Tanqueray is a London dry gin; it is so called because of its distillation process as well as originating in Bloomsbury London. London dry gin is made by means of double distillation of grain. Botanicals are added during the second distillation. The recipe is a closely guarded trade secret although it is known to contain four botanicals (juniper coriander angelica root and liquorice). It all began when Charles Tanqueray launched his distillery in the 1830’s on Vine Street in Bloomsbury. It’s thought that the Tanqueray Gin recipe as we know it today first came about in 1838 – probably even earlier but older records can’t be found (presumably lost at some point in the company’s 180 year history!). It’s an astonishing feat given the balance of the gin and that the same recipe is still in use today more so when one considers that he was a newbie distiller in his early 20’s. When Charles died in 1868 his son Charles Waugh Tanqueray inherited the distillery which continued to operate until it was severely damaged during World War II. The only facility to survive the Axis bombing now known as "Old Tom" has since been moved to Cameron Bridge Scotland.