There's something deeply satisfying about picking up a bottle of Hayman's Old Tom Gin. This is a distillery that has been doing things properly for generations, and their Old Tom expression is arguably the definitive modern example of this historically significant gin style. At 40% ABV and around £30, it sits in that sweet spot where quality meets accessibility — and that's exactly where a good Old Tom should be.
A Style Worth Understanding
For anyone unfamiliar, Old Tom is the missing link between the malty, sweetened genever of the Netherlands and the bone-dry London Dry style we know today. It was the gin of Victorian London, the spirit that powered the first golden age of cocktails. Hayman's has done something rather special here: rather than simply adding sugar to a London Dry base — which is the shortcut some producers take — they've built their botanical recipe around the style's character from the ground up. The result is a gin that earns its gentle sweetness honestly.
The Botanical Blueprint
The botanical bill reads like a masterclass in balance. You've got your juniper foundation, of course, supported by coriander seed which adds that lovely citrus-spice bridge. Lemon peel and orange peel bring brightness, while angelica root and orris root do what they do best — acting as fixatives that knit everything together and give the spirit length and structure. Where it gets really interesting is in the warm spice department: cinnamon, cassia bark, nutmeg, and liquorice. That combination is what gives Old Tom its characteristic roundness. The liquorice in particular works beautifully here, contributing a natural sweetness and silky mouthfeel that defines the style without ever tipping into cloying territory.
Why This Matters for Cocktails
Here's where I get genuinely excited. If you've ever made a Tom Collins with London Dry and thought it was good, wait until you try it with this. The Old Tom style was literally what that cocktail was designed for — the name is the clue. The gentle sweetness means you can dial back the sugar syrup considerably, letting the botanicals do the talking. It's equally transformative in a Martinez, where the liquorice and warm spice notes play beautifully against sweet vermouth and maraschino. I'd also encourage you to try it in a Ramos Gin Fizz — the body and roundness of Old Tom gives you a more luxurious texture than a dry gin ever could.
Best Served
Make a proper Tom Collins: 50ml Hayman's Old Tom, 25ml fresh lemon juice, just 10ml simple syrup — less than you'd use with a London Dry — topped with chilled soda water over good clear ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh thyme. The botanical warmth of this gin turns a simple long drink into something genuinely special.
Hayman's Old Tom is a bottle that teaches you something every time you pour it. It connects you to gin's rich history while being entirely relevant to modern drinking. An essential addition to any serious home bar, and a benchmark for the Old Tom category. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10 — it does exactly what it sets out to do, and does it with real craft and integrity.
