Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin

Tom Cat Gin is Barr Hill Gin from Caledonia Spirits in Vermont, rested in American oak barrels for 4 to 6 months and bottled at 43% ABV. That barrel time puts it in the "aged" or "barrel-rested" gin category. It is a different drink from a standard London dry. Expect the juniper-led gin character to still be present, but softened and rounded by wood. Styles like this usually add a pale straw to light amber color and notes of vanilla, toasted oak and gentle spice. The result is gin that sits between a clear gin and a lightly aged whiskey. The name comes from the black cat signs that hung outside English pubs after the Gin Acts of the 1730s. The cat marked a discreet spot where gin could be bought during the era of illicit production. That profile suggests drinking it differently from a bright, citrus-heavy gin. In a Negroni, the oak adds depth against Campari and sweet vermouth, and a 1:1:1 build over a large cube with an orange peel is the obvious use. A Martini works well too, stirred and served very cold. Use a dry vermouth and a lemon twist, or try a split of Tom Cat with a lighter gin if the wood comes through too strongly. A Tom Collins is a good option when you want a longer, fruitier drink. Lemon juice, simple syrup and soda keep the barrel notes in the background while adding a faint toasted note. A Gin & Tonic needs some care. Pick a lightly flavored tonic and don't use too much of it, so the oak isn't buried. A balloon glass or a tall highball, filled with plenty of ice, suits it. A wide orange or grapefruit peel pairs better with the barrel character than lime. A sprig of rosemary or thyme also works if you want a herbal edge. At 43% ABV, it can also be poured neat or over a single large cube in a rocks glass, where the oak and the juniper are easiest to pick out.