Hammer & Son Old English Gin

Difford's Guide
Discerning Drinkers (2 ratings)

alc./vol: 44%

Proof: 88°

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: Unaged

Product of: Product of United Kingdom United Kingdom

As the name suggests, this gin sets out to replicate an original style of English gin, a slightly sweetened distilled gin which many people refer to as Old Tom. Old English Gin is distilled at Langley Distillery using a John Dore copper pot still called Angela, the oldest such gin still in use today

The recipe used dates back to 1783, one of many old recipes in the safe at Langley, and uses 11 botanicals. Ten of these botanicals are readily communicated by the brand owner Henrik Hammer (of Geranium Gin fame) and one is something of a secret. The ten are: juniper, coriander, lemon, orange, angelica, cassia, liquorice, cinnamon, orris and nutmeg. A hidden message on the brand's graphics hints at the identity of the 11th botanical - the rounded triangular silhouette of the cross-section of a cardamom seed sits above the shield on the bottle.

In his own (hidden and clever way) Henrik wanted to emphasise the use of cardamom as he distils this separately himself, "because cardamom is a very dominant botanical and I want to make sure that the balance of the gin is absolutely perfect."

After the distillations (by Langley and Henrik) a small amount (4 grams per litre) of sugar is added to the blended distillates prior to bottling at London's Thames Distillery, as many believe is in keeping with the old English style of gin (Old Tom).

The use of a recycled champagne bottle (not from recycled glass but washed and reused) harks back to a time when gin would be sold from the barrel and transported from the shop in whatever container was at hand. This silkscreen printed bottle is sealed with a natural cork and organic wax - the soft wax is easy to cut and you'll need a cork screw to pull the driven cork.

Take a closer look at the bottle and you'll find another hidden clue in the graphics which relates to Henrik's father's name, Hudi. He was named after Rud Hud Hudibras, the ancient British King, and had four sons. If you look at the shield you will find one of his initials on each of the four hammers.

launched in March 2012.

Review and Tasting


Sampled on 17/03/2012

Appearance:

Crystal clear.

Aroma:

Classic musky, nutty angelica aromas of damp wood and mushrooms lead the nose with pine fresh juniper. Rubbery liquorice, cassia, earthy-clean hamster cage orris root and relatively faint citrus aromas.

Taste:

Superbly rounded palate with juniper just rising to the fore with the other 10 botanicals presented as a uniform front. The sugar content is hard to discern other than by the soft mouth feel.

Aftertaste:

Long, slightly hot pepper, lingering juniper finish with citrus notes more pronounced than on the palate or nose.

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Product Information

Bottle Size: 700 ml
Closure: Natural driven cork

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