Launched at the Aberdeen Gin Fest in July 2018, The House of Botanicals Maple Old Tom Gin was originally discovered in old newspaper archives whilst bartending back in 2010, with our variant created during the Research & Development stage of our Old Tom Gin introducing a floral and spicy edge to accompany the dominant juniper flavour. It was initially launched as a limited edition batch of 1112 bottles but relaunched as a permanent addition to our portfolio in March 2019.
Though new to the present marketplace and with our recipe adapted to suit modern tastes, the history of Maple Gin goes back over 100 years, originally being manufactured by the Buffalo Distilling Company of New York between 1893 and 1918, before the distillery succumbed to the influence of the Temperance Movement and the devastation of Prohibition, taking with it this unique style of gin. The Buffalo Distillery recently reopened in March of 2017, now producing bourbon, apple brandy and vodka.
For The House of Botanicals Maple Old Tom Gin we use the same base gin as with our classic Old Tom. This is distilled in London with juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel, before being shipped to the House of Botanicals where we add saffron, chamomile flowers and spicy ginger root post distillation, and lightly sweeten with maple syrup, at less than 25g per litre. The Maple Old Tom Gin is bottled at 47% abv.
The Coat of Arms branding found on our Old Tom Gin is still present, with the Panther and Dragon in place to symbolise the Aberdeen and London Coat of Arms, though further adapting to incorporate the Canadian Flag and the colour red which is synonymous with our hometown.
Key Botanicals
Juniper Berries, Angelica Root, Orris Root, Coriander Seed, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Cassia Bark, Almond, Saffron, Chamomile Flowers, Ginger Root, Maple Syrup