First Impressions
Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom is an audacious creation from Maison Ferrand's Extremes series. Toasted brown sugar is first aged in former spirit barrels, then added to Citadelle Reserve gin, and the entire sweetened, aged gin is aged a further four months in cask. The result is golden straw in colour and unlike any other Old Tom.
Tasting
The nose shows golden raisin, cinnamon, baked lemon and refreshing juniper with cardamom and jasmine. On the palate, rich and lush with almond, cinnamon and nutmeg — candied lemon zest and anise with a sweet-bitter profile, almost rum-like sweetness from the toasted aged sugar. The finish is floral, spicy and woody with violet, angelica and liquorice.
The Bottom Line
Citadelle No Mistake Old Tom earns an 8 for sheer ambition. The multi-stage ageing of both sugar and gin creates complexity that simple sugar addition cannot match. It is extremely bold — sweet and almost rum-like — and may not suit traditionalists, but as an Old Tom it pushes the boundaries of the style.
