What is an Old Tom Gin?

An Old Tom or True English Old Tom Gin is a classic Victorian gin of the 19th century and pre-dates the London Dry gin.

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Old Tom gin is a historically significant style of English gin that emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries and gained widespread popularity during the Victorian era. Distinct from the drier London Dry and the maltier Dutch Genever, Old Tom was slightly sweetened with sugar or sugar syrup added after distillation, creating a smoother, more approachable spirit. This sweetness, combined with a richer botanical aroma, helped mask the harshness and impurities of early British bathtub gins, making it a favorite among drinkers of the period. Old Tom played a central role in classic Victorian-era cocktails such as the Martinez and Tom Collins, exemplifying its versatility and enduring influence on mixology.

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The name “Old Tom” is linked to a famous legend from the Gin Craze in London, when strict licensing laws and taxes on gin led to creative dispensing methods. Wooden black cat plaques, known as “Old Tom,” were mounted outside pubs.

Patrons would insert a coin into a slot under the cat’s paw, which would then dispense a shot of gin through a tube directly into their glass, bypassing legal restrictions. Although Old Tom nearly disappeared in the 20th century, it has experienced a revival in the modern craft cocktail era, with distillers reintroducing historic recipes that honour its Victorian heritage, sweet profile, and distinctive botanical complexity.