Tanqueray Ten Gin Review And Tasting Notes
Tanqueray Ten is an interesting gin, much more nuanced and complex than the classic entry-level Tanqueray, which is a good work gin, but in terms of flavor, it is decidedly rough, indeed cut with a hatchet.
The beauty of Tanqueray ten gin is that it keeps all its abrasive cleanliness of a classic London dry gin unchanged, adding a splash of citrus and nutmeg. Let’s say that the classic base of resin, cardamom, earthy flavors and aromas are always the same. They don’t change much, but that’s okay: solidity is the great strength of Tanqueray gin. Except in the case of this Ten, a pinch of variety and elegance has been added. It is not an upheaval, but it is an appreciable change from a distillery that focuses on tradition.
How is produced?
It is produced in the company’s Scottish distillery. Traditional distillation of the alcohol repeated three times in which the botanicals were left to macerate. Then a fourth final distillation follows in the historic still number 10 of the distillery, which is responsible for the bottle’s name. The difference in the care put into making this gin is felt all over, don’t expect the usual brawl gin in pubs.
Organoleptic characteristics of Tanqueray Ten gin
The nose is spicy, very citrusy, with good persistence, a certain algid elegance that pushes a lot on ginger, citrus, earthy tones such as licorice and cardamom. The juniper resin envelops and stings with brazen audacity but in a much more delicate way than the basic Tanqueray gin. Let’s say that the two products are on two different levels and it makes no sense to make a direct comparison, also given the price difference.
On the palate, it is sharp. It flows spicy and between memories of orange peel and pepper. The rhythm is good. It has depth and a certain floral elegance mixed with layers of wood and other more mentholated ones. It does not have a thousand scents or suggestions. It is not a Monkey 47 style tasting gin. It is not even an extreme terroir super gin like the Botanist. No, it is a tough, slightly nuanced London dry that wants to work hard and make a thousand gins tonic. There is nothing wrong with being a midfielder who runs like a mule and lets the others score.
Price
31-33 euros: the price is acceptable. While not stratospheric or super elegant, it does have a certain finesse, so it would be a mistake to consider it a battle Tanqueray gin. Of course, it is always an everyday-work gin, but as a value for money, we are there. It’s made with care and has a spartan flair that will appeal to lovers of hard and pure gins with no frills.
What cocktails to make with Tanqueray Ten Gin
Gin & Tonic, Singapore Sling and Bramble above all, thanks to a good structure, which withstands the impact even with extreme and delicious tonic waters. Good with fizzes, collins, basil smash. Also excellent with fruity cocktails based on fruit juices such as the Bronx or Monkey Gland. Not bad for the Ramos Gin Fizz. Less brilliant with vermouth, undoubtedly too rough for a Dry Martini and Tuxedo, already more tolerable for Vesper and Negroni, in which licorice flavors find a good side in sweet vermouth and bitter.