First Impressions
When Pickering's decided to release a navy-strength version of their 1947 Bombay recipe, they bottled it at a very precise 57.1% ABV — the exact proof at which, historically, gunpowder soaked in spirit would still ignite. It is a fitting strength for a gin with a military-adjacent provenance, and the higher proof transforms the already spice-forward recipe into something genuinely magnificent.
Navy strength gin is not merely a stronger version of the same gin — the increased alcohol changes the way botanicals express themselves. Volatile aromatics are amplified, sweetness is enhanced, and flavours that sit quietly at 42% announce themselves with authority at 57.1%. The result is a gin that takes the 1947 recipe's strengths and turns the volume up without losing the balance.
The Distillery
Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh uses the same nine botanicals as the standard Pickering's — juniper, coriander, cardamom, angelica, fennel, anise, lemon peel, lime peel, and clove — but the higher proof reveals dimensions of the recipe that the standard expression only hints at. The sweeter botanicals — cardamom, anise, fennel — are the primary beneficiaries of the increased strength, and they dominate the navy-strength experience in the most delightful way.
Tasting
The nose is immediately intense. Clean, sweet lemony citrus and floral juniper notes swirl into action, but it is the resounding spice that commands the aroma. There is an intense fragrance of juniper pine with aromatic spices layered above, and fresh coriander adds a herbaceous quality. The 57.1% ABV carries the aromatics with remarkable power — this is a nose that fills the room.
On the palate, the navy strength reveals the recipe's true potential. Robust but fragrant cardamom and anise are unleashed in enormous waves — this is where the higher proof earns its keep, amplifying the sweet spice botanicals to magnificent effect. Mouth-watering sweetness arrives in the form of fennel and clove, creating a mid-palate of genuine opulence. Juniper and eucalyptus maintain the gin's identity with piney authority, and bright, refreshing citrus from the lemon and lime peels provides essential brightness. The mouthfeel is thick, rich, and viscous — the 57.1% giving the spirit a tactile quality that standard strength cannot approach.
The finish is outstanding — among the finest navy-strength finishes available. A warm, aromatic linger of sweet cardamom extends for what feels like minutes, persistent and deeply satisfying. It is a finish that justifies the premium over the standard expression all by itself.
How to Drink It
The navy strength makes this an extraordinary G&T gin — the 57.1% ensures the botanicals carry through even the most generous tonic pour. Use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a star anise and an orange slice — the spice amplification is magnificent in this serve.
In a Negroni, Pickering's Navy Strength is revelatory. The cardamom and anise stand up to Campari with majestic defiance, creating a drink of extraordinary warmth and complexity. It also makes the finest Gimlet the 1947 recipe can produce — the lime juice and the lime peel botanical create beautiful harmony.
The Bottom Line
Pickering's Navy Strength earns an 8.5 for demonstrating that the 1947 Bombay recipe reaches its full potential at 57.1%. The higher proof transforms what is already an excellent gin into something genuinely outstanding — the cardamom, anise, and fennel sing at this strength, and the finish is one of the longest and most satisfying in the navy-strength category. At around £35, it represents exceptional value for a navy-strength gin of this quality. The original 1947 recipe writer could not have imagined their Bombay formula at this proof — but it is hard to believe they would not approve.
