GIN KARBUN NAVY STRENGTH

The Navy strength label is a guarantee of its strength (58.5% alcohol) which you will not have to test with gunpowder, as sailors once did. The story behind what we know today as gin Navy strength began during the first gin boom in the 18th century. The Royal Navy prescribed that there must be a certain amount of gin on each ship as they sailed the high seas. Gin was supposed to be on board to help fight diseases that were common. However, some of the ship’s officers were suspicious of the gin, especially since the quality varied so much from town to town and felt it was overly diluted. In order to test gin of acceptable quality, it was tested by burning a mixture of alcohol and gunpowder. If it burned with a clear flame, it was proof that the alcoholic beverage was by standards (at least 57% alcohol in today’s sense). Failure to burn or a smoky flame are signs that the drink is below the required strength.