Tanqueray No. TEN Gin

A rating of 16 out of 23. This is intriguing and quite palatable. It presents the typical fruity and floral notes along with juniper and significant spice, giving it a taste comparable to a gin positioned between Tanqueray and Nolet's. It's less intensely bold than Tanqueray, potentially making it less ideal for cocktails, but it comes across as somewhat more sophisticated. Nolet's possesses more sweetness and a much more cloying fruity flavor (though this one still has some). Generally, this is quite tasty and well-balanced, not excessively laden with certain elements, but also lacking the boldness and depth I'd prefer, especially for mixing. In a more recent comparison with standard Tanqueray, this offers less rich fruitiness but a smoother, cleaner profile. The palate reveals a considerable amount of alcohol and a spicy zest with prominent juniper and citrus notes. There's a touch of sweetness, but not an overwhelming amount. It's actually rather sharp and spicy with substantial bitterness. Herbal notes are also quite present. Curiously, I'm not impressed this time. The most recent tasting reveals more fruity sweetness and less harshness. Perhaps I shouldn't have consumed it immediately after sweet vermouth, so I doubt that last evaluation is very reliable. The flavor is crisper and fruitier than Ford's, yet it's also less rich and well-rounded. I appreciate Ford's more savory notes, but it misses the juicy orange and light grapefruit that this possesses. The herbal notes emerge more strongly this time, and the harshness is considerably reduced. I'm uncertain whether this or Ford's is harsher, so a direct comparison is needed again later. I'm currently leaning towards a 15ish rating for this, but it could be higher. It's a superb gin, although my initial thought of it being far superior to Ford's has shifted to placing them on equal footing (this speaks more to Ford's quality, however). The palate is suitably sweet and unexpectedly floral, similar to regular Tanqueray. It has a clean taste with pleasant citrus, alongside the customary pine and peppery bite. It's smooth and elegant with a good harmony of flavors. Regular Tanqueray is more herbaceous and earthy. I'm inclined to think this is slightly better, but it's challenging to make a definitive choice given their differences. There are still ample herbal notes and spice present here, as well as abundant juniper. It's more refined than Nolet's but less rich and engaging. Compared to Beefeater, it has more body, but the citrus, pepper, and juniper are less prominent. It actually presents more as a refined juniper spirit than a refined Tanqueray. Or perhaps it resembles a blend of Beefeater with a touch of Tanqueray influence and some softening? In any case, I prefer it significantly over Beefeater and slightly over regular Tanqueray. This is a fine gin – I'm considering a 16, but it might be higher. Potentially as low as a 15, but it's unlikely to drop below that. Nolet's is much more assertive, with a clearer stance on gins being floral and sweet. It's also more brash, though. Nolet's is richer but also lacks balance and complexity. I can see these two being contenders with no clear victor. When compared to Ford's, which I initially found inferior and later deemed superior, this one is more floral, but possibly less complex. Ford's stylistically strikes me as falling between Tanqueray and Tanqueray No Ten. I'm currently struggling to determine which of the two is superior.

Plenty of new bourbons to sample, but let's finish one of these "clear" spirits first. The No. Ten, also known as #10 Tanqueray, represents their typical "line upgrade," meaning a higher price. So, what extra value does it offer? To begin, the No. Ten presents a classic gin aroma and taste with its botanicals, feeling smooth, aromatic, and pleasing. It's also well-balanced; the anise doesn't overpower the chamomile and coriander, and the white grapefruit provides a pleasant dry note that expands the overall profile. The ability of Tanqueray to achieve such a harmonious blend of botanical flavors indicates they've "cracked the code," and I can confidently add this to my collection of "standard gins." For newcomers to gin, it might be drier than anticipated. However, much like Tanqueray's Rangpur Lime product, they appear to acknowledge that "dry gin" is a distinct category and remains popular. The smoothness detected initially persists through the tasting, and the dry elements, like grapefruit, don't interfere. There's just a very slight warmth at the end, and yes, this is the 94.6 proof version. The only drawback is that after experiencing the No. Ten, you'll likely find yourself unwilling to go back to the standard Tanqueray. The No. Ten Tanqueray is a reliably solid option for any home bar, and for those specifically seeking a "dry gin," it remains a safe bet. I'd recommend it for most people, excluding perhaps everyday gin drinkers on a tight budget.

This is the more upscale Tanqueray option. I found No. Ten to be considerably superior to the standard Tanqueray. Unlike the regular Tanqueray, this one offers more than just a single characteristic. The nose is floral, with some grapefruit and a hint of juniper. Unlike the original Tanqueray, it doesn't overpower with juniper, but it's still present on the palate. There are also citrus notes and peppercorn. The finish has slightly more warmth than I anticipated, but there are some pleasant mint notes. Tanqueray No. Ten is a solid upgrade from the original. It's well-balanced and performs excellently in cocktails. I prefer it over the original in a martini and it's great in a gin and tonic. The increased price is justified here; however, if forced to choose between this and Beefeater, I would still select Beefeater. Both are good neat, and I believe Beefeater is slightly better in cocktails, but since Beefeater is also $10 or more cheaper, it's the clear winner in my opinion.

I do appreciate a good Gin, and this is indeed one of them. I'm a big admirer of Tanqueray, and I enjoy this one even more than the standard version. Nose: Potent citrus, juniper, of course, a slight alcohol sting that surprisingly works. Taste: Robust juniper, but citrus is clearly the dominant element. Quite dry, likely from grapefruit. Then some botanical notes and a subtle sweetness with a hint of spice. Finish: Remains quite dry, develops a touch of bitterness, but not unpleasantly, concluding with a spicy bitterness. Overall, a truly excellent London Dry, fantastic in a Martini, G&T, or a more citrus-focused cocktail like a Gimlet or Gin Rickey. It's also quite pleasant for sipping neat or on the rocks, though sipping gin feels somewhat unusual to me. Bonus points for the distinctive bottle. High-quality gin; while you can find great gins for less, I believe you get what you pay for. I would rate this 71/100 (which is quite high in my scoring system).

I really dig Martinis and Negronis. Gin and tonics aren't my jam, but I don't dislike them. Tasted in a traditional Martini with M&R dry vermouth and a twist, I found this one had more sweetness and a touch more citrus compared to my typical Bombay Sapphire. This is a damn good London Dry. Served neat, the initial sweet citrus quickly fades into a piney, resinous juniper. It’s quite full-bodied, but there's a distinct alcohol kick. The aroma has a slightly sterile quality. It won't be taking the place of Sipsmith or The Botanist on my shelf, but you'll probably keep seeing a bottle of this at my place. 4.25/5

Nose: Lemon, floral, orange, pine, with a slight intensity. Palate: Clean lemon-floral sweetness with significant pepperiness. Underlying dry pine complements the clean profile alongside the pepper. Coriander and floral notes are present. While not overly complex, it's a nice, clean gin. I find a different brand richer, more complex, and smoother. This gin is elegant and definitely drinkable on its own. It's not exceptional. I'm detecting more herbal and slightly earthy notes now. I'm adjusting my rating downwards.