Gordon’s site:chickabouttown.com
If you would like to know what I have to say about Gordon’s gin on this site, click here. On that page, I take a closer look at Gordon’s Gin, including its flavor, its traditional juniper-led character, and how it works in a classic gin and tonic.
If Gordon’s site:chickabouttown.com is the phrase that brought you here, that article should give you a better idea of what I think about this familiar gin.
I also look at how Gordon’s compares with other well-known gins, including Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire.
So, if you searched for gordon’s site:chickabouttown.com because you want to find my thoughts on Gordon’s Gin, you can follow the link above to read the full article.
READ ALSO: Gordon’s Gin vs Bombay Sapphire & More
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READ ALSO: Gordon’s Gin vs Tanqueray & More
Highclere Gin vs Tangurrey
If you mean Highclere Castle Gin vs. Tanqueray London Dry Gin, they are both London Dry gins, but they give you quite different experiences.
Highclere Castle Gin is the more citrusy, floral and rounded of the two, while Tanqueray London Dry is more classic, juniper-forward, herbal and assertive.
Highclere Castle Gin
Highclere Castle Gin is a 43.5% ABV London Dry Gin associated with Highclere Castle, the estate famously used as the setting for Downton Abbey. Its botanical recipe includes juniper, orange and lemon zest, lavender, cardamom and herbs, along with oats grown on the estate.
The oats are intended to contribute to its particularly smooth finish.
The easiest way I would describe its character is:
- Juniper: present but not aggressive
- Citrus: quite noticeable
- Floral: lavender gives it a softer floral character
- Spice: cardamom adds some warmth
- Finish: smooth and rounded
- ABV: 43.5%
Highclere specifically lends itself to drinking on the rocks, where its softer character can come through, as well as to gin and tonics and cocktails.
The brand even promotes a simple serve with orange zest or rosemary.
Tanqueray London Dry
Tanqueray takes a more traditional approach. Its classic recipe is built around four principal botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica and liquorice.
It is quadruple distilled, and the resulting gin is strongly associated with piney juniper, peppery coriander, herbal notes and a floral finish.
Its character is more:
- Juniper: strong and unmistakable
- Citrus: present but secondary
- Herbal: pronounced
- Spice: coriander gives it some peppery warmth
- Sweetness: a subtle liquorice character
- Finish: crisp, dry and botanical
- ABV: commonly around 43% depending on market
Tanqueray is particularly good when you want the gin itself to announce that it is gin rather than having the botanical profile dominated by citrus or floral notes.
Highclere vs. Tanqueray at a glance
| Highclere Castle Gin | Tanqueray London Dry | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | London Dry | London Dry |
| ABV | 43.5% | Around 43% depending on market |
| Main impression | Smooth, citrusy, floral | Juniper-forward, herbal, spicy |
| Juniper | Moderate | Strong |
| Citrus | Stronger | Moderate |
| Floral notes | More noticeable | Subtler |
| Spice | Cardamom | Coriander |
| Best neat/on ice | Excellent | Good |
| Gin & tonic | Excellent | Excellent |
| Classic cocktails | Very good | Excellent |
| Overall personality | Softer and more rounded | Bolder and more traditional |
Which One Tastes “Better”?
That really depends on what you want from gin.
If you like the taste of juniper, I’d pick Tanqueray.
It has that unmistakable classic gin character, and its relatively straightforward botanical structure makes it very dependable in a G&T or cocktail.
Tanqueray itself describes its London Dry as having piney juniper, peppery coriander, aromatic angelica and sweet liquorice.
If you don’t particularly want a very juniper-heavy gin, I’d lean toward Highclere. The orange, lemon, lavender and cardamom give it a more layered, softer personality, while the 43.5% ABV and oats contribute to the fuller, smoother impression.
And There’s an Interesting Price-Position Difference
Highclere is positioned as a super-premium/premium gin, whereas Tanqueray London Dry occupies the more established premium London Dry category. Highclere’s estate story, garden botanicals and distinctive use of oats are a significant part of its identity.
So I wouldn’t really think of Highclere as simply “a better Tanqueray.” They are trying to do different things.
For a classic gin and tonic: Tanqueray.
For sipping over ice with an orange garnish: Highclere.
For cocktails where you want a strong gin backbone: Tanqueray.
For a smoother, more citrus-and-floral drinking experience: Highclere.
And if you’re comparing these because you’ve been looking at Gordon’s as well, the three make a particularly interesting comparison: Gordon’s is generally the straightforward, familiar everyday London Dry, Tanqueray gives you a stronger classic botanical profile, and Highclere moves further toward the smooth, citrusy and floral end.