Hayman's Old Tom Gin

Hayman's Old Tom is an English gin bottled at 41.4% ABV and made by the Hayman family in London. It follows the Old Tom style, a lightly sweetened gin from the Victorian era that sits between the dry bite of a London Dry and the heavier body of a Dutch genever. Expect a rounder, softer texture than a standard dry gin. Juniper and citrus stay in front, with gentle botanical spice behind them and a touch of sweetness that smooths the finish without making it syrupy. That balance is why the bottle suits the older cocktail canon. In a Tom Collins, the drink that took its name from this gin style, the extra roundness fills out the lemon and soda, so the drink tastes less sharp than one made with a bone-dry gin. It is also the traditional choice for a Martinez, where it pairs with sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters in a way a drier gin can't quite match. In a Negroni, expect a slightly softer, less angular result, because the gin's sweetness takes some of the edge off the Campari. A Martini is possible too, but treat it as a gentler, more rounded version of the drink than the crisp, austere style most people expect. For a Gin & Tonic, use a balloon glass or a tall highball filled with plenty of cold, hard ice. Because the gin carries its own sweetness, a dry or lightly sweetened tonic keeps the drink in balance, and a sweeter tonic can tip it too far. A wedge or peel of lemon or orange suits the citrus in the gin, and a sprig of thyme or rosemary adds a savory contrast if you want the drink drier. For stirred drinks, chill the glass and stir with ice until the outside of the mixing glass is cold, then strain. Neat or over a single large cube, it also works for sipping, and the rounded sweetness is easy to read that way.