Tanqueray Malacca is one of those gins that carries a genuine sense of history in the bottle. Originally created in the 1990s as a limited edition inspired by Charles Tanqueray's travels along the Malacca Strait, it was discontinued, mourned, and eventually brought back by popular demand — and for good reason. This is Tanqueray stepping away from their signature crisp, juniper-forward profile and into something altogether more exotic and approachable.
Style & Character
Classified as an Old Tom style, Malacca sits in that lovely sweet spot between a dry London gin and the richer, maltier gins of the 19th century. At 41.3% ABV, it's gentler than Tanqueray's mainline expressions, which gives it a softer, rounder mouthfeel that I find enormously appealing. Old Tom gins were the backbone of early cocktail culture for a reason — that touch of sweetness opens up botanical complexity in a way that bone-dry styles sometimes mask.
What To Expect
While the full botanical bill hasn't been officially confirmed, Tanqueray's heritage is built on masterful blending, and Malacca is widely recognised for leaning into citrus and warm spice notes rather than heavy juniper. It's a gin that rewards curiosity — every sip invites you to pick apart the layers the distillers have woven together.
Best Served
This is a gin that was born to make a Tom Collins. Build it long with fresh lemon juice, a light sugar syrup, and good soda water over large ice cubes, garnished with a lemon wheel. The Old Tom sweetness means you can dial back the syrup and let the gin do the talking. It's equally stunning in a Martinez — paired with sweet vermouth and a dash of maraschino, Malacca's character truly shines.
At £52.95 for a full litre, you're getting serious value for a gin with this much pedigree. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10 — a beautifully crafted Old Tom that bridges history and modern drinking with real elegance.
