The Gin Matrix – Tanqueray vs. Beefeater, Old vs. New

I was fortunate enough to get hold of old bottles of both Tanqueray and Beefeter gin. This cries for a cross comparison with the current bottlings, of course. Judging from the labels, the old Tanqueray was bottled the 1970s, the Beefeater is a bit older, probably from the late 1960s.

All gins were tasted neat at room temperature using nosing glasses.

1970s Tanqueray Gin

43%

My Tasting Notes:

Colour: Clear
Nose: Juniper, cloves, lemon zest, hints of rose water.
Palate: Juniper, vanilla, hints of lemon zest, cloves, hints of cardamom.
Finish: Long with aromatic spices.

Rating: 84/100

Current (2016) Tanqueray Gin

47.3%

My Tasting Notes:

Colour: Clear
Nose: Juniper, cloves, lemon zest, hints of rose water.
Palate: Juniper, vanilla, cloves, hints of lemon zest and wormwood.
Finish: Long and dry.

Rating: 83/100

Overall: Despite the lower bottling strength I like the old version a little bit better. It is rounder and I find the mix of aromatic spices more pleasant than the driness of the current Tanqueray. It has to be said that the two bottlings still are remarkably similar, the nose in particular is almost identical. The difference on the palate could be entirely a result of bottle ageing.

1960s Beefeater Gin

47%

My Tasting Notes:

Colour: Clear
Nose: Juniper, strong lemon zest, lime, bergamote, hints of cardamom.
Palate: Juniper, lemon zest, hints of orange, liquorice, hints of camphor, cardamom and coriander.
Finish: Long, fruity and slightly dry.
Rating: 87/100

Current (2016) Beefeater Gin

47%

My Tasting Notes:

Colour: Clear
Nose: Juniper, lemon zest, fresh apple, hints of vanilla and cardamom.
Palate: Juniper, vanilla, lemon zest, cardamom, coriander, hints of cloves.
Finish: Long, slightly fruity and rather sweet.

Rating: 82/100

Overall: Those two are indeed quite different but the common DNA is still noticeable. The old Beefeater is almost bursting with citrus aromas supported by aromatic spices and it wins the overall comparison hands down. Its modern counterpart appears almost dull in comparison even though it still is quite a decent gin.