Flavor Profile
Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin launched in 2006. At the time, it was a bit of a bold and unusual move. Signature botanicals gin were rare. Gins that higlighted unusual botanicals in their name were even rarer.
A Rangpur Lime isn’t really a lime. It’s known as a Canton lemon in some parts of the world— but it’s not a lemon either. It’s a hybrid of a mandarin orange and a citron. (Citrus × limonia). Its flesh is orange, the fruit highly acidic and the flavor is perhaps closer to a citron than any of the above. It’s used in place of a lime in some culinary applications because its high acidity; however, to summarize it’s best simply stated: a Rangpur Lime is truly its own thing.
Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin features the four signature botanicals of their Tanqueray London Dry Gin as a base. They then add three new ones: bay leaves, ginger and the aforementioned Rangpur Lime.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Lime dominates the fore— and although the rangpur is not a lime, the nose is decidedly lime-like. Juniper and a hint of traditional Tanqueray licorice and spice lie beneath. Quite nice.
Flavor: Slightly sweet in impression and quite citrus forward. The citrus is complex and could be described as having hints of lemon, tangerine and even grapefruit. Green juniper with slight pine facets comes in late. Hints of laurel, coriander and licorice round it out.
Finish: Only slightly dry with sour citrus remaining dominant, although above a spice-led accord that feels distinctively Tanqueray like.
Overall, there are moments that feel slightly traditional and call-to-mind Tanqueray; however, it is very citrus forward. One thing that is interesting though is how this gin’s position in the market has aged.
In 2006 it was bold— almost earth-shatteringly contemporary. People were shook. In the 2020’s however? It feels rather ordinary. It’s certainly citrus dominant, but nowhere near as much so as others on the market.
Cocktails
Bartenders would be advised to treat Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin as a specialty citrus-forward gin. Mixed, its citrus profile complements fresh citrus quite well. Try it in a Gimlet, Tom Collins or an Evans style Gin and Tonic.
That being said, I was less of a fan of it in heavy spirit forward drinks such as the Martini. There’s a certain harshness and heat that doesn’t work as well here as it does in longer drinks.
Overall
Despite being on the market for over fifteen years, Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin endures because the popularity of citrus-forward gins has remained high. Overall, while it loses marks for balance, it’s a solid mixing gin for fans of citrus-forward gin.
Even within its own product line, I think Tanqueray makes two better gins that feature strong citrus profiles. Tanqueray 10 is better balanced with more juniper and classic gin flavor profile. For unabashedly citrus-forward and flavored gin applications, I prefer their Sevilla Orange Gin.
This is delicious. Wonderful herbals. Not too strong. Makes a smooth Negroni .
i have a question
RANGPUR is a district of Bangladesh.
Is there any relationship ?
Amazing aroma. Super smooth with a beautiful refreshing citrus flavour . so smooth it could a liquor. just pour over ice and enjoy
bought this at duty free in malaga for a kindly 14 euros
and couldn’t wait to try it out
enjoyed it immensely and its smooth citrus taste makes it a real bargan.
It is not gin.
“cacophony of lemon” is the best way to describe this thing.
If you like gin, don’t drink that. It is worst than Malfy con limone.
As a citrus lover I grabbed this bottle the same evening as I read your brilliant review, Aaron. This gin tastes so good, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
Still considering my next bottle to be either Bluecoat or Tanqueray Malacca (if Im lucky enough to find one). What would you recommend?
P.S. Big ups for running this “one of a kind” blog, Aaron.
If you can find Malacca, I’d suggest picking it up as it’s limited edition- and stocks are probably getting somewhat low across the country. But as a lover of citrus gin, I highly suggest Bluecoat- I think you’ll quite like it.
Thanks! Cheers!
I loveRangpur but can’t find it in Elmont N.Y.
Thank you for your brilliant reviews! They have been indispensable when I’m standing in the gin aisle at Bevmo or Total Wine! This gin made a very interesting negroni and Martinez, I thought. Definitely a candied citrus dominance, but nice with sweet vermouth.
For Josephine Kornfielf: If you don’t mind a quick ride to Island Park, go to Pop’s. They have the Rangpur. Hard to find everywhere else.
This is a satisfying gin, especially in warm weather.
Part of its secret seems to be a subtle and clever use of ginger.
It’s my favorite for a summer time G&T or in a elderflower martini.
Allergic to citrus. Didn’t notice what I purchased. Wonder the% in the bottle. Love the flavor.
This was excellent added to a lavender lemonade for a weekend pool party/BBQ. Others used ginger ale, and of course it makes a good Collins. I’m hooked, don’t care what they call the taste, it’s good.
Very nice straight up, right out of the freezer.
Normally love tanquera but I found this a lot of nothing with my tonic. Perhaps my sense of taste has gone!
Just bought a bottle of Rangpur. It made the best Friday gimlet and went well with the Rose’s lime juice.
Fabulous gin. Why did they change the color of the bottle???
A good summer Gin. To replace the classic Tanqueray, once in awhile.
Before I really starting researching and experimenting with gin, I had an opportunity to taste this gin and I remember that it really made a positive impression on me. Now that I’ve experimented and tasted so many different gins (thanks in no small part to this site), I bought it again, and it’s very distasteful to me. It just tastes like a sweet mess to me. I still have 3/4 of a bottle, and find a way to mix a little of it with other gins. But it’s hard to drink now.
I’m a tonic lover and treated myself to some Fever Tree to pair with this marvelous herbal medley. I love Tanqueray in all its manifestations and purchased the Rangpur to celebrate something. After the first burst of exquisite citrus, the Angelica root came down on me like a hammer, but, not in a bad way. I’m a fan of Chinese medicinal herbal remedies. In Chinese medicine, Angelica root is called Danggui, which appears frequently in herbal concoctions for women. I recognized it immediately. To me, this gin reminds me that gin was originally created by the Dutch to be an herbal tonic with healing properties. Loving it this balmy night by a Texas lake while watching the sunset fade from pink to lavender. Feeling healed already.
The first gin I enjoyed over the rocks was Bella Gin from dayton Ohio. Found this gin and have been very impressed by the flavors. Over all I give it a 8.5/10 for drinking Gin on the rocks.
Bought this gin and first tried in neat. Interesting, very soft and smooth. Next I went to make my usual dry martini, but I was out of dry vermouth, so I made an original martini with sweet vermouth and olives, no simple syrup, shaken with large ice cubes. I’m on to something, so in the next one I added orange bitters and a twist. Bingo!
Please!!!!!II I want the ‘old’ Tanqueray WITHOUT the added botanicals. I purchased two bottles of the new expecting it to be my go to gin. I can’t even drink this new Lime Rangpur. So disappointed!