Old Tom Gin is one of the oldest and most popular styles of gin. It’s a sweeter, slightly more viscous version of London Dry Gin that has been around since the 1700s. Old Tom Gin is a favorite among gin lovers and mixologists alike, as it adds a unique flavor to cocktails. So what are the best brands of Old Tom Gin on the market?
Here are some of the best brands of Old Tom Gin currently available:
• Hayman’s Old Tom Gin: This British classic is made with an authentic 19th century family recipe. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin has a rich and bold flavor with notes of juniper, citrus, and spices.
• Ransom Old Tom Gin: Ransom’s Old Tom is made with juniper, coriander, angelica root, orange peel, lemon peel, licorice root, and orris root. It has an incredibly smooth taste that stands out in craft cocktails.
• St. George Spirits Dry Rye Old Tom: This small batch gin from California is distilled with botanicals like juniper berries, sweet orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, cinnamon bark, cardamom seed pods and more. It has a bright flavor profile that makes it perfect for mixing.
• Few Spirits Old Tom: Few Spirits’ version of this classic gin style uses organic grains to create an incredibly smooth spirit that’s perfect for making delicious cocktails.Old Tom Gin is a sweetened style of gin that was popular in the 18th century. It is believed to have been the precursor to London Dry Gin, which is the most popular gin type today. Old Tom Gin is made with a base of barley and corn, as well as juniper berries and other botanicals. The result is a slightly sweeter and more aromatic gin than London Dry Gin.
Old Tom Gin has a long history and was one of the most popular gins during the heyday of gin drinking in England during the 18th century. It was made in several different styles, with some producers sweetening their gins with sugar or other flavoring agents. Old Tom Gin was also used in various cocktails, including the classic Tom Collins.
Today, Old Tom Gin has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its unique flavor profile. Many craft distillers are producing their own versions of Old Tom Gin, which are often slightly sweeter than traditional London Dry Gins. This makes them ideal for adding depth and sweetness to cocktails like martinis or Negronis.
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History of Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin is a style of gin that dates back to the early 18th century. It is a sweeter, maltier style of gin than the modern dry gin available today. The name Old Tom gin comes from the wooden plaques, known as “Old Tom” that were hung outside many pubs in England during the 1700s. The plaques were engraved with a picture of a black cat and advertised “Old Tom Gin” for sale.
Old Tom gin was made by adding sugar or other sweeteners to distilled spirits such as juniper, coriander and angelica root. This gave it a sweeter, more traditional flavor than modern gins. It was also traditionally slightly cloudy in appearance due to the addition of these sweeteners.
Old Tom gin became popular in England during the 1800s and was an important part of many cocktails, such as the classic Martini or Gin & Tonic. Its popularity waned in the 20th century with the emergence of dry gins and other spirits such as vodka and whiskey. However, Old Tom has seen a resurgence in recent years with many craft distilleries producing their own versions of this classic style of gin.
Popular Brands of Old Tom Gin
Old Tom gin is a type of gin that was popular during the 18th century and has since seen a resurgence in popularity. This style of gin is sweeter than London dry gin and has a softer flavor profile, making it ideal for cocktails like the Martinez or the Gin Fizz. There are many popular brands of Old Tom gin on the market today, each with its own unique flavor profile.
One of the most popular brands of Old Tom gin is Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, which is made in England using traditional methods. It has a rich, slightly sweet flavor with hints of citrus and juniper, making it perfect for cocktails or sipping neat. Another popular brand is Ransom Old Tom Gin, which is distilled in Oregon from grapes and botanicals like juniper, coriander, cardamom, angelica root and lemon peel. Its smooth flavor is great for mixing with other ingredients to create complex cocktails.
Finally, Plymouth Old Tom Gin is another popular choice that has been produced in England since 1793. It’s made with natural botanicals like juniper berries, coriander seeds and angelica root to create a smooth and mellow flavor that’s perfect for classic gin martinis or Negronis.
No matter what brand you choose, Old Tom gin can be an excellent addition to your bar collection as it adds complexity to any cocktail you make. With so many brands available on the market today, you’ll be sure to find one that suits your taste buds!
The Distillation Process of Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin is a type of gin that has been around since the 18th century. It is made in a similar way to London Dry Gin, but it has a sweeter taste due to the addition of sugar or other sweeteners. The distillation process for Old Tom Gin is slightly different than that of London Dry. The main difference is that Old Tom Gin is distilled at a lower proof, typically between 80-90%. This creates a smoother, sweeter gin that has less juniper flavor.
The first step in the distillation process for Old Tom Gin is to macerate the botanicals. This involves soaking the botanicals in alcohol and water for several hours, allowing them to release their essential oils and flavors into the liquid. After the maceration process, the mix is heated and then cooled to create what is known as “the wash.” This wash contains all of the essential oils and flavors from the botanicals and will be used in the next step of distillation.
The next step in making Old Tom Gin is to distill it in a pot still. This allows for more control over the flavor profile as well as more flexibility with blending different botanical flavors together. During this process, the wash is heated until it starts to boil and then cooled again so that it condenses into liquid form, which can then be collected and stored for later use. Once this process has been completed, it’s time to add sugar or other sweeteners for a sweeter flavor profile.
