Some gins are made for a gentle afternoon in the garden. This is not one of them. Battle Strength is our bold, high-strength gin, bottled at 55% and named for the moment Scotland changed its own history.
Here's what high-strength gin actually is, how Battle Strength tastes, and the best way to pour it.
What is a high-strength gin?
Most gins sit around 40 to 43% ABV. A high-strength gin pushes well beyond that. The extra alcohol carries more flavour and holds its own in a cocktail, where a standard gin can get lost behind the mixer. You may have heard the term "navy strength", which traditionally means 57% ABV, the point at which gunpowder soaked in spilled gin would still light, proving the sailors hadn't been watered down. Battle Strength lands just below that mark, at a punchy 55%: all the intensity, with balance still intact.
Named for the Battle of Stirling Bridge
In 1297, at Stirling Bridge, William Wallace turned the tide of Scottish history. Battle Strength takes its name from that moment, and it's made just up the hill, at the Old Smiddy at the foot of Stirling Castle. It's a gin with a bit of Scotland's most famous turning point in every sip, and it doesn't apologise for what it is.
How it tastes
Battle Strength is juniper-forward and unmistakably bold.
- Nose: big juniper, cracked black pepper and citrus zest
- Palate: spice-forward, warming and bold
- Finish: long and peppery, with a clean juniper fade
How to serve it
At 55%, Battle Strength rewards a little care. For a long drink, a splash of Fever-Tree Naturally Light tonic opens it up without drowning the botanicals. To taste it properly, pour it neat over ice and add a few drops of water, which lets the spice and juniper breathe. And because it stands up to other ingredients so well, it makes a serious backbone for a Negroni or a martini, where a softer gin would simply disappear.
Where it sits in the range
If Battle Strength is the bold one, our flagship Stirling Gin (43%) is the everyday classic, built around wild Stirlingshire nettles. Together they cover both ends of the spectrum. Browse the full Stirling gin range to find yours, or come and taste them side by side on our Gin Experience at the distillery.
Frequently asked questions
What ABV is Battle Strength Gin?
55% ABV. It's a high-strength gin, just below the traditional navy-strength mark of 57%.
Is Battle Strength a navy-strength gin?
Not quite. True navy strength is 57%. At 55%, Battle Strength is a high-strength gin with the same bold, cocktail-ready character.
What does Battle Strength taste like?
Big juniper, cracked black pepper and citrus on the nose; spice-forward, warming and bold on the palate; a long, peppery finish.
How should I drink it?
With Fever-Tree Naturally Light tonic, or neat over ice with a few drops of water. It's also excellent as the base of a strong, balanced cocktail.
What sizes does it come in?
Battle Strength is available in 5cl and 50cl.
Ready for something bold? Shop Battle Strength Gin or explore the full Stirling gin range.
Go deeper: read what 55% ABV actually does to your gin and tonic.
