Edinburgh Cannonball Gin announces its intentions from the name alone. This is a Navy Strength expression bottled at 57.2% ABV — the proof at which gunpowder will still ignite if doused with spirit, a standard that has defined the category since the days of the Royal Navy. It is a gin built for impact, and the Edinburgh Gin distillery has long demonstrated a sure hand when it comes to balancing boldness with refinement.
Style & Character
Navy Strength gins demand a particular kind of courage from the distiller. At 57.2%, there is nowhere to hide — every botanical decision is amplified, every flaw magnified. The best examples in this category deliver juniper-forward intensity without tipping into harshness, and Cannonball positions itself squarely in that tradition. Edinburgh has built a reputation for approachable yet well-structured spirits, and this expression represents the more assertive end of their range.
What I find appealing about Cannonball is its confidence. This is not a gin that apologises for its strength. The higher ABV provides a robust canvas that should carry botanical character with real authority, making it a compelling option for spirit-forward serves where a standard-strength gin might get lost.
Best Served
A gin of this calibre belongs in a Negroni, where its elevated proof can stand toe to toe with Campari and sweet vermouth without being overshadowed. Equally, a Navy Strength Martini — stirred, with a ratio of perhaps 3:1 — will reward those who appreciate intensity with elegance. For a long serve, pair it with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a twist of grapefruit peel.
At 7.3 out of 10, Cannonball is a solid and well-executed Navy Strength gin. The small bottle format at £14.95 makes it an accessible entry point for anyone curious about the category — or a useful addition to the home bar for those evenings that call for something with a little more firepower.
