What does the labelling term 'Old Tom' typically indicate about a spirit?

The term 'Old Tom' refers to a style of gin that is generally sweeter than London Dry gin, but this sweetness is not legally defined. This means that while 'Old Tom' gins will typically exhibit a softer, more rounded flavor profile due to additional sugar or botanicals, there is no specific regulatory framework governing the exact levels of sweetness in these products.

This allows producers some flexibility in crafting their spirits under the 'Old Tom' label, resulting in a variety of interpretations regarding taste and sweetness. Consequently, while consumers can expect a certain character from an Old Tom gin, it can vary significantly from one brand to another, reflecting individual distillers' approaches and styles.

Therefore, the lack of legal definition around the sweetness in Old Tom gin reinforces that it relates to the spirit's classification rather than a strict regulatory guideline.