Finally, after all steps are completed, Old Tom Gin can be bottled and sold commercially. It’s important to note that while Old Tom Gin may have a sweeter taste than London Dry Gin, it still retains its classic juniper flavor profile due to its lower proof distillation process. As such, Old Tom remains one of the most popular gins on the market today!
Old Tom Gin Characteristics
Old Tom Gin is a type of gin that was popular in England during the 18th century. It is characterized by a sweeter taste than the more modern dry gins, a result of its higher sugar content. Old Tom gins are usually made with less juniper and more citrus than other gins, which gives them a lighter flavor. They also tend to be stronger than other gins, usually clocking in at around 44-50 proof.
In terms of color and aroma, Old Tom gin tends to be light gold-colored and have a distinctive nose of juniper, citrus, and spices like nutmeg or cardamom. The taste is slightly sweet on the front end with floral notes on the back end. Old Tom gins are often used in classic cocktails like Negronis or Martinez cocktails.
Old Tom gin is an important part of gin history and has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity due to craft cocktail culture. Many craft distilleries have produced their own versions of Old Tom Gin, giving modern drinkers the opportunity to try this historic style of gin.
Cocktail Recipes Using Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin is a classic spirit that is making a big comeback in the world of craft cocktails. It has a sweeter, more mellow flavor than traditional London Dry gin, which makes it perfect for creating unique and delicious cocktails. Here are some of our favorite cocktail recipes using Old Tom Gin:
The Old Tom Sour is a classic cocktail that is easy to make at home. It combines two parts Old Tom Gin with one part lemon juice, one part simple syrup, and one egg white. Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
The Negroni Sbagliato is an Italian twist on the classic Negroni cocktail. It features equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, as well as two parts Old Tom Gin instead of the usual London Dry gin. Stir all ingredients together in a mixing glass and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a frothy New Orleans favorite that dates back to the late 19th century. To make it, combine two ounces of Old Tom gin, half an ounce of lemon juice, half an ounce of lime juice, one teaspoon of superfine sugar, four drops of orange blossom water, and one egg white in a shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake vigorously for about two minutes or until you see froth forming on top of the liquid. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass and top with club soda or seltzer water.
Finally, the Corpse Reviver #2 is another classic cocktail that uses Old Tom gin as its base spirit. In addition to two ounces of the gin, it calls for three-quarters of an ounce each of Lillet Blanc and Cointreau liqueur as well as half an ounce each of lemon juice and absinthe (or pastis). Shake all ingredients together in a shaker filled with ice cubes and strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry or lemon twist if desired.
Old Tom Gin Serving Suggestions
Old Tom Gin is a sweeter style of gin that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s a versatile spirit that can be used in a variety of creative cocktails. Here are some delicious serving suggestions for Old Tom Gin:
The Classic Martini: This classic cocktail is made with equal parts Old Tom Gin and dry vermouth, and garnished with an olive or lemon twist. Simply shake the ingredients together with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass for an easy and elegant drink.
Gin Fizz: This bubbly beverage is a perfect summertime refresher. Just combine equal parts of Old Tom Gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda over ice. Shake briefly to combine the ingredients, then strain into a tall glass. The result is an effervescent drink that’s sure to please.
Gin Sour: This classic cocktail is easily adapted to use Old Tom Gin instead of its traditional London Dry counterpart. Just combine two ounces of gin with one ounce each of freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup over ice in a shaker tin. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds before straining into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnishing with an orange twist.
From classic cocktails to modern takes on old favorites, Old Tom Gin has plenty of possibilities for creative drinks. Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated sipper or something more refreshing, there’s sure to be something here that will suit your tastes!
Pros of Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin is a type of gin that has been around since the 18th century. It has a sweeter flavor than other types of gin, making it more popular among gin enthusiasts. It is also known for its smoothness and mellow taste, which makes it a great option for mixed drinks. Old Tom Gin also has a higher ABV than other gins, so it can add a nice kick to your cocktails. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to find in most liquor stores and online retailers.
Cons of Old Tom Gin
The main downside to Old Tom Gin is that it can be difficult to find in many stores and online retailers outside of Europe. Additionally, since it’s sweeter than other gins, some people may not enjoy the flavor as much. It’s important to experiment with different types of gin to figure out which one works best for you. Lastly, Old Tom Gin can be quite expensive compared to other types of gin, so if you’re on a budget it might not be the best option.
Conclusion
When it comes to Old Tom gin, there are a lot of great brands out there. Each brand has its own unique flavor profile, so it really comes down to personal preference. Some of the best brands of Old Tom gin on the market include Beefeater, Hayman’s, Sipsmith, and Ford’s Gin. All four have different flavor profiles that can suit anyone’s palate. Ultimately, the best Old Tom gin for you will depend on what you’re looking for in terms of taste and aroma.
Whether your preference is for a dry or sweeter style gin, you can find an Old Tom Gin that fits your needs.experimenting with different brands to find the one that suits you best is always an enjoyable experience. So get out there and try some Old Tom gins today!
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