527722 Tue Jun 10 13:54:55 -0700 2008 19 36 Spirits 0 3767742 I would appreciate it if someone could give me recommendations*, contrasts and comparisons (e.g. tasting notes) regarding Bombay Sapphire (which I have tried and enjoyed), Tanqueray and Beefeater. *Which do you recommend: in general / all around in a martini in a Gin and Tonic (and yes I have seen the articles in various newspapers like the NY times etc... I'd like to hear what "real people" recommend after all its a matter of taste...so every one has to decide for themselves) Thanks Tue Jun 10 13:54:55 -0700 2008 178360 Faune 1 3768081 Beefeater's is a good low price gin that does fine in a GnT. Tanq is a middle of the road London gin that is also quite serviceable for all purposes. a slightly higher juniper quotient. Bomb sapphire has more other botanicals especially in the nose. Personally, I like Plymouth as my favorite all-around gin, but also like Hendricks(strong component of cucumber in the nose) Magellan(french gin with different multi-botanical flavors, and Junipero, american, made by Anchor, with, as its name would suggest, a strong bracing juniper flavor, which works well in martinis to my taste. Tue Jun 10 15:20:02 -0700 2008 3767742 106255 chazzerking 2 3769159 Thanks for the feedback. Out of the three: listed in the topic which would you choose and why? Tue Jun 10 22:47:37 -0700 2008 3768081 178360 Faune 3 3773480 I probably would go with the Bombay, for the botanicals, especially for maritinis, but it's a close call between it and the Tanq. But you need to comparison test for yourself as zin suggests and decide which you like best. Thu Jun 12 07:09:03 -0700 2008 3769159 106255 chazzerking 1 3769165 Bombay Sapphire hands down..the infused herbal aromatics are what makes this fab gin and I always have a big bottle in the freezer and I only serve it as a gin and tonic with the good juicy Mexican Limes with lots of crushed ice.. I think its the juniper berries that make it so bloody good! Dang, makes me want to make one at this hour.. Tue Jun 10 22:55:29 -0700 2008 3767742 97452 Beach Chick 2 3773137 I had this in a martini on valentines day and was very surprised. I like gin martinis (More of a vodka martini person) but this was the best one I'd ever had. It tasted so much like juniper berry. No "Alcoholy) taste. A hint of vermooth and some olive in there. It was just perfect. I wasted no time in adding a bottle to my liquor cabinet. DT Thu Jun 12 05:17:56 -0700 2008 3769165 11291 Davwud 2 3773468 I have to quibble with your practice of keeping gin in the freezer. Vodka;fine, Gin; nay,nay. Freezing kills the botanical scents that make gin taste like gin. I'm all for cold, cold martinis, but not made with frozen gin. Thu Jun 12 07:05:17 -0700 2008 3769165 106255 chazzerking 1 3769482 Out of the 3 that you acknowledge, I like Tanqueray the best. It is a good, true gin and I think it makes a great G&T. If I am allowed to choose from outside of your realm, Martin Miller's Gin is my hands down favorite. MMG makes for a great G&T (try with Fever-Tree tonic water), but even better is MMG chilled up with a twist. Yum! Wed Jun 11 05:49:58 -0700 2008 3767742 184159 tmcghee 1 3770803 Faune, May I make a suggestion? Go to a bar with some friends and order G&Ts -- one each with Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Saphire, and whatever else you want to try. (Or you can pick up 50ml bottles of each and try it at home). Then, try it again -- probably another night -- with each in a Martini, etc., etc., etc. My guess is that you will prefer one brand for a G&T, but a different brand in a Martini, and so on. That's the only way to really know what YOU prefer -- taste them side-by-side. Having said all that, I generally prefer Plymouth or Boodle's, but if I'm in a bar with only the "basics," then it's usually Tanqueray if I'm ordering a G&T; Bombay or Bombay Saphire if I'm ordering a Martini. Wed Jun 11 11:38:47 -0700 2008 3767742 28122 zin1953 2 3811443 started out as a Tanqueray