Gin: Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray and Beefeater?

[Faune]

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

[ginreviews]

Depends on your Perception. What do you equate the best to, as you already know what the NY times said. What qualities are important to you in a spirit?

[ginreviews]

I would replace Bombay Sapphire with Citadelle, and Tangueray with Cascade Mountain Gin
I would keep Beefeater.
So the list should look like

*Beefeater
*Cascade Mountain
*Citadelle

[Rocketj100]

Tanqueray Ten makes a great Martini, G&T or Bloody Mary.

Beefeater Wet is also good, it might be closing out at BevMo and I bought a case for a song!

[Pzz]

As it's fairly assertive, I prefer Beefeater's in a G&T or other mixed drink. For a "budget" gin, I'd pick Booth's, although it's mild enough to border on being a vodka and, as such, is a good starter gin for newbies. In a martini I prefer Bombay Sapphire, but have also greatly enjoyed Boodles and Citadelle (French). And the best gin is wasted in a martini unless you use a better grade of vermouth like Noilly Prat. The olives matter, too. Try to avoid the mediocre supermarket olives and try one of Santa Barbara Olive Co.'s offerings - especially the jalapeno-stuffed version.

[CastOff]

Beefeater for anything mixed, like a Salty Dog or a G/T. The flavor of Beefeater is intense enough to get through and be "ginny". Regarding Martinis, i prefer Bombay original 86 proof. It doesn't hammer as much as Safire, so you can enjoy more and for longer. In general, i think 86 proofing in any spirit is the perfect strength. Vodka is for pussies, GIN is for men!

[tomjb27]

I find Beefeater to be one of the great value spirits. A Beefeater martini is a cocktail of unassailably high quality, perhaps only ordinary in the sense that its profile helped define the drink for so many people. Spending a few bucks extra on a good vermouth, like Noilly, and taking a possibly obsessive interest in making it just right probably help as well. It's spikey enough to handle the vermouth too, so need to hold back. I like it plenty for other cocktails and agree it makes a nice gin and tonics. One can buy a 1.75 of Beefeater on sale for under $30, which is a remarkable buy for the quality. While I order martinis with other gins at bars, I find Beefeater to be such a workhorse that I rarely find myself buying premium gins for home.

[arverni]

Wow. I tried this site to get an idea of gins (aside from my usual Beefeaters) and learned that it's all a matter of individual taste! So many contradictions. I was curious about the comments on New Amsterdam; I don't know Dutch gins but this sure ain't London dry -- sweet and spices is what I taste (although the "aroma" is pure alcohol). Terrible for martinis. I had some Bombay when I was in France and it was blah. I think it was Tanqueray that I actually disliked but ... that's one of the things I was hoping to glean from other people's comments. I've never tasted Plymouth and was really getting geared up to try it then I came on all the negatives. Guess I'm back to not knowing what to try. Beefeater's is my martini gin; to my taste it's too mild for G&T. (My G&T gin was Booth's, back when it didn't taste sweet and cinnamon.) For something cheaper I'm satisfied with Burnett's, which tastes good in a martini but certainly isn't epicurean.

[invinotheresverde]

Interesting. I've never seen anyone with anything bad to say about Plymouth.

[c oliver]

Nor have I. Maybe arverni will share some citations.

[zin1953]

+3

[zin1953]

>>> . . . and learned that it's all a matter of individual taste! <<<

What were you expecting?

[EvergreenDan]

You might find this interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Gin

It is sweeter than a London Dry. Perhaps you can find some nips of some contenders to try.

--
www.kindredcocktails.com | Craft + Collect + Concoct + Categorize + Community

[JMF]

New Amsterdam isn't a Dutch gin. It is a slightly sweet version of a western dry gin. It still lands under the dry category. An Old Tom gin would be a sweet gin, and much sweeter than New Amsterdam, which is a mediocre contract distilled gin, that has nothing to do with Amsterdam old or new.

[nmatavka]

Hendrick's is great, so is Boodle's, Bombay Sapph, and Plymouth. Tanq and Gordon's are so-so. Beefeater is way too dry. I'd never, ever drink Tanq Ten, it feels like slop in the mouth (too much glycerine).

