Introducing Cosy: Our Old Tom style gin

If you could imagine the warmest, cosiest emotion, how would you describe it? Would it smell like cinnamon? Would it taste like grandma's apple pie? Would it feel like the heat of ginger? Or would you simply say: Parson Cosy? Let's snuggle into this marvelous time of the year with our Old Tom gin made of orange, apples, and winter spices.

But first – back to basics! What does 'Old Tom' even mean?

An Old Tom gin is known for being a bit sweeter than London Dry Gin, yet it is less sweet than malty Dutch genever. In the past, it was sweetened to improve the taste of spirits that weren't distilled perfectly or to make it more enjoyable overall. But make no mistake—nowadays, the sweetness of a gin has nothing to do with its quality. The contemporary Old Tom style emerged as a response to the demand for more palatable and refined spirits.

The origin of the name itself has multiple theories, with one saying Old Tom gin gets its name from 18th-century England when gin was dispensed through black cat-shaped plaques, called 'Tom cats', mounted on pub walls. It was a discreet method of serving gin during a period when gin consumption was subject to regulations. Additionally, there's a theory that 'Old Tom' might have been a nod to the Dutch term 'Oude Tom', which could have been used to describe an aged or matured style of gin.

Just like the rest of our gin family members are perfect for mixology, Parson Cosy is also an unmistakable choice for crafting delicious mixed drinks. In general, we recommend this gin for cocktails where gin can replace whiskey, such as the Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour, while in wintertime, you can use it to make a heavenly hot gin. Although gin is typically served with tonic or mixed in cocktails, our Old Tom-style gin can easily be drunk neat as well.

Cosy in Boston, twist  on a whiskey sour cocktail

 
Whichever option you choose, make sure the first sip is followed by a kiss under the mistletoe! ;)