drinker, switched to Bombay but like Boodle's although would still vote for Bombay and there is some in the freezer at all times. am thinking I like your idea of a tasting. Tue Jun 24 22:48:24 -0700 2008 3770803 31795 ibstatguy 1 3770982 I'm a Boodle's gal but I think zin's suggestions are spot on. Wed Jun 11 12:27:08 -0700 2008 3767742 199859 Condiment Queen 1 3771766 I have to admit as a regular gin drinker I haven't developed a real preference yet. If you want to save some money I think Gordon's or Seagram's taste just fine as regular "go to" brands for making gin and tonics at home. At a bar I'll order Plymouth, Beefeater or Bombay in a martini. Most gin and tonics made at bars taste cloying to me because the tonic water is usually too sweet. Schwepps seems to be the dryest I've had so far, so that's what I use at home. Wed Jun 11 15:45:29 -0700 2008 3767742 14412 wontonton 2 3800310 wontonton: I'm with you on the Schweppes/sugar content issue - have you had trouble finding it lately? there's only a handful of places I can, 2 grocers (out of 6) and 1 liquor store (out of 7) in a 15 block radius and even then it's iffy. Sat Jun 21 09:47:00 -0700 2008 3771766 163722 hill food 3 3809089 I've noticed it's not easy to get at your random convenience store, but it's usually easy to find at the grocery stores I go to. Tue Jun 24 10:41:54 -0700 2008 3800310 14412 wontonton 4 3812428 all we get around here (mostly) is Canada Dry. ok, but not my fave. the grocers that sometimes have it are a good 8 block+ walk each way. what is it with buyers? if something is chronically flying off the shelf and out of stock, one would think that might change purchasing patterns. back on topic: Sapphire is just too floral (for me) the rest of you, enjoy!. Wed Jun 25 10:44:25 -0700 2008 3809089 163722 hill food 1 3772668 Favorite all around- Plymouth Martini - Plymouth Neat - Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic - Boodles Cleaning the grunge out of grout - Tanqueray. It tastes lik Pine- Sol and cleans just as well. Wed Jun 11 20:51:30 -0700 2008 3767742 22801 bkhuna 1 3773125 I have already tried Bombay and Bombay Sapphire, both of which I love. I have been hearing such incredible things about Plymouth Gin, though, I had never seen Plymouth Gin around where I live, so I did not inquire about it. Ask and ye shall receive? well not exactly: Today I found Plymouth Gin and figured that I'd go for it, it was reasonably priced @ $16. I guess they dont know what they have, I have heard that Plymouth costs twice that in certain places. BTW it was the last bottle in the store. It was the older bottle with the mayflower on it, the store clerk didn't even know she had it. I saw it behind the Beefeater. Well I hope it tastes as good as everyone here has been raving about it. I also bought some individual bottles of Schweppes Tonic water, I hope Plymouth is as good in a G&T as it is supposed to be in a Martini. Thank you all for your advice. Thu Jun 12 05:09:22 -0700 2008 3767742 178360 Faune 2 3774390 I know you have already made your choice, but I would only add one note the others who are still reading... For any drink that contains a non-lime citrus component or a liqueur like Campari or Aperol, go with the Beefeater. It is the only gin that I know of that has a distinct orange flavor because they use orange peels as one of the botanicals. For example, Beefeater is great drinks like the Negroni and the Pegu Club. Thu Jun 12 11:07:23 -0700 2008 3773125 181581 Hobsons Choice 3 3780766 Orange peels are used in quite a few gins and many have orange tones. The one with the most orange presence to it is Bluecoat, made in PA. An excellent gin. Sat Jun 14 14:18:02 -0700 2008 3774390 10732 JMF 1 3779649 I am a tanq and plymouth fan. tanqueray in g+t and plymouth on the rocks or with a dash of bitter. Plymouth was a revelation when I tried it. the juniper without the high alcohol of tanq. Not overly smooth like Bombay sapphire Fri Jun 13 22:01:16 -0700 2008 3767742 13330 quazi