Hayman's Old Tom Gin 82.8 Proof

Hayman's Old Tom Gin. Hayman Distillers, Balham, London, England — a revival of the original Victorian gin style, made to a 160-year-old family recipe by England's oldest gin-distilling family and the key ingredient in the Martinez, Tom Collins, and Ramos Gin Fizz.

The Hayman family's history in gin began in 1863 when James Burrough — great-great-grandfather of the current chairman Christopher Hayman — purchased a gin rectifying business in Chelsea. Burrough pioneered the use of citrus botanicals and created multiple gin styles including what he called his Old Tom: a lightly sweetened, botanically intense gin that was the dominant style in England before London Dry took over in the late 19th century. That original recipe sat in the family archives for over a century before Christopher Hayman revived it in 2007, following requests from bartenders who needed an authentic Old Tom for classic cocktails.

Hayman's Old Tom uses the same ten botanicals as all Hayman's gins — the "Hayman 10": juniper, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, angelica root, orris root, cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, nutmeg, and licorice root — macerating for 24 hours before distillation in three small copper pot stills. Cinnamon (two varieties) is the most prominent botanical alongside juniper. After distillation, the gin is lightly sweetened with sugar — not enough to make it obviously sweet, but enough to round the mouthfeel, soften the botanical edges, and create the silky, rich character that defines the Old Tom style. The result sits between London Dry and Dutch genever in terms of sweetness, and is considered one of the finest Old Tom gins available today.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Clean and fresh — piney juniper and orange zest upfront, with licorice root, black tea, and herbal spice from coriander. Slightly sweeter than London Dry on the nose.
• Palate: Juniper-led, clean, and very slightly sweet. Juniper is backed by citrus, subtle earthy spice, and a touch of licorice. Creamy and unctuous with juniper custard and baking spice mid-palate. Rich and rounded throughout.
• Finish: Sweeter on the finish with juniper invigorated by earthy spice and fruity, spicy citrus. Brilliantly balanced — soft and silky from the sugar without being obviously sweet.

Specs

• Distillery: Hayman Distillers, Balham, London, England
• Style: Old Tom Gin
• Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, angelica root, orris root, cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, nutmeg, licorice root
• Sweetened: Yes — lightly sweetened with sugar post-distillation
• ABV: 41.4% (82.8 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Old Tom gin? Old Tom is a style of gin that predates London Dry, popular in Victorian England. It is slightly sweeter than London Dry (but less sweet than Dutch genever), with more botanical intensity. Sugar is added after distillation to round the mouthfeel and soften the botanicals. It was the default gin style throughout the 19th century and is the correct gin for a Martinez, Tom Collins, and Ramos Gin Fizz.
• What does Hayman's Old Tom taste like? Piney juniper and orange zest on the nose with licorice and herbal spice. The palate is juniper-led and creamy with citrus, baking spice, and earthy licorice. The finish is slightly sweet with a silky, rounded character. Rich and well-balanced throughout.
• What cocktails is Hayman's Old Tom best in? The Martinez — gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino, bitters — is the classic Old Tom showcase. Also essential for a proper Tom Collins, Ramos Gin Fizz, and Aviation. Its slight sweetness eliminates the need for added sweeteners in many sour-style drinks.
• How is Old Tom different from London Dry? Old Tom is lightly sweetened and tends to have more botanical intensity and richness. London Dry is bone dry, crisper, and often more juniper-forward. Old Tom was the dominant style before improved distillation in the late 1800s made a drier, cleaner gin possible.
• What botanicals are in Hayman's Old Tom? The "Hayman 10": juniper, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, angelica root, orris root, cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, nutmeg, and licorice root. Cinnamon (two varieties) is especially prominent in the Old Tom expression.