Ransom Old Tom Gin 750ML

Ransom Old Tom Gin 750ML is a barrel-aged Old Tom-style gin from Sheridan, Oregon, bottled at 44% ABV (88 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Awarded 95 points by The Tasting Panel and a Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression revives a historical gin style through a whiskey-inspired production process that few modern distillers attempt.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44% (88 Proof)  |  Origin: Sheridan, Oregon, USA  |  Barrel-Aged 3–6 Months  |  Distillery: Ransom Distillery

Production & Heritage

Ransom Distillery operates on a 40-acre farm outside Sheridan, Oregon, where founder Tad Seestedt produces spirits rooted in pre-Prohibition techniques. The Old Tom Gin begins its life as whiskey: malted barley is mashed, fermented, and distilled through a custom-designed 150-gallon copper alembic pot still. That barley spirit is then combined with an infusion of six botanicals—juniper berries, orange peel, lemon peel, coriander seed, cardamom pods, and angelica root—steeped in high-proof corn spirits. The final distillation runs through the alembic pot still to preserve maximum aromatics and body, followed by 3 to 6 months of barrel aging, a step that sets this gin apart from nearly every other expression in the category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Juniper berries and coastal forest lead, followed by apothecary spice notes of cardamom and angelica root. Deeper layers reveal sweet berry, citrus pastry, floral hops, and a thread of honey.

Taste: The entry is soft and silky, with malt richness meeting lively citrus zest on the mid-palate. Coriander and exotic teak-like spice notes emerge alongside wintermint and mango custard. The body is medium-to-full, carrying dry-yet-fruity character with focused botanical clarity throughout.

Finish: Elegant and gently polished, with dried lavender, herbal juniper, and sweet spices lingering at moderate length. The malt backbone provides a clean, rounded closure rare among gins.

How to Drink Ransom Old Tom

Neat or with a single ice cube is the best way to appreciate the malt complexity and barrel influence. A small splash of water opens up the cardamom and citrus aromatics without diluting the silky texture.

• Tom Collins: The original cocktail built for Old Tom gin; the malt sweetness and barrel notes replace the need for excess sugar.
• Martinez: The historical precursor to the Martini, where Ransom's rich body and spice stand up beautifully against sweet vermouth and maraschino.
• Bee's Knees: Honey syrup echoes the gin's natural sweetness, while lemon juice amplifies its citrus zest.

Best For

• Gifting a cocktail enthusiast who appreciates historically inspired spirits
• Building a classic Martinez or Tom Collins with authentic Old Tom character
• Exploring barrel-aged gin as an entry point from whiskey
• Adding a distinctive American craft gin to a home bar collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ransom Old Tom taste like? Ransom Old Tom delivers a rich, malt-driven palate with juniper, citrus zest, cardamom, and coriander, rounded by 3 to 6 months of barrel aging that adds silky texture and gentle wood-spice warmth.

How does Ransom Old Tom compare to Hayman's Old Tom? Hayman's Old Tom is a London-style, unaged expression with a cleaner, lighter botanical profile, while Ransom's version uses a malted barley base and barrel aging to produce a significantly richer, more whiskey-adjacent character. Both are respected benchmarks in the Old Tom category, but they represent very different interpretations of the style.

Is Ransom Old Tom good for sipping neat? Yes—the barrel aging, malt complexity, and 44% ABV give it enough body and depth to drink neat, making it one of the few gins that rewards slow, contemplative sipping.

Where is Ransom Old Tom made? It is distilled and aged at Ransom Distillery on a 40-acre farm just outside Sheridan, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest.

What foods pair well with Ransom Old Tom? Smoked salmon benefits from the gin's citrus and juniper; aged cheddar complements its malt sweetness; charcuterie boards echo its spice and barrel notes; lemon tarts mirror the bright citrus aromatics; and roasted duck pairs well with the cardamom and angelica undertones.

What sizes does Ransom Old Tom come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Ransom Old Tom worth the price? Ransom Old Tom positions as a premium craft gin, and its labor-intensive production—pot-still whiskey distillation, separate botanical infusion, and months of barrel aging—justifies its place above standard gin pricing. With 95 points from The Tasting Panel and multiple Gold Medals, it delivers strong value within the small-batch, barrel-aged gin tier.

Why Ransom Old Tom?

Very few gins on the market begin their life as whiskey. That malted barley foundation, combined with alembic pot-still distillation and barrel aging, gives Ransom Old Tom a depth and texture that most gins simply cannot replicate. Its 95-point rating from The Tasting Panel and Gold Medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Seattle International Spirits Awards, and the American Craft Spirits Association confirm it as one of the most critically recognized Old Tom gins produced anywhere. For drinkers who find London Dry too austere or who want a bridge between gin and brown spirits, this Oregon-made expression occupies a category nearly by itself.