Old Tom gin is making a comeback as bartenders (and cocktail lovers) are rediscovering the unique flavour profile that this style of gin offers. The best Old Tom gins deliver a sweeter, smoother experience yet retain the fresh juniper kick every gin lover craves.
Interestingly, Old Tom was the predominant style of gin during the 18th century, way before the London dry style that we know today. A sweeter flavour characterises it, often achieved with the addition of sugar cane.
If you want a smoother gin experience, then Old Tom gin is the way to go. It’s similar to Dutch Genever and perfect for making cocktails and a great way to enjoy a G&T if you’re not a fan of the traditional London dry.
Table Of Contents
- 7 Best Old Tom Style Gins
- 1. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
- 2. Cotswolds Old Tom Gin
- 3. Langley’s Old Tom Gin
- 4. Porters Tropical Old Tom Gin
- 5. Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin
- 6. Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin
- 7. Purity Nordic Old Tom Organic Gin
- Andrew’s Top Pick
- Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin
- What Is Old Tom Gin?
- How Did Old Tom Gin Get Its Name?
- How Is Old Tom Gin Different From Normal Gin?
- Conclusion
- Further Reading
7 Best Old Tom Style Gins
The best Old Tom gins bring added sweetness to crisp juniper, citrus peel, exotic spices and other botanicals. Here are 7 Old Tom’s to consider.
1. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Hayman Distillers
- ABV: 41.4% (82.8 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin is a well-balanced gin that is sweeter than a London Dry and certainly has smoother edges. TheHayman familyhas been making gin for over 150 years, and they continue to use traditional methods to produce their spirits.
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin is made with juniper, coriander, citrus peel, plus other secret botanicals and spice. This gin is distilled using traditional copper pot stills and bottled at 40% ABV.
On The Nose
Fresh aromas of juniper and citrus peel. There are also floral and spicy undertones.
On The Palate
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin is smooth and slightly sweet with flavours of juniper, citrus fruits, and mild spices. With a lingering sweetness, the finish is long and enjoyable.
Best Served
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin can be enjoyed on the rocks with quality tonic water. Also, I would recommend this gin as the base for classic cocktails such as the Tom Collins and Gin Fizz.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Cotswolds Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Cotswolds
- ABV: 42% (84 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Cotswolds Old Tom Gin is produced in England’sCotswolds regionand made using traditional botanicals dating back to the 18th century. The gin is distilled using a pot still and is then aged for a minimum of six months in oak barrels.
Made from a blend of several botanicals, including; juniper, basil, orange peel, and liquorice root. A cheeky splash of sugar syrup ensures the Old Tom flavour profile. An excellent gin for complete beginners and veterans alike.
On The Nose
Cotswolds Old Tom Gin has a strong juniper aroma with citrus and floral notes.
On The Palate
Crisp juniper and sweet candied orange peel on the opening. Mid-palate reveals hints of soft ginger and herbs that lead to a slightly sweet finish.
Best Served
Pair this gin with a splash of tonic water over ice with a slice of orange to garnish. It would also make a smooth Tom Collins or any gin cocktail you care to think of.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Langley’s Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Langley’s
- ABV: 47% (94 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Langley’s Old Tom Gin is an adapted version of their excellent London dry gin that was first produced in 2011.This relative newcomerensures their handcrafted gin is distilled in small batches using only the finest botanicals.
Langley’s Old Tom Gin includes juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, lemon & orange peels. This gin is then aged in oak casks for a minimum of six months.
On The Nose
A strong juniper aroma with citrus, floral notes and a touch of pepper and wood.
On The Palate
Nicely balanced with crisp juniper, semi-sweet citrus peel, and floral notes, plus I could get some berry mid-palate. A slight sweetness, perhaps from Orris root, lingers on the finish.
Best Served
Langley’s Old Tom Gin is smooth and flavoursome to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with tonic, or mixed in cocktails such as the classicMartinior Negroni.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Porters Tropical Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Langstane
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Porter’s Gin distilleryis the culmination of three friends, a basement in Scotland and the idea of building their own vacuum still to create gin. Not a terrible place to start for a Scottish Gin!
Porters Tropical Old Tom is an unusual interpretation of the classic Old Tom recipe. The addition of tropical fruits to achieve the desired Old Tom sweetness is genius, in my humble opinion.
On The Nose
Crisp juniper berries, citrus peel and sweet tropical fruits.
