Tanqueray Or Gordon’s? Picking The Right London Dry Gin

Among the various London Dry Gin products, the two most popular brands happen to be Gordon’s and Tanqueray. The latter happens to be a popular favourite, especially for cocktails. Gordon’s is also well-liked among connoisseurs.

So, the question arises: which brand do you choose and for what purpose and occasion? Below are a few points that compare the gins in various metrics, which should help you understand the beverages better. 

Tanqueray

A classic gin, it is a perfect embodiment of London Dry Gin. It's the most commonly stocked beverage in bars. It is crisp and dry with juniper-forward flavour, making it an excellent choice to make a Gin And Tonic. Tanqueray is also less sweet and more bitter.

History

Tanqueray's story began in 1830 when Charles Tanqueray set up his Vine Street distillery in Bloomsbury in London. He started to experiment with the world’s finest botanicals ending up with over 300 recipes in the process. One of the results was his Tanqueray London Dry Gin recipe which has helped define the standard for all London Dry Gins ever since.

ABV:  47.3%

Tasting Notes 

Nose: Fresh and smooth, with juniper and citrus Palate: Balanced and dry, with juniper, coriander and liquorice Finish: Long and full, with juniper with a hint of spice

Botanicals

Consists of four botanicals — juniper, coriander seed, angelica root and liquorice, though the recipe is a well-kept secret.

​Key Flavours: Juniper

Distillation: Distilled four times

Gordon’s

A very recognisable brand of traditional London Dry Gin in every bar, Gordon’s has indeed become an iconic beverage. It is mass-produced and more affordable than Tanqueray. It leads among low-end priced London Dry Gin and has no pretence of being among premium and craft gins. Gordon’s is typically sweeter and less bitter than Tanqueray, and less likely to be used in cocktails.

History

In the 18th Century, London was the world’s capital of gin production which led to the birth of many good gin brands. One such brand was Gordon’s. Alexander Gordon, a Londoner with Scottish heritage, started his distillery in 1769 in London’s Southwark. The region had a quality water supply, which helped create a crisp and outstanding gin. Gordon continued to focus on excellence, insisting on the use of only the finest botanicals. Gordon's soon became the unofficial drink of the British Navy and received four Royal Warrants, a mark of recognition by the United Kingdom government, for its quality.    

ABV: 37.5% 

Tasting Notes 

Nose: Fresh, with juniper and citrus Palate: Dry and fresh, with juniper and citrus Finish: Short and light, with juniper and citrus 

Botanicals:

Consists of juniper, coriander seeds, orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, orris root, liquorice, ginger, nutmeg and cassia oil, while the recipe is a well-guarded secret.

Key Flavours: Juniper & Citrus

Distillation: Distilled thrice

In conclusion, the only common factor between Tanqueray and Gordon’s is that they both are juniper-forward, which is true for most London Dry Gins. But both have distinct flavour profiles and serve different purposes when it comes to making drinks.