So, there I was, standing in a friend’s kitchen, trying to look like I knew what I was doing. He handed me a glass with a lime wedge and said, “Try this—it’s the good stuff.” I took a sip, nodded sagely, and immediately had no idea what I was tasting. Turns out, it was Tanqueray London Dry, just the standard green bottle. But his smirk told me he was holding out on me—he had a clear bottle of Tanqueray 10 hiding in the freezer.
That’s when the war began. Not a real war, obviously—a debate between two very similar, yet secretly different gins.
You’ve probably seen both bottles. The classic green one—that’s Tanqueray London Dry, the workhorse of cocktail bars everywhere. Then there’s the sexy, clear bottle with the silver label—Tanqueray 10, the premium upgrade that demands you notice it.
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But here’s the thing: they’re both made by the same distillery. Same genes, different personality. Like that one friend who always shows up in a t-shirt while his twin brother wears a blazer. Let’s break down who does what better, shall we?
What’s actually inside the bottle?
Tanqueray London Dry is the OG. It’s a classic gin with four core botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, and licorice. That’s it. Simple, bold, and smack-you-in-the-face with piney juniper goodness.
Tanqueray 10, on the other hand, is a crafty showoff. It adds fresh citrus—whole grapefruit, lime, and orange—plus chamomile flowers. The “10” in the name? It’s distilled in a tiny copper pot still called “Tiny Ten”. Fancy, right?
The result is a gin that’s smoother and brighter. Think of standard Tanqueray as a black coffee and Tanqueray 10 as a latte with a hint of zest. Both wake you up, but one makes you feel a bit more refined.
And what about the price?
Let’s be real—price matters when you’re staring at a liquor store shelf with a week’s budget. Standard Tanqueray is usually $5 to $10 cheaper for a 750ml bottle. It’s the reliable friend who never asks for gas money.
Tanqueray vs Tanqueray No. Ten Gin Review // Gin Taste Test - YouTube
Tanqueray 10 costs more because it’s “small-batch” and uses better botanicals. You’re paying for that citrus complexity and the smooth finish. Is it worth it? Depends on whether you plan to sip it neat or mix it in a cocktail where half the flavor gets drowned.
Pro tip: If you’re mixing a G&T with cheap tonic, do not waste Tanqueray 10 in there. Save it for a dirty martini or a Negroni where you can actually taste the gin.
So, how do they taste in a drink?
I did a blind taste test with a few friends. Yes, for science. We made a classic Gin & Tonic with each. The standard Tanqueray? Punchy. It cut through the tonic like a boss, all juniper and spice. One friend said it tasted “like a Christmas tree had a baby with a cucumber.” (I’m still not sure what that means.)
The Tanquerary 10 version was subtler, floral, and almost sweet. The citrus came through first, then the chamomile, and the juniper was hiding in the background. Another friend called it “softer, like gin that went to therapy.” See? People get weird with descriptions.
For a Martini, though? Tanqueray 10 wins hands down. Stirred with dry vermouth, it’s silky and delicate—exactly what you want when you’re trying to feel like James Bond but you’re just at home in sweatpants.
Tanqueray vs Tanqueray 10: Which Gin Takes the Crown in this Ultimate
Which one should you buy?
Here’s the honest answer, and I’m not trying to sound like a snob: It depends on your mood and your wallet.
If you’re making a big batch of cocktails for a party, or you just want a solid, reliable gin that won’t break the bank, grab the green bottle. It’s a legend for a reason. Every bartender worth their salt has a bottle of standard Tanqueray behind the bar.
If you’re sipping it neat, or you’re making a very specific drink where the gin’s flavor is the star—like a gin sour or a Martinez—go for the Tanqueray 10. You’ll notice the difference. So will your taste buds.
A final note: the snob factor
Let’s be honest, there’s a tiny part of our brains that loves the status symbol of Tanqueray 10. It looks more expensive on your shelf. It’s the gin you offer guests when you want to impress them without saying, “I’m trying to impress you.”
Standard Tanqueray? That’s the gin you offer people when you actually want them to stay for more than one drink. No judgment here—both are incredible gins. It’s just a matter of occasion.
So next time you’re at the liquor store, ask yourself: Am I feeling fancy or friendly? Either way, you’re winning.