On The Palate
The taste is smooth with light juniper and citrus peel sweetened with passion fruit and guava and a slight spiciness from white tea. The finish is gently sweetened, and tropical yet retains juniper crispness.
Best Served
Porter’s Tropical Old Tom Gin is best served long, with tonic and plenty of ice. I would also add a slice of citrus fruit and a sprig of mint to garnish.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Greenhook Ginsmiths
- ABV: 51% (102 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Pale Gold
Review
Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin is a modern take on the classic Old Tom recipe. ThisAmerican distillermakes its gin from pot-distilled corn, juniper, and other traditional botanicals such as coriander seeds and citrus peel.
The gin is aged for two years in ex-bourbon casks, then finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. This gives the gin a smooth, mellow flavour with hints of vanilla and caramel. At 51% ABV, it gives Navy Strength Gin a run for its money.
On The Nose
Aromas of fresh juniper, zesty citrus, and caramel sweetness.
On The Palate
Crisp juniper and citrus peel upfront, with sweeter flavours of vanilla and caramel mid-palate. The finish is well-rounded, smooth and nicely sweet with a touch of lingering spice.
Best Served
Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin is best enjoyed as a flavoursome gin & tonic. Additionally, it’s a superb complement to cocktails such as Martini’s as the 50% ABV can stand on its own two feet.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Gin Lane 1751
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin is a lighter version of their London dry gin made in the Old Tom style. The small batch gin uses 8 botanicals, including juniper, star anise, orange & lemon peel and refined sugar cane.
By increasing the star anise and including refined sugar cane, this gin becomes ultra smooth and easily drinkable, so much so that you could sip this one neat.
On The Nose
Intense aromas of juniper, citrus and sweet star anise. There are also hints of floral and herbal notes.
On The Palate
Initially smooth on the palate with a slightly sweet taste of star anise. The juniper and citrus flavours seem to come in a little later. A nice long finish with a hint of spice and sweetness.
Best Served
Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom can be enjoyed on the rocks with any quality Indian tonic water. Also, it’s ideal for cocktails such as theTom Cator Tom Collins.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Purity Nordic Old Tom Organic Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Purity Gin
- ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
- Country: Sweden
- Colour: Clear
Review
Purity Nordic Old Tom Organic Gin is a Swedish gin made by thePurity Distillery, which takes distilling to another level. For smoothness, this gin is distilled an incredible 34 times (even to me, that sounds a lot!)
This gin is made with various botanicals, including organic juniper berries, basil, thyme and Nordic lingonberries. The use of organic sugar cane ensures the necessary sweetness of the Old Tom recipe is achieved.
On The Nose
Lavender, cardamom, mild berries and sugar cane.
On The Palate
Initially, a citrus and crisp juniper combo leads to herb notes of basil and thyme mid-palate. The finish maintains lingering juniper mingle with the sweetness of berries and sugar cane.
Best Served
Purity Nordic Old Tom Organic Gin can be paired with Indian tonic water and garnished with red peppercorns and a lemon wedge to create a feistyRed Pepper Gin & Tonic.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin
My top pick is Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin because it has just the right balance of sweetness, juniper, citrus and spice that a proper Old Tom should.
Old Tom Gin Q&A
What Is Old Tom Gin?
Old Tom gin was a popular type of gin enjoyed during the 18th century. Traditional gin botanicals such as juniper, citrus and spices are infused into a neutral spirit to create it. The resulting spirit is then distilled and often sweetened with sugar.
How Did Old Tom Gin Get Its Name?
The name Old Tom refers to black cat signs hung on the outside walls of some English pubs during a time of increased taxation on gin. The story has it that thirsty patrons could get a secret shot of gin from a tube leading between the pub and the cat’s paw. Cheeky!
How Is Old Tom Gin Different From Normal Gin?
Unlike traditional gins such as the London Dry, Old Tom gin usually has sugar cane added for a sweeter and smoother gin experience. Several Old Tom gins are also aged before bottling to further mellow the taste profile. Old Tom is slightly less sweet than Dutch Genever.
Conclusion
There are plenty of great Old Tom gins on the market, and these seven are some of the best Old Tom gins I have come across. It is worth remembering that Old Tom gin is typically sweeter than other gin types, such as London Dry, so ideal if you prefer your gin to be less harsh or dry.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
Andrew Radford
Andrew is a drinks enthusiast, drinks reviewer and part-time barman of 30 years who is a proud member of both the US Bartenders’ Guild and the UK Bartenders’ Guild.
