Hayman’s renames gin to avoid cask-rested label

Hayman’s has renamed its cask rested 1850 Reserve gin in an effort to distance the product from other cask rested products that are “more about innovation than history”.

Hayman’s 1850 Reserve, which was launched in 2011, is modelled after gins served in Victorian gin palaces before the 1861 Bottle Act and rested in used Scotch whisky barrels for three weeks for a “smooth and rounded” character.

In an effort to “remain true to this style rather than be categorised as a cask rested or barrel aged gin,” the family-owned distiller, based in Witham, Essex, has renamed its oaked gin Hayman’s Family Reserve.

James Hayman, managing director of Hayman Distillers, said: “We have watched with interest the increase of cask rested gins since we introduced Hayman’s 1850 in 2011. However, we believe this category is now more about innovation rather than history.

“To our family, gin is about the botanicals – not the impact of the wood. The impact of the cask is minimal; first and foremost it is a fine gin that is versatile for classic and modern cocktails. That is where we see its place on the back bar.”

Hayman’s Family Reserve, which is released in limited batches of 5,000 bottles, will replace Hayman’s 1850 in the on- and off-trade.

It is one of six expressions produced by the distiller, which include Hayman’s London Dry Gin, Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Hayman’s Slow Gin, Royal Dock Navy Strength and Hayman’s Gin Liqueur.