There are few gins that carry the weight of history quite like Plymouth. Distilled at the Black Friars Distillery — a building that has been producing spirits since 1793 — Plymouth Gin holds a geographical indication that is unique among English gins. This is not a London Dry, nor a contemporary reimagining. It is, by definition, Plymouth: a style unto itself, rooted in place and tradition. The Navy Strength expression takes everything that makes the original remarkable and turns the volume up to 57% ABV, the proof at which gunpowder would still ignite if soaked — the very standard the Royal Navy once demanded of its rations.
A Gin Built for Purpose
Plymouth Gin Navy Strength is distilled from a considered botanical bill of seven ingredients: juniper, coriander seed, orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, orris root, and cardamom. It is a relatively restrained recipe by modern standards, and that restraint is entirely the point. Where many contemporary distillers reach for ever-longer botanical lists, Plymouth has always understood that balance is not achieved through complexity alone. Each botanical here has a defined role — the juniper providing the resinous backbone, the citrus peels lending brightness, the angelica and orris grounding the spirit with earthy depth, and the cardamom offering just a whisper of aromatic warmth.
The Navy Strength Distinction
At 57% ABV, this is a gin that demands respect. The higher proof amplifies every element of the botanical profile, giving the spirit a commanding intensity that the standard 41.2% expression only hints at. I have long maintained that Navy Strength gins reveal the true character of a distillery's craft — there is nowhere to hide at this proof. The distillers at Black Friars clearly know their copper pot stills intimately, because this gin wears its strength with remarkable composure. It is muscular without being aggressive, concentrated without becoming harsh.
Where It Sits
Plymouth Navy Strength occupies a singular position in the gin landscape. It is one of very few gins that can legitimately claim both a geographical style designation and a Navy Strength credential. At £38, it represents sound value for a spirit of this calibre and heritage. For anyone building a serious gin collection, this bottle is not optional — it is essential.
Best Served
A Plymouth Navy Strength Martini is, to my mind, one of the finest expressions of the cocktail. The higher ABV stands up beautifully to dry vermouth — I would suggest a 4:1 ratio with a twist of lemon peel. It is equally formidable in a Negroni, where the proof ensures the gin is never overshadowed by the Campari. For a G&T, pair it with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a generous strip of orange zest to echo the citrus in the botanical bill. Whatever you choose, this is a gin that rewards considered drinking.
