Ableforth's Bathtub Gin Old Tom
Ableforth's · Ableforth's (Master of Malt)
Ableforth's Bathtub Old Tom captures the liminal warmth of dusk—sweeter and more meditative than its London Dry sibling, yet never cloying. Its cold-compounded botanical infusion method gives it a rounded, layered character that rewards slow sipping. A gin that belongs to the golden hour.
Nose
A dusky, honeyed sweetness rises first, wreathed in candied juniper and soft orange blossom. Warm cardamom and cassia bark mingle beneath, lending a spiced twilight quality. A whisper of clove and dried botanicals lingers at the edges.
Palate
The palate opens with lush, sweetened juniper and baking spice, bridging the gap between classic dry gin and something warmer, more contemplative. Coriander seed and cinnamon-bark warmth coat the mid-palate, while a gentle citrus brightness—orange peel dried in late-afternoon sun—keeps things balanced. The slightly viscous, sweetened body gives it a pillowy, enveloping texture.
Finish
Medium length, trailing off with soft juniper resin, a touch of liquorice, and lingering warmth of cassia. A gentle sweetness hangs like the last light before dark.
- Style
- Old Tom Gin
- Botanicals
- Juniper, coriander, orange peel, cassia bark/cinnamon, cloves, cardamom
- Base Spirit
- Grain neutral spirit
- Distillation
- Cold-compounded: botanicals infused directly into a copper pot-distilled grain spirit, then filtered
Cocktail Suggestion
The Gloaming Martinez — 1½ oz Ableforth's Bathtub Old Tom · 1½ oz sweet vermouth · ¼ oz maraschino liqueur · 2 dashes orange bitters · Stir with ice, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a flamed orange peel.
Food Pairing
The Old Tom's sweetened juniper and cassia spice mirror the caramelized honey glaze on the duck, while the gin's orange and coriander notes lift the jammy richness of roasted figs. A side of bitter radicchio dressed in sherry vinegar provides the perfect counterpoint.
Cold-compounded in small batches by infusing a base gin with botanicals and then gently filtering, Ableforth's Bathtub Old Tom revives a pre-Victorian style with artisan charm—each bottle hand-sealed with wax and wrapped in brown paper like a whispered secret.
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