Old Tom gin occupies an interesting position in the broader gin landscape — historically it served as a bridge between the rough, unrefined spirits of the 18th century and the cleaner London Dry style that followed. Today, distillers return to it for different reasons: to explore a softer, more rounded expression, or to honour the category’s pre-industrial roots. Aviation Old Tom does both, and it does so with the quiet confidence that has come to define the Aviation brand since its founding in Portland, Oregon.
Background: Aviation Gin and the Old Tom Expression
Aviation Gin was established in Portland in 2006 and quickly earned a reputation for its American New Western style — a deliberate departure from the juniper-forward orthodoxy of classic London Dry. The brand is produced at House Spirits Distillery, a facility that has long been associated with thoughtful, craft-led production in the Pacific Northwest. Aviation’s flagship expression attracted considerable mainstream attention in 2018 when actor Ryan Reynolds became a co-owner, but the distillery’s commitment to quality predates that partnership considerably.
Aviation Old Tom arrives as a natural extension of the brand’s existing character. Rather than reinventing the gin, the distillers have taken their established botanical blueprint and introduced a measured degree of sweetness — consistent with the Old Tom tradition — to soften and round the spirit’s edges. It is bottled at 42% ABV, keeping it approachable without sacrificing presence.
Botanicals and Flavour Profile
Aviation’s botanical bill has always leaned away from dominant juniper, giving prominence instead to floral and herbaceous elements. The core expression features cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, and dried sweet orange peel alongside juniper. In the Old Tom expression, these same botanicals carry through, with the added dimension of sweetness that the style requires.
On the nose, one might reasonably expect the lavender and cardamom to lead — soft, aromatic, and gently spiced, with juniper present but restrained. The palate is likely to reflect that same balance: a smooth, almost creamy texture from the sweetening, with the herbal and floral notes weaving through rather than competing. The anise and sarsaparilla may lend a faint root-like depth that distinguishes this from more citrus-dominant Old Tom expressions. The finish is expected to be measured and clean, with a warmth that lingers without becoming assertive.
For those who appreciate the Four Pillars Old Tom Gin — another thoughtfully constructed expression from the Southern Hemisphere — Aviation Old Tom offers an interesting point of comparison. Where Four Pillars leans into oaked complexity, Aviation stays unaged and brighter, with its Pacific Northwest botanical character intact.
How to Drink It
Old Tom gin rewards serves that allow its softness and sweetness to work with the drink rather than against it. Aviation Old Tom is particularly well suited to classic cocktails with historical roots in the style.
The Tom Collins is perhaps the most natural pairing. The gin’s floral lift and gentle sweetness complement the sharp brightness of fresh lemon juice, while the soda water keeps everything light and open. Serve in a tall glass with plenty of ice and a lemon wheel.
The Martinez — widely considered a precursor to the Martini and traditionally made with Old Tom gin — is worth exploring here. Combined with sweet vermouth, a dash of maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters, Aviation Old Tom’s lavender and cardamom notes may produce a genuinely nuanced result. Serve in a chilled coupe with an expressed orange twist.
On the rocks, Aviation Old Tom holds its own as a contemplative pour. A wide rocks glass, a single large ice cube, and perhaps a sprig of fresh lavender as garnish — this is a quiet, unhurried way to appreciate the gin’s botanical composition.
For those new to Old Tom as a category, a light tonic with a cardamom pod and orange slice offers an accessible entry point that lets the gin speak clearly.
Who Will Appreciate This Gin
Aviation Old Tom speaks most naturally to drinkers who already find themselves drawn to the original Aviation expression — those who prefer floral, herbaceous profiles over pine-forward juniper intensity. If you have found traditional London Dry gins overly assertive but enjoy gin’s aromatic complexity, the Old Tom format may offer a more comfortable meeting point.
It also holds considerable appeal for cocktail-minded drinkers who want to explore classic recipes in their proper historical context. There is genuine satisfaction in mixing a Martinez or a Ramos Gin Fizz with a gin that is stylistically consistent with what those drinks were originally built around.
Those who appreciate the botanically inventive work of American craft distilleries — or who have enjoyed expressions like St. George Terroir Gin or Ransom Dry Gin, both of which reflect the thoughtful, unconventional character of West Coast American gin production — will likely find Aviation Old Tom a familiar and welcoming addition to their collection.
It is perhaps less suited to those who come to gin specifically for its resinous, juniper-forward qualities, or who prefer their spirits completely dry. The sweetness here is measured, not cloying, but it is present, and it shapes the experience from start to finish.
Verdict
Aviation Old Tom is a considered, well-constructed expression that expands the brand’s range without departing from its established identity. It honours the Old Tom tradition — softly sweetened, botanically expressive, and historically aware — while remaining distinctly American in character. For those curious about the style or looking to deepen their gin repertoire, it is a worthwhile bottle to explore.