From aged tequila to spiced rum, my burning passion for all things flavour and fragrance means I leave no stone unturned in my quest to discover the perfect tipple. Read Andrew’s full bio.
The history of Cognac is a tale like none other. From the vineyards of South-West France to the ships of Dutch traders and beautiful glass bottles, this spirit’s past is…
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Once you get into whisky, it’s only a matter of time before someone suggests you try a peated variety. Peated whisky has a polarising flavour most associated with Scotch, particularly…
FAQs
7 Old Tom Gins Sweetened To PURRfection | Drinks Geek? ›
- Hayman's Old Tom Gin.
- Cotswolds Old Tom Gin.
- Langley's Old Tom Gin.
- Porters Tropical Old Tom Gin.
- Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin.
- Gin Lane 1751 Old Tom Gin.
- Purity Nordic Old Tom Organic Gin.
- 8 Zuidam Dutch Courage Old Tom's Gin. ...
- 7 Spring44 Old Tom Gin. ...
- 6 Greenhook Ginsmiths Old Tom Gin. ...
- 5 Hayman's Old Tom Gin. ...
- 4 Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom Gin. ...
- 3 Tanqueray Old Tom Gin. Spicy & Juniper. ...
- 2 Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin. Rich & Sweet. ...
- 1 Hammer & Son Old English Gin. Spicy & Rich.
Launched in November 2007, Hayman's Old Tom is a modern day recreation of an original family recipe dating from the 1860s which interestingly contains sugar. It is made with the same ten botanicals which feature in other Hayman gins but with more botanical intensity and the addition of the sugar.
What is added in Old Tom Gin for sweetness? ›Juniper, angelica root, coriander, and liquorice are distilled and then blended with some unaged wheat spirit (to mimic the base alcohol of the time) and some beet sugar for sweetness.
What defines Old Tom gin? ›Old Tom Gin (or Tom Gin or Old Tom) is a gin recipe popular in 18th-century England. In modern times, it became rare but has experienced a resurgence in the "Craft Cocktail" movement. It is slightly sweeter than London Dry, but slightly drier than the Dutch Jenever, thus is sometimes called "the missing link".
What is the difference between Old Tom gin and London dry gin? ›Although Old Tom gins are flavored with juniper like their London Dry counterparts, they are typically less juniper-heavy. Old Tom gins are actually more akin to Dutch genever in flavor, and in turn are lighter, maltier, softer and more approachable.
What is similar to Old Tom gin? ›Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire—they're all London Dry. This gin style is drier than some of the older types on this list (Old Tom, Genever) and features a balanced bouquet of juniper and citrus.
Why was Old Tom called Old Tom? ›Distiller Joseph Boord claimed the name came from a man named Tom who had put in a good many years at Boord's distillery. The prevailing theory, however, is that Old Tom gin got its name from the wooden plaques shaped like “Old Tom” black cats that adorned the outside wall of pubs in 18th Century England.
How long does Old Tom gin last? ›...
How Long Does Gin Last?
| Gin | Room temperature (liquor cabinet, cupboard, pantry) |
|---|---|
| Gin (unopened) | Keeps indefinitely |
| Gin (opened) | 1 year |
Production starts with a distillation of British grain spirit and juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel creating a truly outstanding dry gin in its own right; rich in piney juniper, citrus and elegant spice.
What is a sweeter variety of gin known as? ›
Old Tom Gin
What makes it unique? There's a larger amount of licorice used in Old Tom Gin which makes it sweeter than the standard gin.
Hendrick's is the number one super premium gin in the world. Hendrick's is a distilled comprised from a proprietary recipe featuring 11 botanicals collected from the four corners of the world.
Is gin ever dark? ›Dark gins are distilled as usual, then aged in oak barrels similar to those used to age whisky, wine, and sherry for months or even years. The result of that final step is surprising complex. In the United States, a dark gin was introduced.
Is Genever a gin? ›Genever is a lot like gin. Both contain juniper, and often familiar spices like coriander or anise; citrus peels; or bittering agents like orris root or angelica. But it's also not gin.
What are the 4 types of gin? ›- London Dry. As you might suspect, London Dry gin was first formulated in England but is now made world-wide. ...
- Plymouth. ...
- Old Tom. ...
- Genever.
Jam Jar Gin Morus LXIV
It's no surprise the most expensive gin in the world comes from a nation of gin lovers. Distilled from the leaves of a single ancient Mulberry tree, this English gin takes more than two years to produce and is worth A$7,400 per bottle.
