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Gin Advent Calendar 2024: Day 4 – Darnley's Navy Strength @theaardvark
theaardvark

Gin Advent Calendar 2025: Day 4 – Darnley's Navy Strength (Or: Fortifying Myself for the Evening's Casework)

Date: 4th December 2024

MrsVark remains poorly, which means I'm conducting another solo tasting. This would be fine, except today's offering is Darnley's Navy Strength Spiced Gin at a frankly alarming 57.1% ABV.

For context, it's 10pm, I have two to three hours of admin and email still to complete, and my priority inbox is literally written on my hand. This may not have been my finest decision.

Watch the video:

What's in the Box?

  • Gin: Darnley's Navy Strength Spiced London Dry Gin
  • ABV: 57.1% (which is basically drinking hand sanitiser)
  • Volume: 30ml
  • Distillery: Wemyss Family Spirits, Scotland
  • Style: Navy Strength, allegedly "spiced"

Navy Strength gin has a specific definition, so the internet tells me – it must be at least 57% ABV, which was historically the strength at which gunpowder would still ignite if soaked in the spirit. This was important on Royal Navy ships where gin and gunpowder were stored together. Whether this historical titbit makes drinking it at 10pm before a late-night work session more acceptable is debatable.

The Tasting

Appearance: Pale golden colour, which immediately sets it apart from yesterday's crystal-clear Tanqueray.

Nose: Surprisingly restrained for something this strong. There's definitely juniper there, but it's not aggressive. I was expecting more obvious "spice" given the name, but it's quite subtle – which is actually rather sophisticated.

Taste: This is a properly well-made gin. The juniper is front and centre, as it should be in a London Dry, with a warming spice element that builds gradually rather than hitting you over the head. There's a slight sweetness that balances the alcohol heat, and the finish is long and clean.

Now, I'm necking this neat and in one go, which is absolutely not how most sensible people would approach a 57.1% spirit. This is entertainment, not a masterclass in gin appreciation. If you were to sip this properly, or – heaven forbid – actually use it in a cocktail as intended, you'd get much more from it. A brief bit of internet research to make it sound like I know what I'm talking about tells me that the higher ABV means it stands up brilliantly in a G&T without being drowned by the tonic, and it would make an absolutely cracking Negroni.

The similarity to yesterday's Tanqueray isn't a criticism – both are classic London Dry gins done properly. The "spiced" element here is subtle rather than gimmicky, which I appreciate. This isn't trying to be a Christmas pudding in a bottle.

The Verdict: This is a quality gin that deserves better than being necked at 10pm before a late-night admin session. At 57.1%, it's designed to be diluted or mixed, where it would genuinely shine. The fact that it's still pleasant when drunk neat and far too quickly is actually a testament to how well-balanced it is. Would I buy a full bottle? Possibly, particularly for mixing. It's a serious gin for people who know what they're doing with spirits.

The Running Tally

  • Day 1 (Sipsmith's): Solid start – 8/10
  • Day 2 (Gordon's Lemon): Cleaning product disaster – 2/10
  • Day 3 (Tanqueray): Respectable recovery – 7/10
  • Day 4 (Darnley's Navy Strength): Quality gin, questionable timing – 7/10

Success Rate: 75% (three genuinely good, one spectacular miss)

We're now at the halfway point of the first week, and I'm pleased to report that the calendar has recovered from the Gordon's Lemon incident. Three out of four have been proper, well-made gins that would hold their own in any drinks cabinet.

Tomorrow is Day 5, and MrsVark assures me she'll be back for the tasting. Whether this improves or worsens the experience remains to be seen. At the very least, I won't be attempting council paperwork afterwards.

The Calendar: Drinks by the Dram Gin Advent Calendar, £75 for 12 drams

Previous days: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

 

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