The Navy Strength gin from Devon’s Thunderflower Distillery has been awarded the industry’s top award, a GOLD & BEST ENGLISH NAVY award from the World Gin Awards 2023.
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. This is not just a stronger version of their Thunderflower Gin, but an entirely new recipe.
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.
“We are absolutely thrilled to win the Gold & Best English Navy award for FireShip 58 – What a fantastic start to 2023”, says Anicca.
The country winners in each category go through to the next round, where the overall winner of each category will be crowned. These results are announced at the end of February.
Thunderflower Distillery is an award-winning Devon micro-distillery that produces small-batch craft gins. Visit www.thunderflowergin.com for further details.
