerges more clearly on the palate, adding an herbal quality that is distinctly Scottish — think highland heather rather than Provençal lavender fields. The citrus cuts through the richness with precision, and the overall balance, despite the intensity, is remarkably well-judged.
The Finish
The finish is long and warming, as befits a gin at this strength. Pine and juniper dominate, creating a finish that feels like standing in a coniferous forest on a cold day — green, clean, and invigorating. The mulberry sweetness lingers faintly, preventing the finish from becoming austere, and there is a final note of lavender that adds complexity.
In a Negroni, Edinburgh Navy Strength is outstanding — the pine notes add a dimension that standard gin cannot provide, and the 57% ensures the gin stands up to Campari with authority. In a gin and tonic, use Indian tonic and a sprig of rosemary to complement the herbal character. And neat, with a single ice cube, it is a contemplative gin of genuine distinction.
Edinburgh Gin Navy Strength is a reminder that Scotland produces world-class gin as well as world-class whisky. The combination of traditional and distinctively Scottish botanicals, amplified to Navy Strength, creates a gin that is both powerful and nuanced — no small achievement at 57%. It is, quite simply, one of the best Navy Strength gins currently available.
