Plymouth Navy Strength Gin

I love having discovered the concept of navy strength gin, and was very happy to find this at my local store, even if it was the only navy strength gin there. The Distiller board seems to love it, and although I think the amount of botanicals used is shockingly small, maybe simplicity is the key to the enjoyment here. In any case, I'm excited, and hope to enjoy and purchase more navy strength variants as I hiatus from other spirits. I DID know that this was going to be a clear spirit, of course, but the green tinted glass bottle is subtle, and was able to convince my brain that this gin was full of flavor. The nose is a split balance between citrus and floral, specifically some lime leaves, flower petals, lemon and lime rind, and some orange blossom. It may seem like I repeated myself, but it really is a simple back and forth between nostrils, with the juniper lightly holding back, and the ethanol surprisingly not making a big appearance almost at all. The citrus rind is the first flavor I taste, showcasing the oils at first, and then fading into just the rind itself some seconds later. The floral character is also on the taste, but I can't pull out anything specific, because it seems to just sit inside the top of my nose as a smell and not quite transform into a flavor to be tasted. I really only get a mild or mild-medium amount of juniper, and when I taste it more near the finish, I may also be getting a tea leaf flavor, but if so, it's very faint. The burn is quite good through the finish, as to be expected. The flavors are left behind in the gums, but not in an oily manner like some whiskeys, and instead just digging into the gums and coming out slowly, like some jerky chew. The flavor of this one was indeed pretty simple, but that definitely did not lead me to like it any less. Most gins that I seek have many botanicals, or a real heavy focus on a certain flavor profile, like the juniper, citrus, floral, juicy, etc, but having a "boring" gin like this is always a mood that comes along no matter how much flavor you try to hunt out. Because the juniper flavor is not as potent as I would have liked with this, it's both hard to envision a good gin while drinking this, but also easy to allow the other botanicals to take over more within the higher proof. It was certainly enough to show me that navy strength gins are definitely worth pursuing, and I look forward to not only purchasing more variants, but also to try this in classic cocktails, since the reviewing is always done neat. I never quite saw eye to eye with sailors, but this is one tradition I will have to admire about them.

I bought this a little while back and wanted to taste it in several drinks before I wrote a review of it especially since this will the Gin's first Rabble Review. So here we go. This is an outstanding and easy drinking Gin. It is a Navy Strength version of the regular Plymouth Gin. However, the botanicals seem to be stronger and more pronounced in this one as well. It has a wonderful juniper nose with a mixture of others and a citrus middle and end. Now if you drink this liquid you had better put on your "big boy drinking pants" because of the difference in proofs if you mix your drinks at the same ratios you will feel it very fast. Plymouth NS makes an outstanding Gin and Tonic (I like mine with two lime wedges) and even with the higher proof it goes down very smoothly. In my Martinis, I do a 3 to 1 ratio of gin to vermouth and it will knock your socks off with this gin. Dolins and Noilly Pratt ED are amazing with this gin. Lastly, a Gimlet was made for this gin. The flavors work so well together and on a hot South Carolina afternoon, it is a little glass of heaven. The only reason I did not score this higher is that it is very hard to find in the liqueur stores around me as only one store carries it regularly. Overall this is an outstanding Gin and I will do my best to keep it in my bar. If you like the original I believe you will like this as well.

Disclaimer: all comments refer to sample served neat, no water added, unless otherwise noted. Light grapefruit, lemon, and lime zest on the nose, and continues on entry. Juniper makes a sudden appearance, fades in intensity, yet still lingers end-to-end. Remains thick and sweet throughout, BUT....the light and laid-back taste profile betrays the high-ABV. While the burn is admirably low for the ABV (or I'm just used to cask strength spirits), the copper still alcohol signature comes through stronger than expected, and clashes with the otherwise sublime palate. The spice/sweetness ratio is acceptable. With a dash of water, the flavors muted, while the copper/ethyl mix came through. While I am not one to drink anything on the rocks, that is the way to go for this spirit. The flavprs were still attenuated, but so were the offending characteristics. As a mixer, this would be hard to top

Fruity, Juniper and Harsh This is one of the few older gins that I don't only taste lemon as the fruit, I also get berry tastes (like blackcurrant or raspberry). Furthermore, this gin tastes sweet to me as compared with others, like a sort of soda-pop aftertaste. Other than that this tastes like a good standard gin, junipers and all. Finally, I'd be remiss to not talk about the harshness of this strong gin - at 57% abv it packs a punch, and I notice it. I must say that this 57% gin goes down smoother than a lot of 40% gins I've tasted. Its one of a kind; it tastes like an exotic london dry, and is definitely worth a try.

Nose: floral notes, juniper, lemon, oranges Taste: reflects the nose with a heavy juniper and floral finish I'm pretty early in my exploration of Gin and I've already gotten to try some that I love and that stand out. This one seems pretty basic and standard to me. I was hoping the higher proof would add some depth, but its just given the basic flavors a stronger punch. The flavors work well in most cocktails but the proof can make it overwhelming. I don't typically drink gin neat and this one would be my last choice. Decent mixer but I'm not eager to buy another bottle.

This one is strong. Really strong. 114 proof and you can taste it. Juniper, citrus and cardamon on the nose. Lemon on the palate. When you taste it, it hurts. It burns all the way down to your belly. Even with a splash of water. But the funny thing is that it not necessarily unpleasant. Tried it in a Martini. Meh. I like mine with a London Dry. Excellent in a Gimlet with 2 oz of gin and 1 oz of house made lime cordial