THL: What is it?

Hayman's Old Tom Gin is one of the very few Old Tom style gins on the market, distilled with juniper berries and then sweetened with sugar.

THL: Why should you try it?

Hayman’s Old Tom Gin gives classic cocktail diehards the opportunity to make a number of drinks in all their classic glory.

Old Tom Gin is a style of gin that is lightly sweetened and was popular from the 18th to 19th century. The gin of that time was originally sweetened to mask the impurities of the harsh hooch. As distilling technique improved over time, London Dry style gin became more popular, but many people still had a taste for Old Tom Gin. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin sports a black cat on their label, a tribute to the cat-shaped wooden plaques that would hang outside of pubs where passersby could deposit a penny for a shot of Old Tom gin that would come out through a tube between the cat’s paws.

THL: Who makes it?

Hayman Distillers is one of the few remaining independent, family-owned spirits companies in the UK. Based in London, the distillation process is overseen by Christopher Hayman, a veteran of the drinks trade and an experienced “Gin Master.”

THL: What does it taste like?

While it is true that the Old Tom style of gin is sweetened, it is not a syrupy saccharine sweet. Hayman's Old Tom is full-bodied and creamy, yet zesty like lemon curd. The juniper and cardamom are unabashedly bold, and linger on the mildly spicy finish.

THL: How should you drink it?

Hayman's Old Tom Gin sports some crafty cocktails on their website. Here's our favorite.

Ocun Martini
1 part Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
1 part vanilla vodka
1 part strawberry juice
1 part blackberry puree

Shake over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a Strawberry

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