🍸🐈 Old Tom Gin: the classic gin flavor that came back from oblivion

Old Tom gin · classic gin · Hayman’s Old Tom · gin in Xaló

There are gins that tell stories.
And others, like Old Tom, that are liquid history.
A style born in the alleys of London, among taverns, clandestine distillers, and black cats guarding the secret of the most sought-after gin.

At Bouquet Xaló, we pay tribute to this essential classic with the authentic Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, a gin that retrieves the original recipe with its perfect balance of sweetness, spices, and botanical freshness.

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📜 Origin: 18th Century London

The history of Old Tom Gin begins in 18th century England, when homemade gin distillation had spread like wildfire and authorities sought to curb it.

Since pubs couldn't openly advertise that they sold gin, they would hang a small figure of a black cat (Old Tom) on the facade.
Customers would deposit coins in its mouth, and through a small pipe, they would receive their clandestine dose of gin.

But this was not a London Dry: it was a sweeter, smoother gin, intended to mask the harsh flavors of the rudimentary spirits of the time.

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🌿 What is an Old Tom Gin like?

Old Tom is the missing link between Dutch genever and contemporary London Dry:

• Sweeter and rounder than a London Dry, but drier than genever.
• With classic aromas of juniper, citrus, angelica root, coriander...
• And an added sweet touch (sometimes sugar, sometimes malt liqueur) that makes it perfect for classic cocktails.

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🍸 Classic Cocktails with Old Tom Gin

Old Tom Gin is the original base of legendary cocktails such as:

• Tom Collins: Old Tom, lemon juice, sugar, and soda. Fresh and bubbly.
• Martínez: Old Tom, sweet vermouth, maraschino, and a dash of bitters. The predecessor of the Dry Martini.
• Gin Punch, Gin Rickey, and other Victorian recipes that are back in fashion.

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🛒 Hayman’s Old Tom: the true essence at Bouquet Xaló

In our shop you can find Hayman’s Old Tom, made by the Hayman family, direct descendants of the original gin producers in London.

Hayman’s revives the authentic 19th-century recipe, offering a gin that is:

• Aromatic, elegant, with balanced sweetness.
• Perfect for cocktails as well as for enjoying on its own with ice and a lemon twist.
• With a classic yet modern character, ideal for curious palates.

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📍 Discover it in Xaló

You can find Hayman’s Old Tom in our physical store in Xaló or at bouquetxalo.com, where we select spirits with soul, history, and authenticity.

And if you wish, we can prepare a gin tasting for you to discover the fascinating world of gin, from London Dry to Old Tom and the most botanical ones.

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🥂 Toast with us to the classics that never go out of style.
Because some flavors don't need to be reinvented, only remembered.