Tanqueray London Dry Gin

I have a huge respect for the history and simplicity of Tanqueray. It's speculated it's made with as little as four botanicals and given it's straightforward taste that's easy to believe. But don't mistake straightforward for being boring--this is quite a bold spirit that asserts it's presence. At 47% ABV it packs a punch and it has juniper front and center. Newer gins will let other botanicals take the lead or lean into citrus. Tanqueray doesn't bother. It's the epitome of London Dry Gin. You wanted gin so that means juniper. Nothing more. Nothing less. Well that's not quite right. There is the smell of coriander and other spices, though they all take a backseat to the aggressive juniper smell. I've never tasted or smelled angelica root so I can't vouch for it. I personally couldn't pick up licorice on the nose. The taste is pretty much the nose. Juniper will bombard your senses with coriander making an appearance in the back. At the finish you get some citrusy pith and licorice. It stays in the mouth for quite some time and it has a very pleasant oily characteristic to it. This is very dry indeed. No citrusy sweetness to save you from the juniper! Personally I think Tanqueray defines what a gin tastes like. All other gins define themselves against it, sometimes literally! Seriously, the new wave of gins are actively trying to be the opposite of Tanqueray. But this stuff is delicious, makes some mean gin and tonics and is just an essential for any bar. An absolute delight and it's great to see a recipe with such a rich history is still being produced into the 21st century.

When I think of London dry gin's, Tanqueray and Beefeater inevitably come to mind. Beefeater is my go-to, but I haven't tried Tanqueray neat in a long time so maybe it deserves a place alongside Beefeater. The nose is very juniper forward. I expected other notes to show up, but I only could identify the juniper. The palate is a bit oily, with some spice and again the juniper. I know London dry gins are heavy on the juniper, but this one seems to just continue to punch you in the face with it. The finish has some heat to it and lasts a pretty long time. I had higher hopes for this one, but it definitely comes out in a pretty far second to Beefeater. Unfortunately, this is just too one note for me to like neat. It also is a bit more expensive than Beefeater, so while it does a fine job in cocktails, especially a martini, I don't see why I would choose this. Beefeater does just as well in cocktails and better neat, while also being cheaper.

Compared to Beefeater, this is almost subdued in terms of Juniper, but not in overall flavor. The Juniper is still strong, but just not as much of a standout, with the citrus in particular getting a much bigger role. It’s not so much that the former is single note, as to say that here there’s more of a balance between the players, with the juniper omnipresent, but so well integrated into the backdrop it is hard to tell where all those other flavors and aromas begin and end.

A crisp, London Dry Gin by Tanqueray Distillery using the same recipe since 1830 before bottling at 47.3% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of berries, fruits, herbs & spices; while a crisp life adds notes of juniper oil, lemon & orange zest; that led to a long & fresh death with a touch of cedar, anise, angelica, coriander & rosemary.

I'm expecting big flavours from its high abv. But was disappointed. It's perhaps the most muted gin in nose palate and finish I had tried, even less than Gordon's, beefeater's, and hayman's entry level entries. Juniper and spices profiles are very faint, with a ginger lemon note being upfront. But still faded.

Very solid staple, one of my favorite London Drys so far. Considering the tiny number of botanicals the complexity is quite an achievement, juniper is obviously center but not overwhelmingly so, surrounded by a certain hint of herbals and spiciness. Reasonably smooth, will work with a great number of drinks.