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The Kitchn reports that seven staff tasters named Tanqueray London Dry Gin their favorite in a blind tasting of nine gins. The 750-milliliter bottle was listed at $21.99 at Total Wine when the review was published; the result reflects this panel’s preferences, not a broad consumer survey.
The Kitchn’s seven tasters chose Tanqueray London Dry Gin as their favorite among nine bottles in a blind tasting, describing it as smooth, floral and herbaceous. The review listed the 750-milliliter bottle at $21.99 at Total Wine when published, making the result a staff tasting recommendation rather than a market-wide ranking.
The tasting included nine gins priced from $18 to $40, selected by the publication based on popularity, availability and price. The team concealed the brands by labeling samples A through I, and participants tasted them in a random order. The review says seven gin fans who work in The Kitchn’s office took part and rated each sample on a five-point scale.
Tasters praised Tanqueray for its rounded flavor and said it could work in cocktails or on the rocks. Associate groceries editor Ali Domrongchai called it “the perfect bottle for a martini,” saying its full flavor suited a drink in which gin is prominent. The review identifies the bottle as 40% alcohol by volume.
Gordon’s London Dry Gin was the runner-up, with tasters citing vibrant, smooth and floral notes. Listed at $17.99 for a 1.75-liter bottle, it was the least expensive and largest bottle in the group, according to the review. Some tasters found it harsh, though most of the panel favored it. Other bottles drew more divided reactions: Boatyard Double Gin was described as strongly herbal, while opinions on Hendrick’s varied.
How The Tasting Picked A Favorite
The review offers shoppers a side-by-side comparison of familiar bottles using a blind tasting format, which can help separate brand recognition from tasters’ reactions to flavor. Its practical finding is that the panel preferred Tanqueray for a balance of smoothness and botanical character, while the lower-priced Gordon’s offered a larger bottle and a value alternative.
The result is useful as one editorial team’s recommendation, but it should not be read as a definitive ranking for all gin drinkers. Flavor preferences differ, and the panel was small. The tasting also highlights that a strong juniper or herbal profile may appeal to some drinkers and feel too forceful to others.
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Nine Bottles, One Blind Panel
Gin is commonly made by infusing a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals, though the styles and flavor profiles vary. The Kitchn says it selected bottles across a range of prices and availability, then asked its office tasters to sample them without knowing the brands.
For the test, Domrongchai poured quarter-ounce samples into small cups and assigned letter labels. Tasters received score sheets and water and potato chips to cleanse their palates between samples. The source material does not provide the complete scores or full results for all nine bottles, so the named favorites and honorable mentions are the clearest comparisons available.
““the perfect bottle for a martini””
— Ali Domrongchai, The Kitchn’s associate groceries editor
Limits Of The Panel’s Results
The available report does not include individual scores, the full ranking or detailed notes for every gin. It also does not say how the seven tasters’ ratings were combined to determine the winner, or whether the samples were served neat, chilled or prepared in another way beyond the listed small pours.
The prices are the figures reported by The Kitchn and were accurate at the time of publication, according to its disclosure; current prices and availability may differ. The review says the publication may earn a commission if readers buy through its links. Its tasting is an editorial exercise, not an independent laboratory assessment or a representative consumer survey.
Check Prices Before Buying
The Kitchn’s article directs readers to retailers for the listed bottles, but the source material gives no indication of a follow-up test or further review. Shoppers interested in the recommendation can compare current local prices and bottle sizes before buying; the published prices should be treated as time-specific.
For readers choosing between the two top picks, the reported trade-off is straightforward: Tanqueray was the panel’s favorite, while Gordon’s was less expensive per bottle and came in a larger size. Personal preference remains a factor, particularly for drinkers who prefer a lighter botanical taste or find strong herbal notes harsh.
Key Questions
Which gin won The Kitchn’s tasting?
Tanqueray London Dry Gin was the top pick among the nine bottles sampled by seven Kitchn staff tasters.
How much did the winning bottle cost?
The review listed a 750-milliliter bottle at $21.99 at Total Wine when the article was published. The price may have changed since then.
What did tasters like about Tanqueray?
Tasters described it as smooth, floral and herbaceous. The review also said its full flavor could suit a martini or other gin-forward cocktail.
Was Gordon’s also recommended?
Yes. Gordon’s London Dry Gin was the runner-up and was listed at $17.99 for a 1.75-liter bottle. Most tasters liked it, though some found it harsh.
How representative was the tasting?
The test involved seven office tasters, so it records that panel’s preferences rather than the views of a broad or representative group of gin drinkers. The source material does not provide the full score breakdown.
Source: thekitchn.com
