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Old Tom Gin

At one point an almost-forgotten style, Old Tom is a sweetened gin called for in many of the early recipes for sweeter gin cocktails, especially The Martinez and Tom Collins. Most of them make for a tasty G&T too!

These days, the sweeter side of gin is enjoying a revival – but what's the deal with Old Tom gin? Read on, gin explorer for the history of sweetening gin, the 1729 Gin Act, and puss and mew houses…

Here at Master of Malt, we love a drink with an unusual backstory. And they don't come much quirkier than the narrative behind Old Tom gin – London dry's sweeter cousin often, but not always, branded with a cat. But first things first: the world is teeming with all things gin. How is Old Tom different from all the others? What sets this specific style apart?

Everything is cyclical – we might be in the grip of a gin boom right now, but our predecessors back in the 18th century also had a penchant for everything juniper. While we benefit from the subsequent decades of distillation trial and error, with all those lovely distillers and rectifiers fine-tuning their produce into delicious, delicious gins, our ancestors had to settle for… more questionable spirits. Not only was quality control a non-existent entity, but those early gins were downright dangerous. Dodgy distillates would have been high in methanol, potentially deadly, and, quite frankly, vile to taste. The answer? Not to stop drinking those risky and repulsive concoctions but to sweeten the liquid with sugar or honey – or anything else those plucky imbibers had to hand to make the drink more palatable. People gotta get their gin…

Thankfully for us, today's gins are a world apart from their age-old cousins. Those clever people behind the scenes have got their distillation processes down, perfecting time-worn production techniques to preserve the heritage of Old Tom safely and authentically – and with the utmost tastiness. We get classic Old Toms with all of the history and its remarkable character. God bless those distillers and blenders…

The sweetness makes sense. But why 'Old Tom'?

Two stories tend to circulate as to why this type of gin has gained its unusual moniker. The first is a sad tale – cat lovers, avert your eyes.

A distiller's feline friend once reputedly got too close to a vat of gin (lured in by that irresistible aroma, we reckon. Easily done.) and met a sad but junipery end. Poor kitty. The distiller was so upset that his gin became associated with the cat – and 'Old Tom' was born.

As cat people, we'd rather not believe that sorry account. In fact, we think it's apocryphal, and it's far more likely to be due to an unusual dispensing method used by London gin houses, by way of some Georgian tax avoidance…

Remember the aforementioned first-time-round gin boom? A LOT of people were drinking gin – which means a lot of potential tax revenue for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. So what did the powers that be do? Introduce a gin tax, putting up prices considerably for the average imbiber (This isn't vastly different from today – if an 'average' bottle of gin in the UK costs £13.66, the government pockets 75% or £10.33 of the purchase price in tax and VAT, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association calculates. But we digress…).

Those entrepreneurial gin fiends had already been inventive with the Old Tom recipe – and they applied a similar level of nous to purchasing their gin, too. Drinking establishments disguised in anonymous-looking buildings started to hang up images of tom cats. This secret sign on the so-called 'puss and mew houses', somehow known to gin drinkers but not the taxman, provided a handy service. All the imbiber had to do was push payment through the wall, and gin would pour out of the cat's mouth or paw and into their waiting glass. Like a historic, junipery vending machine. Smart.

Today an array of amazing Old Tom gin expressions are available – and it's an incredible style to explore. Yes, they're a little sweeter than many on the market, but they are just as complex and intriguing.

