Old Tom

Old Tom is a gin style that evolved in England during the 18th century. It is generally believed that Old Tom was somewhat of a middle style between herbal-packed London Dry gins and malty Dutch jenever, but some believe it was a predecessor that used sweeteners to help mask the harsh flavor of gin.

Despite its immense popularity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, in the 20th century, it became virtually non-existent until the craft cocktail movement ignited its renewal. The category is diverse, and there are no uniform rules on how it should be made.

Like other gin styles, it includes juniper berries. Although it can be sweetened, it is not always the case, and it can also be aged. It is usually softer, smoother, and more subtle than other gin styles. Although there are several theories explaining the etymology of Old Tom, none of them has yet to be proven entirely true.