Navy Strength gin occupies a singular place in the canon of British spirits — a category born not from fashion but from function, where proof had to be high enough that gunpowder would still ignite if the spirit spilled over it. At 57% ABV, Perry's Tot Navy Strength Gin from New York Distilling Company honours that tradition with conviction, yet brings a distinctly American perspective to a quintessentially British style.
Heritage and Character
The gin takes its name from Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, who in the early nineteenth century served as commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard — a fitting patron for a spirit produced in the borough he once oversaw. New York Distilling Company has built a reputation for considered, craft-led distillation, and Perry's Tot is arguably the bottle that put them on the map. It is a Navy Strength gin that wears its proof with remarkable composure.
Botanical Profile
The botanical bill here is compact but cleverly constructed. Juniper, as it must in any serious Navy Strength expression, provides the structural backbone — bold, resinous, and unapologetic at this proof. Cardamom and cinnamon introduce a spiced warmth that tempers the intensity without softening it, while citrus peel lifts the spirit and prevents it from becoming too brooding. The inclusion of wild honey is a particularly interesting choice: it lends a subtle, rounded sweetness that gives the gin an almost textural quality on the palate. Angelica root, that quiet workhorse of the gin botanicals world, binds everything together with its dry, earthy character.
Style and Standing
What impresses me most about Perry's Tot is the balance it achieves at full Navy Strength. Too many gins at this proof allow the ethanol to dominate, but here the botanicals are given room to speak clearly. The spice notes from the cardamom and cinnamon are assertive without tipping into excess, and the honey integration is seamless rather than conspicuous. It sits confidently within the Navy Strength category — not a gin that pushes boundaries for the sake of novelty, but one that demonstrates how rewarding this style can be when the distiller exercises genuine restraint and precision.
At a price point of approximately £35, it represents strong value for a Navy Strength expression of this calibre, particularly one with the craft credentials behind it.
Best Served
Perry's Tot is a natural Negroni gin — the elevated proof ensures it holds its own against Campari and sweet vermouth without being submerged. Equally, a simple Navy Strength G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a twist of grapefruit peel makes for a commanding serve that lets the botanical complexity shine through.
A well-made, well-balanced Navy Strength gin that earns its place on any serious back bar. I score it 8.5 out of 10.
