E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Old Tom.
Cordial gin. Thomas Norris, one of the men employed in Messrs. Hodges’ distillery, opened a gin palace in Great Russell Street, Covent Garden, and called the gin concocted by Thomas Chamberlain, one of the firm of Hodges, “Old Tom,” in compliment to his former master.
