Oppidan Old Tom Gin

Oppidan Old Tom Gin is a Massachusetts-made gin from Esplanda, and the Old Tom name tells you where it sits on the gin spectrum. Old Tom is the historical style that falls between the dry, juniper-sharp London Dry and the malty, rounder Genever. Expect a gin with juniper still in the lead but a softer edge: a touch of sweetness or a fuller, rounder body that dry gins don't have. The details provided don't include a botanical list or proof, so treat the flavor notes here as what the style usually delivers, not a measured profile of this bottle. Typical Old Tom profiles pair piney juniper with citrus peel, a faint spice from coriander or similar botanicals, and a gentle sweetness on the finish. That roundness makes it a good choice for the older gin cocktails, which were written with Old Tom in mind. In a Martinez, the Martini's forerunner, it needs only sweet vermouth, a dash of bitters and a little maraschino. In a Tom Collins, which takes its name from the style, the gin's body holds up against lemon juice, simple syrup and soda, and you may want slightly less syrup than a recipe written for London Dry. In a Negroni, the gin's softness takes some of the edge off Campari's bitterness. A Martini works too if you like a gentler, less austere one. Stir it with a dash of orange bitters and finish with a lemon twist. For a Gin & Tonic, use a balloon glass or a tall highball filled with plenty of large, cold ice. Pour about one part gin to two or three parts tonic. Because the gin leans a little sweet, a dry, crisp tonic keeps the drink from turning cloying. A wide strip of grapefruit or lemon peel suits the citrus side, and a sprig of rosemary or thyme brings out the herbal, piney notes. Neat or on a single large cube, it also shows off the fuller texture that sets the style apart from drier gins.