Notes: One of the vey few (if not the only) “Old Tom” style gins available in the US market (click for info! above for more about “Old Tom”).

Appearance: Crystal clear, thick, scalloped edges develop on swirling, changing to long legs on the side of the glass. Slightly oily / thickness to body (sign of quality and lots of flavor).

First Impression: Heavy juniper with cardamom, angelica and a hints citrus a very heavy, complex and delightful bouquet. Other spices/scents are honeysuckle, mint, orange/tangerine, with cassia and orris root lingering around the edges.

Taste: Heavy silky plush entry body, lots of weight and mouthfeel to it. Luscious orange, citrus and spice blend. While sweet not as much as one would think from the old literature. Mild tingling on the lips and tongue. Very clean distillation and wonderful blending.

Drinks: Finally you can use to make all those recipes from those old drinks books. Most pre-prohibition books did not use London Dry Gin. They called for either Old Tom or they specified Holland or Dutch Gin to make a less aromatic and much more malty drink – using the wrong variety was like using the wrong type of vermouth in a drink – vastly different (and possibly undrinkable) result

Bottle: Clear glass, not frosted,colored or in any other way obscuring the contents. Rectangular with smoothed off edges to it. Dark green paper label (with the obligatory “Old tom” black cat at top of label) and a engraving scene from a old gin palace printed on the back label so as to appear through the gin when looking at the front of the botttle. Package is finished with black neck wrap and screwcap .

Final Thoughts: A must have for a new gin addition to your bar and very necessary for a lot of classic drinks. Delicous, different enough to make a give a whole new twist to your London Dry drinks and a whole new horizon for new cocktails. Also a number of London Dry Gin cocktails call for sweetening – if you use this gin you probably won’t have too. Price is excellent for what you are getting.

Website:http://www.alpenz.com

Website has some useful information but a bit terse compared to some. More pictures and an expanded history would be useful.