Rock Rose Pink Grapefruit Old Tom Gin. Dunnet Bay Distillers, Dunnet, Caithness, Scotland a lightly sweetened Old Tom expression from the UK’s most northerly mainland distillery, built on the Rock Rose original botanical foundation with organic pink grapefruit peel added through vapor infusion and a touch of muscovado sugar.

Rock Rose Pink Grapefruit Old Tom has an unusual origin story: it began life as the winning entry in the distillery’s Design a Rock Rose Gin Label competition in 2016, released as a limited Artists’ Edition. Its popularity led founders Claire and Martin Murray to bring it back in 2019 in a fresher, refined version. The key botanical addition is organic pink grapefruit peel, lovingly peeled by the distillery team and added to the botanical basket for vapor infusion alongside all of Rock Rose’s original 18 botanicals the Rhodiola rosea, rowan berries, sea buckthorn, blaeberries, Italian and Bulgarian juniper, cardamom, and others that define the flagship gin.

What makes this an Old Tom rather than a dry gin is the light addition of muscovado sugar post-distillation just enough to round the edges and add a caramel-like depth that balances the grapefruit’s tartness. Old Tom gin is the historical bridge between the sweeter genever-style gins of the 18th century and modern London Dry, and it suits fruit-led expressions particularly well. The result drinks brighter and more citrusy than the original Rock Rose, with the grapefruit’s zest and a subtle sweetness working in harmony.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Bright and zesty fresh organic pink grapefruit peel dominates with citrus vibrancy, supported by the floral botanicals of the original Rock Rose: cardamom, rowan berry, and a hint of sea buckthorn.
• Palate: Fresh and citrusy but very well balanced. Grapefruit zest leads cleanly before juniper and the Rock Rose botanical character assert themselves. Lovely notes of vanilla appear from the muscovado sweetener, balancing the fruit.
• Finish: Lasting sweetness with a depth of grapefruit tang. The muscovado adds a warm, caramel-like close. Long and satisfying.

Specs

• Distillery: Dunnet Bay Distillers, Dunnet, Caithness, Scotland
• Style: Old Tom Gin (lightly sweetened)
• Key Addition: Organic pink grapefruit peel (vapor infused); muscovado sugar (post-distillation)
• Botanical Base: Full Rock Rose original 18-botanical recipe including Rhodiola rosea, rowan berries, sea buckthorn, blaeberries, dual juniper (Italy & Bulgaria), cardamom, and others
• ABV: 41.5% (83 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Rock Rose Pink Grapefruit Old Tom taste like? Fresh and vibrant on the nose with bright organic pink grapefruit zest and the floral Rock Rose botanicals. The palate is citrusy and balanced with grapefruit, juniper, and vanilla from the muscovado sweetener. The finish is long with grapefruit tang and warm caramel sweetness.
• What is Old Tom gin? Old Tom is a lightly sweetened style of gin that sits historically between the sweeter genever and modern dry London Dry. Sugar or sweetener is added after distillation, rounding the spirit and softening the botanical profile without making it a liqueur.
• How is the grapefruit added? Organic pink grapefruit peel is added to the botanical basket inside the still and vapor-infused spirit vapour passes through the peel, extracting its aromatic oils at a lower temperature than maceration, preserving their freshness and vibrancy.
• Is Rock Rose Pink Grapefruit Old Tom sweeter than the original Rock Rose? Yes the addition of muscovado sugar makes it noticeably softer and rounder. But it is not sweet in the way a liqueur is; the sugar is restrained, adding texture and balance rather than sweetness as a primary flavour.
• What cocktails is it best in? Outstanding in a G&T with light tonic and fresh pink grapefruit peel garnish. Also excellent in a Tom Collins or any citrus-forward shaken cocktail where the Old Tom sweetness complements sour elements beautifully.

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