Bathtub Gin - Old Tom

50cl, 42.4%
Ableforth's

The Bathtub Gin gang has been at it again, this time recreating a traditional style of gin that was very popular in 18th and 19th century England. Old Tom is a slightly sweetened gin, created…  More info

Bathtub Gin - Old Tom
13
$30.73
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Colonsay Gin Cait Sith

70cl, 40%
Wild Thyme Spirits

A tasty creation from the folks at Wild Thyme Spirits on the Isle of Colonsay – it's their very own take on an Old Tom style gin! Built around a robust base of the classic Colonsay Gin, the addition…  More info

Colonsay Gin Cait Sith
1
$40.98
Best Seller

Hernö Old Tom Gin

50cl, 43%
Hernö

From the Swedish Hernö distillers comes a sweet, lip-smacking Old Tom Gin. They use the same botanical selection as their Hernö Dry Gin for this, although they've dialled up the amount of meadowsweet…  More info

Hernö Old Tom Gin
14
$36.36
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Silverback Old Tom Gin

70cl, 43%
Gorilla Spirits

An lip-smacking Old Tom Gin from the Gorilla Spirits Silverback range, perfect for all manner of cocktails. like the rest of the range, a portion of the proceeds ranges from each bottle is donated to…  More info

Silverback Old Tom Gin
2
$36.92

Gin del Professore Authentic Crocodile Gin

70cl, 45%
Del Professore

The third bottling from the Gin del Professore range, which seeks to reinvigorate lost styles of spirits production. Crocodile Gin represents the sweet Old Tom style of gin that was popular in the…  More info

Gin del Professore Authentic Crocodile Gin
2
$42.01
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Poetic License Old Tom Gin

70cl, 41.6%
Poetic License

An Old Tom gin from the Poetic License distillery in Sunderland! tasting inspiration from the sweet style of gin popular in the 1800s, this tasty treat features hibiscus and rose petals as part of…  More info

Poetic License Old Tom Gin
6
$33.34
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Best Seller

Orkney Gin Company Rhubarb Old Tom

50cl, 43%
Orkney Gin Company

A tangy twist on Old Tom gin from Orkney Gin Company, made with rhubarb grown in Orkney! The classic sweetness of Old Tom complements the zesty tartness of herbaceous perennial, with all of this…  More info

Orkney Gin Company Rhubarb Old Tom
34
$35.80

Two Birds Old Tom Gin

70cl, 40%
Two Birds

Ooh, the Two Birds distillers have made their own Old Tom Gin! Expect familiar refreshing notes as in their London Dry Gin with the addition of enjoyable sweetness. This'll do well in a Martinez...  More info

Two Birds Old Tom Gin
2
$32.17

Locksley Distilling Co. VSOT

70cl, 57.5%
Locksley Distilling Co Ltd

A tasty tipple from the folks behind Sir Robin of Locksley Gin. VSOT stands for Very Special Old Tom, and it is indeed a rather singular expression, as it's not only sweetened in the style popular in…  More info

Locksley Distilling Co. VSOT
1
$59
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Misty Isle Pink Old Tom Gin

70cl, 41.5%
Isle of Skye Distillers

Here we have a blushing Old Tom gin from the Misty Isle range, created by Isle of Skye Distillers! This one has been distilled with pear, blackcurrants, meadowsweet and infused with raspberries, all…  More info

Misty Isle Pink Old Tom Gin
1
$40.98

Boatyard Old Tom Gin

70cl, 46%
Boatyard

Inspired by the Old Tom gins of yore and the resurgence in its popularity, Northern Ireland's Boatyard Distillery have created their own take on the traditional style of gin. To make it, they age…  More info

Boatyard Old Tom Gin
$38.41

Whitby Old Tom Gin

70cl, 42%
Whitby Distillery

This here is an Old Tom variation of the award-winning Whitby Gin. Local wild botanicals from the Yorkshire moors are used to add a sweeter dimension to the gin, including honey and hand-picked…  More info

Whitby Old Tom Gin
3
$40.01

York Gin Old Tom

70cl, 42.5%
York Gin

York Gin's Old Tom is the tasty result of a collaboration with the Yorkshire Michelin-starred restaurant Star Inn, Harome. The slightly sweeter flavour comes from a Yorkshire sugar syrup exclusively…  More info

York Gin Old Tom
5
$40.01

Porter's Tropical Old Tom Gin

70cl, 40%
Langstane

A tropical fruit gin from Aberdeen? Porter's has subverted the typical perception of Scottish gin by adding cold-distilled botanicals of passion fruit, guava and white tea to a classic,…  More info

