First Impressions
Orkney Gin Company's Christmas Old Tom is a special edition that captures the festive season in an Old Tom framework. All-natural and handmade with whole fruit — lemons, oranges, wintery dried fruits — alongside cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. The Old Tom sweetness creates a liqueur-like indulgence, and the London Spirits Competition Silver 2024 confirms the quality.
Tasting
The nose resembles the best festive candle — cosy candied fruits, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and citrus. On the palate, strong cinnamon and orange evoke pain d'épice — smooth, gently sweet, and properly festive without being sickly. Christmas pie and gingerbread character. The finish is warming with pronounced cinnamon and festive spice.
The Bottom Line
Orkney Christmas Old Tom earns a 7.5 as the definitive festive gin — all-natural ingredients creating genuine Christmas warmth without artificial sweetness. At around £42, the seasonal limited production justifies the price. Christmas from Orkney.
