We’re not exactly sports fans, or idol chasers, but we have analogues for that here in the professional drinker department.
We are, of course, pretty happy when a spirit, wine or beer we love wins an award. Other than being happy for the people who spent all that effort making good booze, there’s also an element of vicarious living; someone else clearly shares our good taste.
We jest, of course. Everyone can appreciate a winner.
In the case of Tanqueray Ten, the gin picked up a Double Gold at the recent Singapore World Spirits Competition (SWSC) 2019. That is to say, they received unanimous gold medal ratings from all judges in both the Best Gin and Best in Show Unaged White Spirit categories.
Well, we’re chuffed, and on reflection, it was easy to count (to ten at least) the ways we love Tanqueray Ten. Yes, our list is subjective, but we’re speaking as fans, not critics, for once, so we’re not even slightly sorry. So, without further ado…
1. It’s the same, yet different.
Tanqueray is one of the most established names in the gin world. The original, like Beefeater and Gordon’s, has been a mainstay for so long, it almost seems stodgy.
Yet, the Tanqueray Ten, despite trying to be something different, doesn’t run from that legacy. It is still, incredibly, recognisable as part of the same lineage. Maybe it’s the interplay between the juniper and angelica root in it. Maybe it’s the (relatively) small set of ingredients.
We don’t know, but as Asian people, we like the symbolism, whether intended or not.
2. It looks pretty good.
Yes, beauty is only skin deep, but we’d rather have something that we can put front and center on our bar. The long, green bottle screams both Tanqueray and style. Or perhaps, if you’re a fan of Art Deco as well, beautiful.
3. It is consistent.
It won at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2000 and again in 2017. It’s not just that they’ve won the awards, but they have won them over and over again, to different sets of judges, across a different span of time. It was good twenty years ago, and it’s still good now!
4. It’s made using entire fresh fruits.
Florida oranges, Mexican limes and Pink Grapefruits. An A+ for effort here, since it would be much cheaper, and a lot easier, to just use the peels. That is not to say that you can’t make a good gin with the peels alone, but using the whole fruit gives a distinctive soft, fruity flavour.
5. It’s still, recognisably, a gin.
If there’s one criticism of “new-wave” gins that we agree with, is that many gins aren’t actually…gin.
By definition, a gin’s predominant flavour has to be juniper. People do get carried away when they add some exciting new ingredient into the mix- ourselves included. It would be a strain to call some of the newer spirits gin.
Yet, the Ten manages to skirt the line fairly well- you can taste the citrus, but the juniper still takes the top billing on that billboard.
6. It smells great.
This isn’t talked about much, but if you’re going to drink a gin neat- or even in a Spanish style G & T, it better give off the wonderful aromas.
Now, this is pretty subjective, all agreed, but sipping gin, we prefer those that don’t smell like petrol, or barnyards. A white spirit had better smell fresh, or suffer incessant mockery.
With camomile as one of its botanicals, the Ten smells like fruit and flowers, with a hint of spice. The scents of a summer’s day, without all the trouble of getting out of the house.
7. It’s easy to drink, even on its own.
For all it’s heft as a full-fledged spirit (47% ABV!), it’s remarkably forgiving to drink on its own. A structured progression of citrus, floral and spice flavours helps to ease the palate into the tasting. It’s light enough in flavour that one can drink it quickly, slowly, or anywhere in between, and there isn’t much of the typical “burn” from a high-proof spirit.
8. It makes a fantastic citrus- based Gin and Tonic.
The citrus botanicals in the gin work well with lemons, limes, or even oranges- but grapefruit, in particular, makes a knockout combination.
The result is something refreshing, fruity and undemanding. A perfect fit for our scorching weather. Here’s a good recipe if you want to make your own.
9. It also makes fantastic cocktails that aren’t G&Ts.
With a soft quality in the spirit, a combination of citrus, floral and spice elements, it’s quite a versatile gin. It tends to work best in lighter cocktails, like a Gin Fizz- whether Ramos or Classic, a London Buck, an Aviation or even a Martini. It can also work in a Negroni, but go light on both vermouth and the amaro.
10. It’s easy to get your hands on some.
Considering its sterling qualities, it’s surprisingly easily available and inexpensive, especially considering the higher proof.
You can usually score a bottle at about $80, but in celebration of the recent win, a gift pack will be available on Redmart for $86 (RRP $99). It includes a bottle of Tanqueray Ten (700ml) and Fever Tree Indian Tonic water (500ml).
It’s also available at Cold Storage and Marketplace supermarkets, which makes it easy to get our grubby fingers on a bottle anytime.
