Makar Old Tom Gin

Makar Old TomOld TomAn 18th-century English style, lightly sweetened or rounder, halfway between genever and London Dry. It is back in favour for classic cocktails.GlossarySee Old Tom gins Gin is The Glasgow Distillery Company's take on the historic Old Tom style, bottled at 43% ABV. The official page links the style to the sweeter gins of the 18th century, but the Makar version keeps the brand's juniper-forwardJuniper-forwardA classic profile where juniper clearly dominates, with resinous, piney notes.Glossary character at the centre. Fresh orange, almonds and anise are combined with juniper and other supporting botanicals, then a small amount of honey is blended in after distillation to give texture and a subtle sweet finish.

Citrus · Spicy · Floral · Herbal

The botanical profile differs clearly from Makar Original Dry. The citrus moves from lemon to orange, rosemary and cassia give way to almond and anise, and honey adds a rounded mouthfeel without turning the gin into a liqueur. Juniper berriesJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary, fresh orange, black pepper, angelica rootAngelicaThe root of a tall umbellifer, earthy and musky. After juniper and coriander it is the most common botanical: it binds the aromas and holds the finish.Glossary, coriander seeds, liquorice, almond and honey are listed in the official product overview, with anise confirmed in the longer description. The result is warmer and more generous than the dry ginDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins, but still structured by spice and botanicals.

The nose opens with juniper before softer floral notes, honey and freshly cut coriander come forward.

On the palate, liquorice and honeyed almond give a richer centre, while coriander and black pepper prevent the sweetness from becoming heavy. The finish is dry and crisp, with a lingering sweetness that fits the Old Tom category while preserving Makar's direct style. It is a useful bridge between classic gin and richer cocktail traditions.

Makar recommends Indian tonic waterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary, fresh ice and a fresh orange slice. The serve works because orange mirrors the recipe and gives aromatic lift, while Indian tonic keeps the finish bitter enough. It also belongs naturally in Old Tom cocktails such as a Tom CollinsTom CollinsA long drink of gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, served over ice in a tall glass.Glossary or Martinez, where the gentle sweetness has a structural role. For a simple G&T, keep the orange fresh and thinly cut so it brightens the gin without dominating the almond, honey and spice.