Gin is not just flavored vodka. Vodka is a neutral tasteless spirit whereas gin is infused with juniper and other botanicals. Although they are similar, they have different production methods, are branded differently, and have completely different tastes.
What is the most popular gin? ›#1 Ginebra San Miguel. In 2020, the Philippines-based brand San Miguel continued to be the world's best selling gin brand. They sold 31.2 million cases. Despite the pandemic of 2020-21, they posted strong growth, up 8% from 2019.
Which gin has the most botanicals? ›Some gins have very few botanicals (Tanqueray, for instance, has only four), while others have dozens. Between 10 and 20 is most common, though Monkey 47, from the Black Forest has, well, 47.
What is Navy gin? ›At its core and by definition, a Navy Strength gin has to have an abv of at least 57%. So basically it's "just" a stronger gin (but it's so much more than that...). The reason it got its name dates back to the 18th Century. In the British Navy, gin (and maybe rum) was stored on ships next to the gunpowder.
Where is bathtub gin from? ›
Produced in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, Professor Cornelius Ampleforth's Bathtub Gin is made in tiny batches of 30-60 bottles.
What happens if you drink expired gin? ›Like other hard spirits, gin can stay safe for consumption indefinitely. The high alcohol content — the standard 35 percent for most brands — within the spirit won't be a safe habitat for mold or bacteria to grow. So if you're worried about spoiled gin making you sick, chances are that it wouldn't.
Does unopened gin go bad? ›In summary, you can keep a bottle of Gin indefinitely unopened. Once you open your Gin and store it under the right conditions, we would recommend consuming it within a year. Gin does not go bad and you are highly unlikely to get ill by consuming a bottle of Gin that has been opened years.
Should you keep gin in fridge? ›The best place to keep gin is in fact the fridge, according to the experts - especially if you don't have any ice to keep your spirit cool. A master distiller of gin told Good Housekeeping that gin is best served cold, so bottles should be kept in the fridge if you're expecting to drink them imminently.
What is the oldest gin brand? ›1. Gordon's. Gordon's is the oldest brand on this list, having been produced for just shy of 250 years. During this time, Gordon's cemented itself as the world's best-selling gin brand.
Why gin is called ladies drink? ›Why Is Gin Considered A Ladies Drink? The black market was the place where dealers, pushers, and runners sold their illegal 'hooch'. Women drank the majority of the gin, which resulted in children being neglected, daughters being sold into prostitution, and wet nurses giving gin to babies to calm them down.
Is gin good for health? ›The juniper berries in gin contain flavonoids, which can clean clogged arteries. It can also reinforce the connective tissues of the veins. Having moderate amounts of gin every day (one small glass) can decrease the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.
What is the best sweet gin? ›- Parma Violet Gin. In recent months, parma violet gin has taken the market by storm, and it is available from a number of different suppliers. ...
- Bubblegum Gin. ...
- Pink Gin. ...
- Pomegranate & Rose Gin. ...
- Rhubarb Gin.
There are two types of gin that are most common in the U.S. market. Distilled gin is made by distilling a mash, or fermented alcohol base, similar to production of brandy or whiskey. Redistilled gin is made from the second distillation of a neutral spirit.
How do you know if gin is good? ›“A good quality gin is one that shows up in the way you drink it. In a Gin & Tonic, it needs to shine in that drink. The way to determine a bad gin is through the cocktail – a bad gin won't show up in the final serve.”
Is Hendrick's better than Bombay? ›
Alcohol Content in the U.S.
Bombay Sapphire has been steady at 94 proof, barring a strange mix-up in 2017 wherein bottles accidentally produced at 154 proof were distributed in Canada. Tanqueray and Tanqueray No. Ten are both bottled at 94.6 proof, while Hendrick's comes in at 82.8 proof.
Bombay Sapphire tastes of juniper, and the other botanicals make it dry and astringent. Tanqueray is stronger with the juniper, but more full-bodied and smooth. I didn't know juniper could taste that good.
Why is Hendrick's gin so good? ›What'S Special About Hendricks Gin? The use of roses and cucumbers, as well as 11 other botanicals, including juniper, coriander, orange, lemon, angelic, orris root, cubeb berries, caraway seeds, chamomile, elderflower, and yarrow berries, gives Hendrick's a distinct flavor.
