Rock Rose Navy Strength Gin

Rock Rose Navy Strength Gin. Dunnet Bay Distillers, Dunnet, Caithness, Scotland — the full-proof version of Rock Rose, bottled at 57% ABV and amplifying the landmark Caithness botanical blend of Rhodiola rosea, rowan berries, sea buckthorn, and blaeberries into something bolder, more intense, and more aromatic than the flagship.

Navy Strength gin is defined by its ABV: 57%, the proof at which gin was traditionally supplied to the British Royal Navy. At that strength, if gunpowder was accidentally dampened with spirit, it would still ignite — the Navy's guarantee that the spirit hadn't been watered down. Bottling at Navy Strength concentrates the oils of every botanical more intensely into the glass, producing a more vivid, aromatic, and texturally rich experience than lower-proof expressions of the same recipe.

Rock Rose Navy Strength uses the full 18-botanical Rock Rose recipe — dual juniper from Italy and Bulgaria, Rhodiola rosea, rowan berries, sea buckthorn, blaeberries, cardamom, coriander, verbena, cinnamon, and others — but at elevated proof, the botanicals assert themselves more forcefully. The warm pine of the juniper hits immediately. The bold rowan and blaeberry fruit character in the heart is unmistakable. The deeper earthy notes of angelica and orris, which sit quietly in the background of the original, emerge more prominently here. Best served with less tonic than usual — the higher ABV holds up to dilution beautifully and makes an outstanding Negroni.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Intense, bold, and fresh with warm pine juniper immediately upfront. Distinctive berry notes from rowan and blaeberry. Lemon sherbet and floral Rhodiola rosea brightness on top.
• Palate: Juniper assertively leads before the bold berry character of blaeberries, rowan, and hawthorn takes over. The earthier, deeper botanicals — angelica root and orris — which sit quietly in the original, emerge more prominently here. Full-bodied and textural.
• Finish: Long, warming, and complex. Berry fruit and juniper fade into earthy botanical depth. The higher ABV carries everything further and longer.

Specs

• Distillery: Dunnet Bay Distillers, Dunnet, Caithness, Scotland
• Style: Navy Strength Gin
• Botanicals: Full Rock Rose 18-botanical recipe including Rhodiola rosea (rock rose), rowan berries, sea buckthorn, blaeberries, juniper (Italy & Bulgaria), cardamom, coriander, verbena, cinnamon, hawthorn, angelica, orris root, and others
• ABV: 57% (114 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Rock Rose Navy Strength taste like? Intense and bold — warm pine juniper immediately upfront with distinctive rowan and blaeberry fruit in the heart. The earthier botanical notes of angelica and orris that sit quietly in the original emerge more prominently. Long, warming finish with berry fruit and botanical depth.
• What does "Navy Strength" mean? Navy Strength denotes gin bottled at 57% ABV — the proof at which the British Royal Navy traditionally sourced gin. At this strength, if gunpowder were accidentally dampened with the spirit, it could still ignite, proving the gin hadn't been watered down.
• How does Rock Rose Navy Strength differ from the original Rock Rose? Same 18 botanicals, same recipe — but the higher ABV concentrates the botanical oils more intensely. The juniper hits harder, the berry fruit is bolder, and the deeper earthy botanicals that are subtle in the original become more prominent.
• How should I serve Rock Rose Navy Strength? Dilute with less tonic than usual given the higher ABV. Try a ratio of 1:2 or 1:2.5 (gin to tonic) rather than the typical 1:3. Also exceptional in a Negroni or Martini where its botanical intensity can hold its own.
• Is Navy Strength just stronger? Or does it taste different? Both. The alcohol content itself changes the mouthfeel and carries heat and warmth. But more importantly, the higher ABV holds more botanical oils in solution, which is released into the palate more vividly. It genuinely tastes different, not just stronger.