[tanker64]

I agree with everything you said except about Hendrick's. Its like drinking perfume. Way to floral and I like cucumber in my salad, not my drink (with the one exception being a Pimm's Cup). It's terrible. I wont allow it in the house.
Sapphire and Plymouth produce great Martini's and Sapphire is my go to Gin for G&T. Boodles works exceptionally well in either. Tanq I can take or leave; Tanq 10 is for wankers....

[raider]

tanker, i was with you till the end there -- why is tanq 10 "for wankers"? (and, for those of us who are not brits, what is a "wanker"?)

[Jerri1031]

Bombay Sapphire Dry Martini is the perfect beverage --- make sure the bartender stirs the gin, vermouth and rocks and definitely does not shake the hell-out-of-it! I always go for the olive but you may want to try a twist instead of the olive. Enjoy,......and thank God for this little piece of heaven on earth;

[Peaches to Poutine]

Ah, gin. How I love it. Either in martinis or G&Ts (the perfect summertime drink as far as I'm concerned).

I do love the Bombay Sapphire but mostly as a martini. Tanq is a good standard gin to have around; I like to think of it and Beefeater as party gins. You throw a shindig, someone is gonna want gin, but at least you don't have to waste the good stuff on large crowds.

Hendrick's has become my new go-to gin, though. I take cues regarding its use from a friend of mine in London. No citrus, but cucumber in the G&Ts. It has worked so far. It also makes a darn good version of a Bloody Mary, too. Another gin I love to recommend but don't is Victoria Gin, out of British Columbia. The reason I say don't is because it's very very very hard to find. I live in Quebec (an American expat) and I have had to drive to Ontario to procure some. It's only available in BC, Ontario and I think Washington state. This is too bad as it is a perfect small batch gin. It's floral, just the right kind of soft and wonderfully aromatic. It made a wonderful G&T, it made a gorgeous martini. It's just frustrating not to be able to get ahold of it on a regular basis!

[sakeandgin]

New Amsterdam gin a division of E.&J. Gallo Winery

[hawkeyeui93]

My wife brought me home a bottle of Victoria Artesinal Gin when she was in British Columbia last week. It was in the low $30's at the duty free shop [and $60 in a Canadian liquor store]. Although I am two drinks into the bottle, I am very much enjoying the balance of the botanicals. One thing I further enjoy about it is that the floral doesn't come as pronounced as Hendricks.

[kinnickinnik]

So glad to read that you found it to your liking! I hope you enjoy their hemp vodka too, so very smooth as well.
In your BC board post http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7921...
you mentioned liking it in a Gin Buck. May I ask what ginger ale you use?
I'll have go give that a try as I can see ginger being quite compatible with the flavor profile of Victoria gin (citrus, floral, spice).
Good to know it's on hand in the duty free (was that at the border or airport?) for out of country gifts (you saw the painful markups we endure here :-( )

[Steve_K]

For an all round gin, Tanqueray Ten

For a Martini, Distillery No. 209 or Leopold's

For a G&T, Leopold's, Martin Miller's or Seagram's.

[sourcandy]

Why are we only choosing from 3 boring gins? If you can find yourself a bottle of CapRock do yourself a favor and make lots of martinis out of it. Delightful.

New Amsterdam is nice in G&Ts. It has some great citrus notes and not too much juniper.

[tanker64]

New Amsterdam is an excellent "daily" gin.

[hill food]

by the name I would assume New A is a 'Dutch' Gin, usu. milder in flavor and lower in proof.

[TroyTempest]

new amsterdam is New York
It is from the states

[JMF]

New Amsterdam is a dry style gin. It is either a contract gin and made by the big guys. Definitely not made in NY State.

[JMF]

Dutch gins / Genever are the opposite of what you say. They are malt based, and have a much heavier and deeper flavor of malt, plus botanicals.

[EvergreenDan]

Boy, their website sure isn't encouraging -- flash, unasked for sound, and unpromising recipes. 80 proof.

Can you contrast it to, say, Sapphire or Tanqueray?

[dbaublis]

Tanq - and Tonic
Beefeater - Martini - up, extra dry, olives
Sapphire (aka Windex) - on the rocks with a large squeeze of lime.

[nickybirds]

Having tried Beefeater and tonic for ages, i must say that i like bombay saphire and lemon on rocks.So refreshing or should i say wasted.

[shaogo]

I drink gin perhaps 4-5 times a year.

When I do, it's usually Tanqueray; either with tonic, soda or in a very dry martini.

