Jensen's Old Tom London Gin
Jensen's · Bermondsey Distillery (Thames Distillers)
Christian Jensen spent years researching nineteenth-century recipes to reconstruct an authentic Old Tom profile. The result is not a novelty — it is a genuine revival, offering a window into what gin tasted like before London Dry became the dominant style. Essential for anyone building a historically informed Martinez or Tom Collins.
Nose
A distinctive malty sweetness underpins the juniper, which presents as herbaceous and waxy rather than aggressive. Subtle coriander and angelica root provide an earthy backbone, while a gentle lemon note floats above. There is a curious almond-like quality in the background.
Palate
Silky and slightly sweet without being sugary, the malt-forward character recalls Victorian-era gin styles. Juniper stays present throughout but in a supporting role, allowing the liquorice, angelica, and orris root to share the stage. A peppery warmth develops mid-palate.
Finish
Medium length, with lingering liquorice, a fading juniper herbaceousness, and a dry, slightly nutty close.
- Style
- Old Tom Gin
- Botanicals
- Classic gin botanicals with a focus on roots and spices.
- Base Spirit
- Grain neutral spirits.
- Distillation
- Single-shot pot distillation at Thames Distillers
Cocktail Suggestion
The Martinez — 1.5 oz Jensen's Old Tom Gin · 1.5 oz sweet vermouth · 0.25 oz Luxardo maraschino · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir with ice, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a lemon twist.
Food Pairing
Smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche and dill
Christian Jensen, a former IT professional turned obsessive gin historian, spent years in London's archives decoding Victorian distilling records before partnering with Thames Distillers to produce what may be the most historically accurate Old Tom gin on the market.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin
Isle of Raasay
Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin is a study in clarity through constraint — a tight botanical bill drawn from the island's own terrain, distilled with disciplined intent. It proves that limitation breeds focus: every botanical earns its place, nothing competes, and the result is a gin of luminous transparency. A quiet triumph from one of Scotland's most purposeful young distilleries.
New Riff Distilling Kentucky Wild Gin
New Riff Distilling
New Riff's Kentucky Wild Gin is a beautifully aerated spirit—distilled with a thoughtful openness to the botanicals' natural character. It's proof that a whiskey-focused distillery can channel that same reverence for terroir and process into a gin of real poise and clarity. A versatile, sippable gin that breathes Kentucky air.
Cadenhead's Old Raj Dry Gin
Cadenhead's
Old Raj is a gin of rare character—the saffron infusion turns a classic juniper-forward profile into something genuinely singular, perfect for the waning warmth of November. Its navy strength makes it a commanding presence in cocktails or neat, and its Scottish provenance from one of the oldest independent bottlers in the world lends quiet authority. A gin that feels like the last golden light before winter.
Ford's Gin Officers' Reserve Navy Strength Gin
Ford's Gin
Officers' Reserve is the rare navy strength gin that earns its extra proof through genuine complexity rather than brute force. The brief Oloroso sherry cask rest is a masterclass in restraint—adding just enough richness to elevate the classic Ford's botanical profile without obscuring it. A gin that rewards trust in the process, and in the craft of blending tradition with innovation.