Why does gin not give you a hangover? ›Bourbon whiskey is exceptionally high in congeners. On the other hand, colorless drinks — like vodka, gin, and rum — have low levels of congeners. You can significantly reduce the severity of hangovers by drinking low-congener beverages, such as vodka, gin, or rum.
Why does gin get you so drunk? ›Gin is one of the common alcoholic drinks that can get you drunk quickly. It has a high percentage of alcohol content (usually at least 40% ABV, sometimes as strong as 60%, dubbed 'Navy Stremgth') which makes it rank as one of the contenders to get you drunk within a very short period of time.
Is gin worse for you than vodka? ›Is Gin More Healthier Than Vodka? In comparison to other liquors, gin has less sugar and fewer calories. Gin might be a slightly healthier option if you already drink alcohol. Mixers, on the other hand, need to be handled with caution.
What fruit is gin made out of? ›Juniper berries: Juniper berries have a woody, pine-like flavor. They are the only required botanical ingredient for liquor to be considered gin and are usually added during the distillation process.
Why was gin called geneva? ›Gin became so popular that it took on an identity – Madam Geneva. Geneva was the name initially given to the drink by the English and derives from the Dutch name for it, “Jenever”, which itself comes from the Dutch for Juniper – the berry that gives gin its distinctive flavour. Geneva was eventually shortened to Gin.
How do the Dutch drink jenever? ›Like any spirit, you can drink Genever straight. Neat, it's served in a tulip-shaped glass, up to the rim. Either at room temperature, or chilled. One traditional way of consuming Genever is kopstootje., loosely translated to “headbutt,” which means serving the spirit with a beer chaser.
What botanicals are in Old Tom gin? ›Production starts with a distillation of British grain spirit and juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel creating a truly outstanding dry gin in its own right; rich in piney juniper, citrus and elegant spice.
How do you make Old Tom gin? ›
- Heat 5 teaspoons of sugar and one tablespoon of water over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Let cool.
- Add to one 750 ml bottle of London dry gin. Make it either Tanqueray or Beefeater, which sell their gin at the 1819 maximum alcohol by volume, 47%.
- That's it!
...
Plymouth Gin.
| Type | Gin |
|---|---|
| Alcohol by volume | 41.2% |
| Proof (US) | 72 (U.S. 83) |
| Website | www.plymouthgin.com |
The Ginebra San Miguel brand is by far the world's most popular gin, selling more than 31 million 9-liter cases in 2020. Gordon's came in second with just under seven million cases sold.
What is the number 1 selling gin in the world? ›#1 Ginebra San Miguel
In 2020, the Philippines-based brand San Miguel continued to be the world's best selling gin brand. They sold 31.2 million cases. Despite the pandemic of 2020-21, they posted strong growth, up 8% from 2019.
1. Gordon's. Gordon's is the oldest brand on this list, having been produced for just shy of 250 years. During this time, Gordon's cemented itself as the world's best-selling gin brand.
How long does Old Tom gin last? ›...
How Long Does Gin Last?
| Gin | Room temperature (liquor cabinet, cupboard, pantry) |
|---|---|
| Gin (unopened) | Keeps indefinitely |
| Gin (opened) | 1 year |
Distiller Joseph Boord claimed the name came from a man named Tom who had put in a good many years at Boord's distillery. The prevailing theory, however, is that Old Tom gin got its name from the wooden plaques shaped like “Old Tom” black cats that adorned the outside wall of pubs in 18th Century England.
What is the strongest gin? ›Anno Extreme 95 Gin packs more punch and flavour, drop for drop, than any other spirit in the world. Being the world's strongest gin - just a 5ml measure gives you a full flavoured G&T with 75% less alcohol than a 50ml measure of 40% ABV gin.
Should gin be kept in the fridge? ›The best place to keep gin is in fact the fridge, according to the experts - especially if you don't have any ice to keep your spirit cool. A master distiller of gin told Good Housekeeping that gin is best served cold, so bottles should be kept in the fridge if you're expecting to drink them imminently.
Is gin good for health? ›The juniper berries in gin contain flavonoids, which can clean clogged arteries. It can also reinforce the connective tissues of the veins. Having moderate amounts of gin every day (one small glass) can decrease the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.
What are the 4 types of gin? ›
- London Dry. As you might suspect, London Dry gin was first formulated in England but is now made world-wide. ...
- Plymouth. ...
- Old Tom. ...
- Genever.