Flavor Profile
We’ve previously covered Durham Distillery’s Conniption American Dry Gin, and much is similar. Distilled via a two step process in a German built pot-still, Conniption Navy Strength Gin still splits the botanicals into two batches for distillation (vacuum, and traditional) to maximize the aromatics expressed in the final product.
Like other Navy Strength gins, this one is bottled at 57%, giving it a bracing on its own character that is well suited to cocktail mixing. But more on that in a bit.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, coriander, resinous juniper, a touch of English cucumber and a delicate hint of caraway towards the back end. Deciduous and green, its oily and rich with a thick, foresty hue.
The palate begins with a vegetal hint on the front of the palate, an interesting, savory fruity note, lifts with intense cardamom and coriander. Green notes on the back of the palate, grassy and green. Cardamom and ginger like spice on the finish, with hints of caraway and juniper resin towards the finish. Hot and precitably assertive on the palate, but completely lacking in ethanol/alcohol fume notes.
Overall, well made with nice balance in the botanicals, and a quiet base spirit in the service of a cohesive gin, that although contemporary styled, certainly is steeped in the tradition of classic gin.
I find that there are not very many true Contemporary style gins pushing the Navy Strength envelope, so I’m a big fan of what Conniption Navy Strength Gin does here.
Cocktails
Conniption Navy Strength Gin mixes wonderfully, adding a nutty nuance to the Army Navy Cocktail, dialing up with a spice laden backbone that transforms the drink. I found it good in a Gin and Tonic, though I admittedly preferred the regular strength, but it’s drinks like the Negroni where this gin comes to shine. The coriander and cardamom touches which are roars neat are gentle background noise mixed, that work wonderfully in support of cocktails with citrus and bitter accompaniments.
Overall
Conniption Navy Strength Gin is solid Navy Strength Contemporary style gin, of which there are precious too few out there. A great cocktail companion for lovers of more modern gin styles, the bold cardamom and coriander notes buoyed by some slight vegetal herbal touches adds enough juniper and spice to stand out in some of the boldest cocktail pairings.
Recommended, and Highly Recommended in its category.
Awards
I always like to try the local spirits of the places I visit, so when I was in North Carolina, I stopped at an ABC store and asked about their selection of NC liquors; the woman at the desk pointed me toward a shelf in the back, where I found a bottle of Conniption Navy Strength Gin.
I don’t think I’ve ever tasted such a smooth spirit at such a high ABV. Combine that attribute with the amazingly balanced flavour profile, and you have a world-class gin in your glass.
If you enjoy Conniption half as much as I did, you’ll love it!
Jim
I tried Coniption Navy Strength Gin at the Spotted Trout bar when I was visiting Blowing Rock, NC earlier this year. I had never had a Navy Strength gin before and I loved it. I tried to find it locally and had no luck until today. I was worried I had maybe I remembered as being better than it really was but WOW was I wrong. It smooth for having such a high ABV and so balanced. This is a must for any collection.