Perry's Tot Navy Strength Gin arrives from New York Distilling at a commanding 57% ABV — the precise threshold that defines the Navy Strength category. The name itself is a nod to history: Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, the naval officer who oversaw the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the 1840s, and the daily tot of spirit issued to sailors. It is the kind of provenance that earns immediate respect.
Style & Character
At 57%, this is a gin that demands your attention. Navy Strength was originally specified so that gunpowder would still ignite if soaked in the spirit — a practical test that has since become a badge of intensity and craft. Perry's Tot sits squarely within that tradition. New York Distilling have built a reputation for considered, small-batch production, and this expression carries the hallmarks of a distillery confident enough to let high-proof spirit speak for itself. The botanical bill, while not publicly disclosed in full, delivers a profile robust enough to hold its own against the considerable heat of the ABV — no small feat.
Best Served
A gin of this strength is purpose-built for cocktails that require backbone. I would reach for it first in a Navy Strength Martini — stirred, with a 4:1 ratio and a lemon twist — where the elevated proof cuts through the vermouth with authority. It is equally at home in a Negroni, where it refuses to be overshadowed by Campari. For a long serve, a generous measure over ice with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a twist of grapefruit peel lets the spirit's intensity carry through without overwhelming.
Verdict
Perry's Tot is a serious Navy Strength gin from a distillery that understands the category. At £42.50, it sits at a fair price point for a spirit of this calibre. I have scored it 7.9 out of 10 — a mark that reflects both the quality of the liquid and the honest craftsmanship behind it. It does what Navy Strength should do: it delivers power without sacrificing drinkability.
