Conniption Navy Strength Gin Takes Top Honors Among American Gins
Conniption Navy Strength Gin was considered the World’s Best Gin at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) Gin Judging.
Craft Brands Dominate Gold Medal Wins at BevTest 2025
At the 2025 BevTest gin judging, thirteen American gins received prestigious Gold Medals, with craft distilleries dominating the winner’s circle. Among them, the top-ranked gin was Conniption Navy Strength Gin from Durham Distillery in North Carolina, scoring an impressive 95 out of 100 points. Notably, even Costco’s Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin made the Gold list, showcasing the growing quality and diversity in the American gin market.
A Tribute to Tradition with Modern Innovation
Conniption Navy Strength Gin is bottled at a bold 57% ABV, a strength historically verified by the British Royal Navy—if gunpowder could still ignite after a gin spill, it was considered “navy strength.” Durham Distillery, founded in 2013, merges traditional copper pot still distillation with cutting-edge vacuum distillation to create a gin that balances power and precision.
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Their technique involves distilling core botanicals—juniper, coriander, and cardamom—in a copper pot still. Meanwhile, delicate ingredients like cucumber, honeysuckle, lemon, and orange peels are cold-distilled under vacuum to retain their brightness and complexity.
Tasting Notes: A Bold, Complex Expression
On the nose, Conniption Navy Strength Gin bursts with vibrant juniper, supported by notes of citrus zest, fresh cucumber, and a floral hint of honeysuckle, all subtly layered with cardamom spice.
On the palate, the gin is full-bodied and oily, showcasing intense juniper, bitter orange peel, and spiced coriander. The mid-palate brings in vegetal freshness from cucumber and a mild sweetness from honeysuckle, creating a layered and evolving flavor profile.
The finish is long and robust, with lingering notes of citrus oil, dry herbs, and a spicy backbone led by juniper.
Critics’ Praise and Cocktail Potential
The BevTest judging panel praised the gin’s aromas of spruce tips, coriander, and lemon thyme, with flavor notes of cardamom, beeswax, and Thai basil. They described it as a “bold, juniper-flavored gin with a surround sound of flavor that will tickle and delight gin drinkers.”
Its pronounced juniper character makes it a standout choice for cocktails like the Negroni, Gimlet, or a classic Gin & Tonic. Bartenders and mixologists are already exploring its potential in new, creative recipes, where the gin’s strength and complexity shine through.