Edinburgh Gin has built a formidable reputation from its home in Leith, and this Navy Strength expression demonstrates precisely why. At 57% ABV — the proof at which gunpowder would still ignite if doused with spirit, the historical benchmark from which the category takes its name — this is a gin that demands respect from the moment you uncork the bottle.
A Botanical Blueprint Worth Studying
The botanical bill here is quietly ambitious. Juniper leads, as it must in any gin worthy of the name, but it is the supporting cast that reveals Edinburgh Gin's intent. Pine buds reinforce that resinous, forest-floor character, doubling down on the gin's coniferous backbone in a way that feels both bold and considered. Mulberry and lavender introduce a gentle, almost perfumed sweetness — a counterweight to the muscular ABV that speaks to careful calibration during distillation. Citrus peel lifts the profile with brightness, while the classic troika of coriander, angelica root, and orris root provides the structural foundation that any experienced gin drinker will recognise as the hallmark of a well-constructed spirit.
Navy Strength Done Right
The challenge with Navy Strength gin has always been balance. At 57% ABV, there is nowhere for a distiller to hide — any rough edges in the spirit or any miscalculation in the botanical charge will announce itself immediately. What impresses me about Edinburgh Gin's approach is the restraint. This is not a gin that bludgeons you with alcohol heat; rather, the elevated proof amplifies the botanical intensity, giving each ingredient greater definition and presence. The lavender and mulberry, which might recede at a standard 43% bottling, hold their ground here, contributing a layered complexity that rewards patience.
Where It Sits in the Category
Within the Navy Strength category, this sits comfortably among the more refined expressions. It does not chase the briny, maritime character that some producers favour, nor does it lean into raw juniper aggression. Instead, it occupies a middle ground — assertive enough to satisfy traditionalists, yet sufficiently nuanced to intrigue those exploring the category for the first time. At £40, it represents fair value for a Navy Strength of this calibre.
Best Served
A Navy Strength gin of this quality deserves a stage that lets it perform. My recommendation is a Martini — two parts gin to one part dry vermouth, stirred long over ice and strained into a chilled coupe. The higher ABV ensures the gin's botanical character cuts through the vermouth rather than being softened by it. Alternatively, a G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a sprig of fresh lavender makes for a serve that is both striking and entirely in keeping with the gin's personality.
Edinburgh Gin Navy Strength earns a well-deserved 8.5 out of 10. It is a polished, thoughtfully composed spirit that honours the Navy Strength tradition whilst bearing the unmistakable fingerprint of its Leith distillery. A serious gin for serious drinkers.
