The 2026 International London Spirits Competition has concluded its ninth edition, awarding No.3 Gin the top honor of Spirit of the Year alongside a Double Gold medal and a 98-point score. The competition drew entries from more than 30 countries and assembled a judging panel of over 70 industry professionals to evaluate spirits on quality, value, and packaging.
No.3 Gin is crafted by Berry Bros. & Rudd, one of the oldest wine and spirits merchants in the UK, with global distribution handled by Edrington.
The gin was developed over two years in collaboration with Dr. David Clutton and leading mixologists. It was designed to serve as a benchmark London Dry Gin, particularly suited to classic serves such as the Martini.
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READ THE STORYThe brand’s packaging draws inspiration from the historic No.3 St James’s Street address in London, reinforcing its premium positioning.
Berry Bros. & Rudd traces its origins back more than 320 years, operating from the same St James’s Street premises since 1698. The firm holds two Royal Warrants and has long been regarded as one of Britain’s most storied drinks merchants. No.3 Gin has previously earned recognition at major international spirits competitions, and this latest win at the LSC further solidifies its standing among the world’s top gins.
The London Spirits Competition evaluates entries not solely on taste but also on value for money and packaging design. This three-pronged approach distinguishes it from many other industry awards programs.
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This year’s entries came from the UK, Australia, India, Italy, the United States, Mexico, the Netherlands, and numerous other markets. Gin, whisky, liqueur, rum, and vodka represented the most entered categories, followed by tequila, RTDs, and no- and low-alcohol beverages.
The judging panel featured prominent figures from across the spirits trade. Stephanie Macleod, Master Blender and Director of Blending for Scotch Whisky at Bacardi, served as a judge. Andrew de Lavis-Trafford, Head of Buying Spirits, Beers & Softs at Enotria Winecellars Ltd, also sat on the panel.
Craig Wallace, Whisky Creation Leader and Master Blender at Diageo, contributed his expertise. Billy Leighton, Master Blender Emeritus at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, was among the evaluators as well.
Claudia Carrozzi, Head of Beverage at Cunard and UKBG President, joined the roster alongside bartenders and hospitality professionals from venues including Dukes Hotel, Soho House & Co, The Donovan Bar, and The Wolseley Hospitality Group.
Nick Larsson-Bell, Senior Spirits and Beer Buyer at Harvey Nichols and Retail Buyer of the Year 2022, praised the competition’s format.
“I spent a couple of days at LSC, judging some fantastic spirits from across the world! It is a wonderful judging event that takes into account not just the liquid, but also the packaging and retail price. A great one for us buyers!” said Larsson-Bell.
Laura Willoughby MBE, Founder of Club Soda and a specialist in low- and no-alcohol drinks, also served on the panel. Christian Maspes, a food and beverage specialist, sake sommelier, and bar project developer, rounded out the diverse group of evaluators.
Beyond the Spirit of the Year title, the competition recognized standout performers across multiple categories.
Clarity Navy Gin from New Zealand earned Gin of the Year with a Double Gold medal and 98 points. Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka from Poland claimed both Vodka of the Year and Best Spirit by Value, also receiving a Double Gold and 98 points.
Root Shoot American Single Malt 4 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond earned a cluster of honors. The expression was named Spirit of the Year for the United States, Whisky of the Year, and American Single Malt Whiskey of the Year, scoring 97 points and a Double Gold.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon took Straight Bourbon of the Year with a Double Gold and 96 points. Indri Agneya Single Malt Indian Whisky earned Indian Single Malt Whiskey of the Year with a Gold medal and 95 points.
Red Comyn Single Malt Scotch Whisky secured Single Malt Scotch of the Year at 95 points and Gold. Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky from Australia claimed Rye Whiskey of the Year with a Gold medal and 93 points.
Kakira Dark Rum from Uganda was named Rum of the Year with a Double Gold and 96 points. The Ugandan distillery’s win highlights the growing diversity of rum production beyond traditional Caribbean and Latin American markets.
Herradura Reposado from Mexico earned Tequila of the Year with a Double Gold and 96 points. Courvoisier VS from France took Cognac of the Year with a Gold medal and 95 points.
Martin Albus Liker OD Višnje from Croatia was named Liqueur of the Year, receiving a Double Gold and 97 points.
The breadth of winning nations—spanning Holland, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Italy, Uganda, Australia, India, Scotland, the United States, Mexico, France, and Croatia—underscores what the competition describes as the increasingly global character of the spirits industry. Entries from emerging spirits-producing nations competed directly against established powerhouses and, in several cases, emerged with top honors.
The competition’s three-pillar judging methodology reflects a growing trend in the awards landscape toward evaluating spirits through a commercial lens. By weighting value for money and packaging alongside liquid quality, the LSC aims to identify products that perform well not only in blind tastings but also on retail shelves and back bars.
Sid Patel, CEO of the London Spirits Competition, commented on what sets the program apart.
“At the London Spirits Competition, a winning spirit must excel in quality, offer outstanding value for money, and be packaged in a way that truly connects with today’s consumer,” said Patel. “What makes this competition unique is that all products are judged by the highest level of trade professionals—bartenders, bar managers, and buyers—who understand what sells and what delights customers.”
“Our winners represent the very best of the global spirits industry,” Patel added.
The full list of 2026 winners and medal recipients is available on the London Spirits Competition website.
