No. 10 is Tanqueray’s foray into the super-premium gin market.  Launched in 2000, its target market is directly into your martini glass.  The majority of Tanqueray is actually produced in Cameronbridge, Scotland, despite its London Dry Gin label.  The phrase “London Dry Gin” actually refers to the distillation process.  Now, all of the No. 10 product is produced in Great Britain by the “Tiny Ten” still, which is from where No. 10’s name is derived.  Honestly, I figured the name was a result of the master distiller’s first taste when he may have exclaimed “I’d give it a 10.”  As far as gins go, this one is as close to a 10 as I have experienced.

     Way back in 1941, the Nazis nearly ruined Tanqueray No. 10 before it even existed.   During their attempt to conquer England, they managed to bomb the Tanqueray distillery.  Only one still survived intact, No. 4, also known as “Old Tom.”  So what exactly does that little bit of history have to do with your life and your gin?  Well, while this gin starts its production life in still No. 10, it is finished with another round in the larger No. 4.  So with without Old Tom, we may have had to endure a world without this fine gin.  Damn Nazis.

     It takes more that just stills with catchy names to make No. 10 taste fantastic.  It is currently the only gin in the world to be distilled with hand-picked, fresh fruit botanicals.  They start with Florida oranges, then use Mexican limes and grapefruits for the first distillation.  Later, the traditional botanicals such as juniper and coriander are added to give it that piney taste.  The taste, oh the taste!  On the rocks, the piney flavor hits your tongue first, but it is not as overpowering as other more traditionally-flavored gins.  As you swallow, the juniper fades into the citrus and the grapefruit is very apparent in the lingering finish.  This is definitely not a dry gin as it is considerably sweeter than Tanqueray’s classic offering.  However, as good as No. 10 is when consumed on the rocks, I personally do not think it is as smooth as the Rangpur we have previously tasted.  I am sure this is in no small part due to the 94.6-proof stamped on the bottle.  When you mix No. 10 with tonic, the sweetness caries through, and the botanicals stubbornly refuse to be diluted.  The result is a cocktail that is just simply delicious.  This gin is targeted at martini drinkers, but no one on the BoozeBasher staff is nearly refined enough to actually enjoy drinking gin martinis often.  So we will leave it up to our readers to let us know how it does in that regard.

     After consuming a number of 10 and tonics I had a light buzz, but not nearly what I was expecting from a liquor with a 90+ proof.  The good news is that I felt great the next morning, not even having a hint of a hangover.  To get your hands on a bottle of this low-production gin it will cost you about $35.  It is definitely a good choice for gin drinkers who enjoy a little more than just a piney flavor in their gin drinks.  Traditional gin drinkers might turn their nose at No. 10 because of the added citrus botanicals, but I feel that Tanqueray has done a great job adding subtle flavors that really compliment the juniper. Also check out our review of Tanqueray Rangpur.

Sipability - 7.5

Mixability - 7.0

Drunkability - 7.0

Hangover-ability - 9.0

Bang for the Buck - 7.0

Overall - 7.5 

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     Hendrick’s Gin is a small batch gin produced in Ayrshire, Scotland and is distilled from a proprietary recipe.  Hendrick’s Gin is infused with the traditional juniper, coriander, and citrus peel flavors you may expect to find in gin, but Hendrick’s also infuses a couple unexpected botanicals.  The unexpected infused flavor comes from cucumber and rose petals, giving the gin a truly iconoclastic taste.  The cucumber and rose petal infusion gives this gin a truly different and unique flavor.

     I discovered this gin at a wonderful bar in Atlanta for which I may or may not write a feature article.  I was raving about Tanqueray Rangpur, and the bartender suggested I try this stuff.  It really surprised me.  I could almost immediately taste the cucumber and rose petal flavor.  It was like no gin I had ever consumed.  The unique taste pleased my already intoxicated palate.  Hendrick’s Gin is pretty tasty when sober, but this stuff shines when you have already been drinking.  The extra bit of infused flavor is a delicious melody to a drunken man’s palate.  It’s the perfect gin to drink for my preferred time at the end of a long night of drinking or when you notice the room is spinning and need a special beverage to sip the room stationary once more.   

