HAPPYCAT OLD TOM GIN

The story of Old Tom Gin is a colorful one, originating in 18th-century England at a time when the government cracked down on excessive gin consumption by imposing high taxes. The penalties were steep for avoiding these new fees, and many unscrupulous vendors did their utmost to get around the rules. The story goes that to avoid the taxes and getting caught, some pubs affixed wooden plaques to the outside wall of the pub, fashioned like a black cat (hence the name Old Tom.) Under the cat’s paw was a slot to insert money and a tube; from the tube would be poured a shot of gin by the bartender inside. Slightly sweeter than Distilled or London Dry Gin, our Happycat Old Tom Gin is soft on the palate and aromatic, enjoyable neat or mixed in a gin and tonic. We recommend Indian or Mediterranean-style tonic garnished with a slice of orange or kumquat.