Whenever I'm drinking gin, I'm also eating half-shell oysters and a very rare steak. It's a taste combination that takes me back to a culinary peak experience many years ago.

Beefeater's is what we serve in our restaurant as "well pour." It makes a refreshing gin and tonic and a classic martini. Bombay Sapphire is a very good gin, but I think it's botanical flavors are a bit too understated for me.

[scoob]

I'm no gin expert, but I have noticed that G&Ts taste better with tonic that has natural sugar, as opposed to high-fructose corn syrup. The only place in my area I could find natural tonic water was at Whole Foods-- their house brand "365".

[TroyTempest]

i think the Schweppes Indian tonic has natural sugar, but i can only find as an import, so it is pretty expensive.

[ericalloyd]

g&ts are wonderful with q tonic water ... it's not too sweet ... made with agave nectar ...

[TroyTempest]

Fever Tree might also have natural sugar. It should for what it costs.

[Wahooty]

It does, and it is delicious. You do get what you pay for, in this case.

[ibstatguy]

read this article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

[quazi]

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

[venividibitchy]

I'm glad to see that I am not the only person who finds Bombay Sapphire to be too smooth and muted. Not that I'd complain if I had to drink it (I've never actually encountered a bad gin), but it does get lost if it's being mixed with anything. It's gin for those who don't like gin.

My two favorite gins so far are as follows:
Seagram's Extra-Dry (For mixed drinks -- juice or soda)
New Amsterdam No. 485 (For sipping neat)

I've had Tanqueray (not 10) once, but didn't really find anything unusually spectacular about it.

[Faune]

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.

[Hobsons Choice]

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.

[JMF]

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.

[JohnE O]

Just tried Blue Coat. It's so potent with botanicals it makes Bombay Sapphire taste like vodka. I liked it, but wouldn't drink it more than once in a while.

[venividibitchy]

How would you compare Bluecoat to Seagram's, botanically? More citrus, but of similar intensity?

[JMF]

Seagrams is much lighter citrus.

[one.day.fly]

Hi, Faune

Can you please tell me how Plymouth Gin was like for you?
For as far as I know, it's increased in price or simply more expensive here (The Netherlands). Plymouth goes for + - € 25,=/€ 33,= for 750 ml.
So, I'd rather have someone else's opinion than buying it with disappointment as a result.(",)

To answer to your topic:
Havn't tried those gins yet but I heard from friends that Tanqueray Ten is good for G&T / T&T
and
Bombay Sapphire is good for Martinis.
Tomorrow I'm going to buy both:P

Thanks in advance

one day fly

[Faune]

Hey one.day.fly,

I had a good experience with Plymouth gin and would definitely buy it again (by me, despite the price hike, its still cheaper than the "other brands")

It is different than London Dry Gin, I'd say it doesn't feel as dry, its "sweeter" in my opinion. Plymouth's citrus notes are more prominent than its juniper as opposed to London Dry Gin.

I experimented with Plymouth in martinis, G & T, Negronis and numerous other cocktails and I must say that I was impressed and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Let us know what you think of Plymouth.

Cheers,

Faune

[JonParker]

Another vote for Plymouth. My favorite gin hands down. I wish they sold it in a 1.75 L bottle though.

[invinotheresverde]

Plymouth all the way, especially over Bombay Sapphire.

[Faune]

Me too! a 1.75 L bottle of Plymouth would be great.

[bkhuna]

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.

[BustedFlush]

A drinker of my own heart.

Plymouth or regular Bombay for Martinis
Boodles or Sapphire for Gin and Tonics

I think Beefeater (or Gilbey's, or Booth's) kicks the tar out of Tanqueray, but I'd drink Tanquaray all day long over Hendrick's. That stuff tastes like...grandma.

[wontonton]

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.

[hill food]

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.

[wontonton]

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.

[hill food]

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!.

[Condiment Queen]

I'm a Boodle's gal but I think zin's suggestions are spot on.

[zin1953]

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.

[ibstatguy]

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.

[tmcghee]

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!

[Beach Chick]

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..

[Davwud]

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

[chazzerking]

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.

[chazzerking]

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.

[Faune]

Thanks for the feedback. Out of the three: listed in the topic which would you choose and why?

[chazzerking]

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.

[c oliver]

Why are you limiting it to those three? I also have a strong preference for Plymouth.