First Impressions
No.3 is Berry Bros. & Rudd's flagship gin, named after their address at 3 St James's Street — London's oldest wine and spirits merchant, trading since 1698. The distinctive key on the bottle was inspired by a historic key found in their cellars. Only six botanicals go into this gin, distilled in Holland in a century-old brick-encased copper pot still by De Kuyper.
Tasting
The nose puts juniper to the fore, supported by floral notes and spicy warm cardamom, with piney character, nutty balsa wood, and grapefruit-orange zest freshness. On the palate, cardamom meets coriander, clean juniper, grapefruit and white pepper. Citrus zing is complemented by gingery coriander spiciness and earthy angelica dryness. The finish is long, dry, spicy, and peppery.
The Bottom Line
No.3 earns a 9 for demonstrating that six botanicals can achieve what thirty cannot always manage. It has won World's Best Gin at the International Spirits Challenge four times — 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2019 — and remains the only unaged spirit to win Supreme Champion Spirit. At around £40, every penny justified by a clarity of flavour that elevates it above most London Drys on the market.
