Maker: Hayman, London, England, UK
Distiller: Thames Distillers, London, England, UK
ABV: 40%
Appearance: Clear.
Nose: Lime peel, juniper, a bit of horehound, anise, sweet cinnamon.
On the palate: Full-bodied. Sweet, slightly fruity, some heat and licorice.
Finish: Sweet, old fashioned candy. Lingers a very long time.
Mixed: Does very well in all applications. May get a little lost in a Tom Collins, but more than holds its own with tonic. The bitterness of the tonic is a very pleasant counterpoint to the fruity candy flavors of this gin. The same is true for a dry martini. The bitter herbal notes of the vermouth are a perfect foil for Hayman’s Old Tom.
Parting words: This is the second Old Tom gin I have reviewed on the blog and this is the better of the two. It’s more balanced and complex than Ransom and a little closer to a classic dry gin profile. But dry it is not. It’s got loads of sweet, fruity flavors in addition to the sharp botanical flavors. This balance makes it a perfect gin for classic cocktails and even for the occasional sip neat. An excellent gin from start to finish. Hayman’s Old Tom is highly recommended.
Sipology 