Porter's Tropical Old Tom Gin
2
$34.31

Himbrimi Old Tom Gin

70cl, 40%
Himbrimi

Himbrimi is a marvellous Icelandic compound gin built around an 18th century Old Tom Gin recipe that features juniper, Arctic thyme, angelica and honey. It was created by Iceland artist Óskar…  More info

Himbrimi Old Tom Gin
$49.20

Lytham Bee's Knees Old Tom Gin

70cl, 40%
Lytham

Sandgrown Spirits has added a classic Old Tom gin to its Lytham range, dubbed the Bee's Knees because it makes use of raw honey from local hives! The sweet spirit also boasts lavender, pink…  More info

Lytham Bee's Knees Old Tom Gin
10
$44.06

Tarsier Taipei Old Tom Gin

70cl, 40.3%
Tarsier

This fabulous Old Tom gin from Tarsier takes inspiration from Taiwan and includes some of its most famous produce – Oolong tea! Other botanicals include the likes of kumquat, hibiscus, and ginseng,…  More info

Tarsier Taipei Old Tom Gin
$36.89

House of Botanicals Old Tom Gin

70cl, 47%
Dr. Adam Elmegirab

Even Dr. Adam Elmegirab, bitters boffin extraordinaire, isn't safe from the juniper-based allure of gin making! Dr. Adam's very first gin is an Old Tom expression, which starts off with a blend of…  More info

House of Botanicals Old Tom Gin
11
$29.70

Icewine Old Tom (That Boutique-y Gin Company)

50cl, 42.1%
That Boutique-y Gin Company

An Old Tom that's been sweetened with delicious Canadian icewine rather than sugar! Icewine really is one of the best things. It's made with grapes that are frozen on the vine and then pressed whilst…  More info

Icewine Old Tom (That Boutique-y Gin Company)
2
$46.12
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Langley's Old Tom Gin Export Strength

70cl, 47%
Langley's

A higher-strength bottling of Langley's lip-smacking Old Tom Gin, this time presented at 47% ABV. Based on a recipe that dates back to 1891, we reckon this subtly sweet expression should make for…  More info

Langley's Old Tom Gin Export Strength
$29.35

Bathtub Gin - Old Tom (10cl)

10cl, 42.4%
Ableforth's

This 100ml bottle of Bathtub Gin - Old Tom is the perfect miniature gift, stocking filler, party favour, you name it. Sweet and full of punchy Bathtub botanicals, it'll make a fab Tom Collins.  More info

Bathtub Gin - Old Tom (10cl)
$8.16

South Loch Black Raspberry Old Tom Gin

70cl, 41.4%
South Loch

Coming to us all the way from Edinburgh, produced by the same folks behind the 56 North bar, South Loch Black Raspberry Old Tom brings a jammy, fruity twist on the classic style of gin.  More info

South Loch Black Raspberry Old Tom Gin
6
$37.91

Campfire Old Tom Gin

70cl, 45%
Puddingstone Distillery

From the Puddingstone Distillery comes an Old Tom variation of Campfire Gin. Old Tom gins are traditionally sweeter than regular gin, though this expression has no added sugar and gets its sweetness…  More info

Campfire Old Tom Gin
$37.89

Liquorsmiths Old Tom 6

50cl, 40%
Liquorsmiths

Old Tom 6 from Liquorsmiths is a fabulous expression from the London-based producers, boasting six specially selected botanicals (hence the name). Those botanicals are juniper, coriander, orris,…  More info

Liquorsmiths Old Tom 6
$34.88
Price Drop

Hayman's Old Tom Gin

70cl, 41.4%
Hayman Distillers

Taking inspiration from the popular style of gin consumed in the 18th Century, the folks behind Hayman's have created their own Old Tom Gin! Subtly sweet, though maintains a herbaceous quality…  More info

Hayman's Old Tom Gin
3
$28.46
$27.13

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