Spring44 Old Tom Gin

Spring44 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 a 44% ABV gin aged in toasted Chardonnay barrels, with a warm tan colour from its time in wood. The distillery lists certified-organic juniper, toasted coriander, orris root, galangal root, fresh grapefruit peel, fresh rosemary and lemongrass. Its own tasting notes describe juniper up front, light ginger and vanilla on the nose, then citrus, toasted spice and a long finish with warm spice.

Citrus · Woody · Spicy

The barrel changes the first impression before the glass is even lifted: the spirit has a deeper hue than a clear 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, while the aroma joins juniper to soft vanilla and a little ginger.

On the palate, the botanical recipe keeps the gin's familiar dry, aromatic character; grapefruit peel brings brightness, rosemary and lemongrass offer a fresh herbal counterpoint, and toasted coriander and galangal contribute a gentle warmth. The toasted Chardonnay cask rounds the edges, and the finish lingers with spice rather than a sugary sweetness.

For the Perfect ServePerfect serveThe way the producer recommends serving the gin (glass, tonic, ratio, garnish) to show it at its best.Glossary, Spring44's Old Tom on the Rocks keeps things deliberately simple. Pour 6 cl of Old Tom over a large clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary cube in a rocks glassRocks glassA short, heavy glass (tumbler) for a spirit over a large ice cube or a short cocktail.Glossary then express a broad orange peel over the glass and add it to the drink. As the ice melts, the cool dilution opens the juniper, citrus and barrel notes gradually. The producer also lists several cocktails for this gin, but the neat-on-ice version makes the effect of the toasted Chardonnay barrel easiest to follow.

This is a useful choice for drinkers who want the rounded character of a barrel-rested gin without losing the botanical detail. It can be sipped slowly over ice or used in a Martinez or Old Tom Negroni, where its oak and warm spice can meet vermouth and bitters. Keep the garnish straightforward and let the orange peel complement the grapefruit botanicals. At 44%, it holds its shape in a stirred cocktail, while a small amount of water softens the first sip and brings the citrus into clearer focus.