     Hendrick’s Gin is pretty smooth to sip straight, but behold its glory with a splash of tonic water!  The taste of Hendrick’s Gin is definitely one for the gin drinker.  You definitely catch a rush of piney flavor to go along with the wonderfly unique taste, so if you really don’t like the tradition gin taste, don’t bother trying this stuff.  If you are accustomed to the flavor of gin, Hendrick’s opens the door to a bright and cheery summer’s day of flavor. 

     Simply put, this gin will get you DRUNK.  I have never consumed another gin that even came close to the drunkability of Hendrick’s Gin.  After a single drink, I could definitely feel the onset of a buzz.  After the third drink, I was drunk.  The fourth, well, got me really tanked.  I have never had a gin get to me the way this stuff did.  I’m not sure if it was the rose petals, cucumber, or something else magical in this stuff that made me that way, but I am very grateful.  The buzz from this stuff was unusually sloppy for a gin and even heavy.  I felt like I had just been smacked around a bit after eating at a delicious buffet.  I’m not sure what others will think of the buzz Hendrick’s brings, but I found it to be fantastic.

     If there is a downer to this gin, it would have to be the hangover it produces the next day.  I was somewhat surprised at both the seriousness and the longevity of the groggy, hungover feeling.  I was greeted in the morning with a moderate headache that faded quickly, but I felt pretty drained most of the following day.  I also had a very unpleasant taste in my mouth even after brushing my teeth and eating a couple times.  I never expect this kind of hangover from drinking gin since I always mix it with tonic water.  I guess all the wonderfully flavorful infusions brought the ugly hangover fairy the next day.

     At around $30 for a 750ml bottle, the price may be a little steep for the casual gin drinker, but I recommend at least sampling it.  I would recommend Tanqueray Rangpur for the drinker that usually doesn’t enjoy the taste of gin.  Gin drinkers out there rejoice!  Buy a bottle of Hendrick’s Gin or ask for it at your local watering hole; you may be crawling out the door.  If you fancy yourself a gin drinker and enjoy a good, flavorful gin, Hendrick’s Gin is a must-buy.

Sipability - 6.0

Mixability - 7.0

Drunkability - 8.0

Hangover-ability - 6.0

Bang for the Buck - 5.5

Overall - 7.0 

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      If you were sent to prison, Gilbey’s gin would be your pine tree cell mate that won’t stop bugging you for smokes, telling what he’s going to do when he gets out, and talking about how he has a girl waiting for him on the “outside.”  You just want to forget about him.  And he just wants to keep reminding you of why you ever hated him so much in the first place.

     I have no idea of this gin’s fine history or what kind of devil’s magic is used to make it, but I’m just going to go ahead and throw this out there: this gin is barely drinkable. I have to give it credit though … this is the only liquor I have ever had in my life where the taste actually got worse after I swallowed it.  It was really horrible to take.  And somehow the taste seemed to actually become stronger; burning dirt and pine tree flavor filled my throat.  Don’t think mixing it will help.  It won’t.  If Gilbey’s is dirt, mixing it with any liquid would just transform it to mud.  And mud is just dirt that’s easier to swallow. The only thing I recommend mixing this gin with is whatever is at the bottom of the kitchen drain.  And that is sad, really sad.  I guess nothing can hide ugly.

     Trying to get drunk off this gin is hard.  Not because it is weak or anything like that; it is just really hard to drink.  The best I could manage was a light buzz.  Needless to say, I received no hangover, but each taste came with that same amount of pain as a hangover.  If I did get a hangover, this would be the most rude and unfair liquor ever.  But carrying a $13 price tag, what can you really expect?

     This gin really hurt me because I love all liquors.  With that said, I’m ready to make Gilbey’s the red headed step child of my sweet liquor dream family.  If you only have a few dollars and want to get drunk off some gin, just save your money.  Go buy some Sunny D© instead.  It’s packed with vitamin C and good for you.  Do not buy Gilbey’s gin!  Maybe someday they will raise the price a couple of dollars and make something people can actually drink.

Sipability - 2.5

Mixability - 3.0

Drunkability - 4.0

Hangover-ability - 6.0

Bang for the Buck - 7.5

Chick-appeal -1.0

Overall - 4.0

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