Haymans Old Tom Gin 750ML

Hayman's Old Tom Gin 750ML is a lightly sweetened, juniper-forward London gin bottled at 40% ABV in the historic Old Tom style. Scoring 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, it follows an original Hayman family recipe dating to the 1860s — one of the few unbroken links to the golden age of English gin.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: London, England  |  Style: Old Tom Gin  |  Distillery: Hayman's Distillery

Production & Heritage

Hayman's Distillery is a family-owned operation now in its fifth generation of gin making. The Old Tom expression uses ten core botanicals — juniper, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, angelica root, cinnamon, cassia bark, orris root, licorice, and nutmeg — macerated for a full 24 hours before distillation in three small copper pot stills. What distinguishes it from the house London Dry is a measured addition of sugar and greater botanical intensity, faithful to the original 1860s family recipe that predates the drier style of gin that would come to dominate the 20th century.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Clean, piney juniper leads immediately, followed by bright orange zest and a gentle undertone of licorice root. Faint notes of black tea and herbal spice emerge as the spirit opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is creamy and unctuous, with citrus oils and mild sweetness holding court early on. The mid-palate transitions into a juniper-custard character layered with baking spice and coriander. Earthy, almost chewy licorice root anchors everything through the peak, with cinnamon adding warmth underneath.

Finish: Medium length with lingering sweetness, as juniper reasserts itself alongside earthy spice and fruity citrus peel. A gingerbread-like quality and a whisper of floral orris linger at the very end.

How to Drink Hayman's Old Tom

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the best way to appreciate the botanical depth and gentle sweetness. A splash of chilled tonic also works well without overwhelming the spirit's nuances.

• Tom Collins — Wine Enthusiast called this "the proper gin to use for a Tom Collins," and the built-in sweetness means less simple syrup is needed.
• Martinez — The Old Tom style is historically correct for this pre-Prohibition classic, and the licorice and spice notes stand up to sweet vermouth.
• Gin Rickey — The sugar backbone balances fresh lime juice without added sweetener, keeping the drink bright and clean.

Best For

• Building a historically accurate pre-Prohibition cocktail bar at home
• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns a London Dry
• Exploring the sweeter, rounder side of English gin traditions
• Hosting a cocktail evening focused on classic 19th-century recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hayman's Old Tom taste like? It opens with creamy citrus oils and piney juniper, then develops into warm baking spice, coriander, and earthy licorice root. A gentle, deliberate sweetness runs through the entire profile, distinguishing it from sharper London Dry styles.

How does Hayman's Old Tom compare to Jensen's Old Tom? Both are respected Old Tom gins, but Hayman's relies on a broader ten-botanical recipe with a 24-hour maceration that produces a spicier, more layered spirit. Jensen's tends toward a more restrained, malt-forward profile with fewer botanicals.

Is Hayman's Old Tom good for cocktails? It is excellent for cocktails, particularly classic recipes that historically called for Old Tom gin, such as the Tom Collins, Martinez, and Ramos Gin Fizz. The inherent sweetness reduces the need for added sugar in many builds.

Where is Hayman's Old Tom made? Hayman's Old Tom Gin is distilled at the Hayman's Distillery in London, England. The family-run distillery uses three small copper pot stills and follows recipes passed down through five generations.

What foods pair well with Hayman's Old Tom? Smoked salmon or cured trout complement the juniper and citrus character. Lemon tarts or shortbread biscuits echo the spirit's gentle sweetness. Mild goat cheese highlights the herbal and floral orris notes, and spiced nuts or charcuterie boards align with the cinnamon and cassia bark undertones.

What sizes does Hayman's Old Tom come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format in the United States.

Is Hayman's Old Tom worth the price? Hayman's Old Tom sits in the mid-premium tier for gin and delivers outsized quality for its position, backed by a 94-point score from Wine Enthusiast. For drinkers exploring Old Tom as a category, it represents strong value given the heritage recipe and copper pot still distillation.

Why Hayman's Old Tom?

This is one of the few Old Tom gins on the market made from a genuine Victorian-era recipe rather than a modern interpretation, and its 94-point Wine Enthusiast rating confirms the execution matches the pedigree. The 24-hour botanical maceration in small copper pot stills extracts a depth of flavor that quicker production methods simply cannot replicate. In a gin landscape crowded with New Western and contemporary styles, Hayman's Old Tom stands as an authentic bridge to the spirit's sweeter, more aromatic past — and remains the benchmark for the Old Tom category.