Tanqueray Malacca Gin is more well known for its absence from the market than anything else. Originally released in 1997 as a lighter, easier style companion to the iconic Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Tanqueray Malacca Gin was pulled from the market around 2001. For most spirits, being discontinued would be the end of the story, but for Tanqueray Malacca it’s really the beginning.
In 2007, Cocktail historian David Wondrich referred to long discontinued Tanqueray Malacca in his landmark book Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to “Professor” Jerry Thomas as a stand in for Old Tom Gin in the cocktail The Turf Club:
Tanqueray Malacca Gin (40% / 80 Proof, price ~$28) may be a mythical spirit, but in the glass it’s very real. From the nose it’s clear that Malacca is in an entirely different class of gin than Tanqueray London Dry. Whereas Tanqueray London Dry clearly leads with juniper, Malacca dials the juniper way back to harmonize with the citrus. Malacca also adds grapefruit to the citrus in the mix making the nose more fruity than herbal. The entry for Tanqueray Malacca is considerably softer and less astringent than Tanqueray London Dry, partly due to its lower proof (Tanqueray London Dry is 94.6 Proof / 47.3% ABV while Malacca is 80 proof / 40%) but it’s also a result of the solid differences in the botanical levels. Citrus, rather than juniper, leads the entry with a slow and easy build to the spice in the midpalate. As we get to the spicy mid palate, juniper is definitely there but spicy cinnamon is also definitely a costar. There’s a hint of clove that comes in towards the end of the midpalate and that clove helps lead a long, spicy finish with the slightest bit of sweet citrus underneath.
In 2007, Cocktail historian David Wondrich referred to long discontinued Tanqueray Malacca in his landmark book Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to “Professor” Jerry Thomas as a stand in for Old Tom Gin in the cocktail The Turf Club:
Tanqueray Malacca Gin (40% / 80 Proof, price ~$28) may be a mythical spirit, but in the glass it’s very real. From the nose it’s clear that Malacca is in an entirely different class of gin than Tanqueray London Dry. Whereas Tanqueray London Dry clearly leads with juniper, Malacca dials the juniper way back to harmonize with the citrus. Malacca also adds grapefruit to the citrus in the mix making the nose more fruity than herbal. The entry for Tanqueray Malacca is considerably softer and less astringent than Tanqueray London Dry, partly due to its lower proof (Tanqueray London Dry is 94.6 Proof / 47.3% ABV while Malacca is 80 proof / 40%) but it’s also a result of the solid differences in the botanical levels. Citrus, rather than juniper, leads the entry with a slow and easy build to the spice in the midpalate. As we get to the spicy mid palate, juniper is definitely there but spicy cinnamon is also definitely a costar. There’s a hint of clove that comes in towards the end of the midpalate and that clove helps lead a long, spicy finish with the slightest bit of sweet citrus underneath.