Navy Strength Gin
Citrus driven Navy Strength gin, rounded in whisky barrels
Navy Strength Gin is CIRKA’s high proof gin, built on 100% Québec corn and bottled at 57.1% alc vol. In a nod to the original British naval proof, it delivers true Navy strength while staying surprisingly smooth. Sweet orange and lemongrass lead the profile, then two months of rest in corn whisky barrels add warmth, colour and quiet depth.
57.1% alc vol
500 ml
Base: 100% local Québec corn
Rested 2 months in CIRKA corn whisky barrels
Nose: Citrus and floral, with boosted notes of sweet orange, lemongrass and elderflower, finishing on a light spice.
Palate: Clearly citrus forward, with a hint of spice and soft floral undertones. Star anise and barrel influence appear in the mid palate, giving a richer texture than a typical London Dry at this strength.
Finish: Long, warm and controlled. Oak and citrus peel linger with a gentle heat that feels precise rather than aggressive, especially when served with ice.
🏆 World’s Best Gin – World Gin Awards 2021
🥇 Best Canadian Navy Strength Gin – World Gin Awards 2021
🥇 Gold Medal – The Gin Masters 2020 (The Spirits Business)
A Navy Strength gin built on citrus and oak
Navy Strength Gin looks back to the era when naval officers tested their gin by pouring it over gunpowder and checking that it would still ignite at 100 British proof, the point we now recognise as 57.1 percent alcohol.
CIRKA revisits that story with a contemporary spirit made from local Québec corn, distilled grain to bottle in Montréal, then rested in its own corn whisky barrels for two months. The maturation adds a gentle amber colour and a rounder texture while keeping the focus on citrus, spice and strength.
The result is a Navy Strength gin that feels composed. It carries the power and clarity bartenders expect at this proof, yet remains refined enough to sip on its own in small pours.
Cocktails with Navy Strength Gin
Cannonball brings Navy Strength Gin together with black cherry juice, amaro and tonic water. Cherries and sage on the garnish pull the aromatics forward, while the high proof gin keeps the structure firm and the finish long.
Shipwreck is a bold, travel inspired serve where Navy Strength Gin meets exotic spices, lime and bitters. The citrus notes in the gin connect naturally with the lime, and the barrel influence gives enough warmth to hold the spices in place.
Distilled by CIRKA
Built on Quebec terroir, distilled in Montréal
CIRKA is recognised as Québec’s first grain to bottle distillery, producing its own base spirit from local corn and distilling everything on site along the Lachine Canal in Montréal.
For this gin, the team layers citrus driven botanicals onto that base spirit, then lets time in corn whisky barrels pull everything together. The approach is technical yet simple in intention, produce a Navy Strength gin that can carry serious cocktails and still be appreciated on its own in a measured pour.
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FAQ
Pick up a bottle at SAQ (Code 14393491) across Québec SAQ
Visit the CIRKA distillery shop in Montréal to buy on-site and discover the rest of the range.
Navy Strength Gin is a flavoured dry gin built on 100 percent Québec corn, bottled at 57.1 percent and finished in corn whisky barrels. It emphasises citrus, particularly sweet orange and lemongrass, supported by spice and oak.
At 57.1 percent it is clearly more intense than a standard 40 to 44 percent gin such as Gin Sauvage, yet the barrel ageing and citrus profile keep it from feeling harsh. Served cold, with dilution from ice or mixers, it reads as powerful but controlled.
Yes, in small measures. A short pour over a large cube lets the citrus, floral notes and barrel character open slowly. Many people also enjoy it in a simple highball with quality tonic and a strip of orange zest.
It is particularly well suited to drinks that benefit from higher proof gin: intense sours, Negroni style builds, bold spritzes, and long drinks that need the spirit to stay present through dilution. Recipes like Cherry Valentine, Cannonball and Shipwreck were all designed with that in mind.
