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Tanqueray (Tanqueray) is an English gin with a worldwide reputation. In 2016, the brand came out on top in terms of sales, ahead of Beefeater. The main sales market is the USA. The drink is produced at a Scottish plant in the village of Cameron Bridge by double distillation according to an 1830 recipe. The brand belongs to the British company Diageo.
Historical information
Company founder Charles Tankeray was born in 1810 in London. His father and grandfather were clerics, but the future winemaker decided to choose his own path and went to work with his brother at the Curries distillery to learn the intricacies of making gin. By the time he opened his business in 1835, the entrepreneur had collected a whole book of strong drink recipes with various proportions of ingredients.
Tanqueray was one of the first winemakers to produce London Dry Gin without added sugar. In 1832, the continuous distillation method was invented, which greatly improved the taste of neutral grain alcohol. Up to this point, fusel oils in alcohol were masked with a large amount of juniper and sugar syrup. The Tanqueray distillery produced gin based on four botanicals: juniper, angelica root, licorice and coriander.
By the end of the XNUMXth century, many hard liquor factories had opened in London. To survive in the face of fierce competition, the son of the founder, Charles Tanqueray, entered into an agreement to merge with the Gordon firm, resulting in the formation of Tanqueray Gordon & Company. The owners decided to promote the Gordon’s brand in the UK, and Tanqueray gin was destined to conquer the US market.
Sales growth continued even during Prohibition. Clear gin became one of the ingredients in cocktails created during the alcohol prohibition period. After the restrictions were lifted, the drink became even more popular. According to one legend, Tanqueray gin and tonic were drunk at the White House in 1933 at a celebration in honor of the end of Prohibition.
An air raid in 1941 almost completely destroyed the plant. Only one alembic survived – Old Tom. After the end of the Second World War, the buildings were rebuilt, and the equipment was restored and installed again. By 2000, the popularity of gin had declined somewhat, and the company launched Tanqueray No. Ten based on fresh citrus fruits, which returned interest to the brand. In 1995, the distillery moved to Fife, Scotland.
Production features
The Scottish plant at Cameron Bridge is considered one of the most advanced in the UK. Neutral grain alcohol is produced in the same place. The distillation cube Old Tom, which has become a kind of talisman of the company, continues its work at the enterprise. Plant components are added during the second distillation step. Gin is still made from Charles Tanqueray’s original recipe.
Awards
Gin Tanqueray received gold awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2017. In London, at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, the brand won silver awards every year from 2016 to 2018. The brand took first place in the competition “50 most popular bars in the world”, which was held by Drinks International in 2016.
Interesting Facts
The Old Tom alembic survived the bombing thanks to the heroism of the plant’s employees, who rushed to put out the fire immediately after the end of the air raid.
The unusually shaped bottle is based on the design of ready-made cocktails that the company produced in the 20s. Drinks were poured into dishes resembling a shaker.
Types of Gin Tanqueray
Tanqueray London Dry Gin, 47,3%
Clear gin with juniper and citrus aromas. The taste is soft and harmonious, lemon peel, needles and coriander are felt. The finish is dry and rich, with pronounced spicy notes. Ideal serving – with tonic, ice and a slice of lemon.
Tanqueray № Ten, 47,3%
Gin with a fresh aroma of citrus fruits won a place of honor in the hall of fame at a competition in San Francisco. Lemon, grapefruit, orange and lime are felt on the palate, which are joined by hints of juniper and chamomile flowers. Recommended for use with a quality tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit.
