Aviation Old Tom Gin 750ML

Aviation Old Tom Gin 750ML is a barrel-aged American gin bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) from House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon. What distinguishes this expression from most Old Tom gins is the absence of added sugar or flavorings — its rounded sweetness comes entirely from one year of maturation in American white oak barrels that previously held Westward Whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42%  |  Origin: Portland, Oregon, USA  |  Barrel-Aged 1 Year  |  Distillery: House Spirits Distillery

Production & Heritage

House Spirits Distillery, based in Portland, Oregon, produces Aviation Old Tom using a neutral grain spirit that is infused with eight botanicals for eighteen hours before undergoing steam distillation. The botanical bill includes cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two varieties of orange zest — the same core profile that defines Aviation's flagship gin. The critical divergence happens post-distillation: the spirit rests for a full year in used American white oak casks that previously held House Spirits' own Westward Whiskey for three to four years, imparting natural caramel sweetness and oak complexity without any sugar additions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with floral lavender and vanilla, followed by bright citrus from the dual orange zest infusion. Pine-tinged juniper and a gentle warmth from the barrel aging round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is soft and notably smooth, with caramel sweetness arriving early alongside light baking spice reminiscent of Christmas cake. At mid-palate, juniper, lavender, and orange zest reassert the gin's botanical identity, balanced by the mellowing influence of the oak. The interplay between floral botanicals and barrel-derived sweetness keeps the palate layered without ever turning cloying.

Finish: Medium in length, gently sweet, with lingering warmth from the oak and a subtle echo of baking spice. The lavender and citrus slowly fade, leaving a clean, mellow close.

How to Drink Aviation Old Tom

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the most direct way to appreciate the barrel influence and botanical complexity — a small pour rewards slow sipping. For cocktails, Aviation Old Tom is especially well-suited to classics that originally called for Old Tom–style gins:

• Tom Collins: The natural caramel sweetness means less simple syrup is needed, letting the botanicals shine through the citrus and soda.
• Martinez: The oak-aged character and lavender notes complement sweet vermouth and maraschino liqueur beautifully in this pre-Prohibition classic.
• Gin Old Fashioned: The barrel aging gives this gin enough body and warmth to stand in for whiskey, with bitters and a citrus twist drawing out the spice notes.

Best For

• Whiskey drinkers curious about exploring gin through a barrel-aged bridge
• Gifting a cocktail enthusiast who appreciates pre-Prohibition–era recipes
• Building a home bar with historically inspired spirit categories
• Sipping sessions focused on comparing aged vs. unaged gin expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Aviation Old Tom taste like? Aviation Old Tom delivers caramel sweetness and light baking spice from its year in oak, layered with floral lavender, juniper, and bright orange zest from the botanical infusion. The overall impression is a mellow, smooth gin with a gently sweet character that comes entirely from barrel aging rather than added sugar.

How does Aviation Old Tom compare to Ransom Old Tom Gin? Ransom Old Tom Gin uses a blend of corn and barley-based spirits and is also barrel-aged, resulting in a maltier, more grain-forward profile. Aviation Old Tom leans more floral thanks to its lavender and dual orange zest, with sweetness derived purely from oak maturation rather than any malt character or added sweeteners.

Is Aviation Old Tom good for sipping neat? Yes — the one-year barrel aging softens the spirit considerably, and at 42% ABV it drinks smoothly without excessive heat. Its caramel and vanilla notes make it approachable for drinkers who typically gravitate toward aged whiskey.

Where is Aviation Old Tom made? Aviation Old Tom Gin is produced at House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon. The spirit is aged on-site in American white oak barrels previously used to mature House Spirits' Westward Whiskey.

What foods pair well with Aviation Old Tom? Smoked salmon benefits from the gin's citrus and lavender notes; soft cheeses like brie complement the caramel sweetness; dark chocolate draws out the baking-spice character; roasted duck pairs well with the juniper and oak; and citrus tarts mirror the orange zest botanicals while balancing the barrel warmth.

What sizes does Aviation Old Tom come in? Aviation Old Tom Gin is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Aviation Old Tom worth the price? Aviation Old Tom positions as a premium craft gin, reflecting the cost of a full year of barrel maturation in quality American oak casks. Within the small-batch barrel-aged gin category, it represents solid value given the no-sugar-added approach and the distinctive Westward Whiskey barrel provenance.

Why Aviation Old Tom?

The defining achievement of Aviation Old Tom is its method of achieving sweetness — where most Old Tom gins rely on sugar or botanical manipulation, this expression earns every bit of its rounded, caramel character from a year inside American white oak that previously held Westward Whiskey. That provenance gives it a traceable, single-distillery lineage from grain to barrel to bottle, all under the House Spirits roof in Portland. The eight-botanical recipe shared with Aviation's core gin means drinkers familiar with the brand will recognize the floral and citrus backbone, now deepened by vanilla and spice from the wood. For anyone interested in the historical Old Tom category rendered through a modern, craft-distillery lens, this is one of the more thoughtfully produced expressions available.