Only a month after its launch the new Navy Strength gin from Devon’s Thunderflower Distillery has been awarded the industries top award, a Masters award from the Spirits Business Magazine’s Gin Masters 2020.
Launched in 2008, The Global Spirits Masters competition is one of the most respected trade competitions attracting entrants from across the globe with an expert judging panel that rates and rewards excellence in spirits production, giving brands key differentiation in a crowded market. Judges can award Silver, Gold & Master medals.
FireShip 58 is a small-batch Navy Strength Gin designed, distilled & bottled by Devon based micro-distillery, Thunderflower.
Navy strength gins have become an increasingly popular niche amongst gin enthusiasts in recent years, with a high alcohol content over 57% that provides a stronger flavour hit that can stand up to mixers and cocktails well. “Inspiration for Fireship 58 came from the last invasion of England which took place near the distillery in Teignmouth in 1690 by the French fleet who had just won a naval victory at the Battle of Beachy Head. Naval battles back then used Fire Ships, wooden ships packed with combustibles and gunpowder, set alight and steered whilst ablaze into the enemy fleet and we imagined the crew taking their last gin before launching their Fire Ship”, says Managing Director, Anicca O’Nions.
FireShip 58 is distilled in small batches in the London Dry method using vapour infusion to extract a complex, full-bodied flavour from 20 botanicals from around the world. Only pure Dartmoor spring water is added to dilute the spirit to a punchy 58% ABV, which is the strength at which gunpowder will still burn, even if soaked in gin, and the test that was applied by the Royal Navy to test the quality of the gin ration being supplied to the ships, which is where the term ‘Navy strength’ comes from.
Judges tasting notes included “”chai, cassia and cinnamon cookies” on the nose with “lovely lemongrass, ginger and a hint of chocolate“.
“We are absolutely thrilled to win the Master award for FireShip 58 so soon after launch”, says Anicca. “We spent many months developing the recipe and with only 11 Masters awarded in the whole competition of hundreds of gins this really is a result to be proud of.”
Thunderflower Distillery is an award-winning Devon micro-distillery that produces smallbatch craft gins. Visit www.thunderflowergin.com for further details. For any enquiries, please contact Anicca O’Nions, Managing Director on anicca@thunderflower.co.uk or 07853 267170.
