Berry Bros. & Rudd has been trading from 3 St James's Street in London since 1698 — making it Britain's oldest wine and spirits merchant. The building itself, with its creaking wooden floors and antique scales, feels like a time capsule of Georgian London. It was from this address that the company launched No. 3 London Dry Gin, named for the shop's street number, and distilled in the Netherlands by the De Kuyper family — an unusual provenance for a London Dry, but one that speaks to Berry Bros.' longstanding Dutch trading connections.
The Six Botanicals
No. 3's botanical bill is the shortest of any premium gin I can think of: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orange peel, lemon peel, and cardamom. Six ingredients. That's it. In a market where some gins boast thirty or forty botanicals, No. 3's minimalism is either admirably disciplined or foolishly exposed, depending on your perspective. Having tasted the gin extensively, I can confirm it's the former.
On the Nose
The nose is a masterclass in clarity. Juniper leads with absolute confidence — clean, piney, and precisely defined. Citrus follows immediately: orange peel's warm sweetness alongside lemon peel's sharp brightness. The cardamom adds a subtle exotic warmth underneath, and the angelica root provides a dry, earthy grounding note. There's nowhere to hide with six botanicals — every note is audible, every element earns its place.
On the Palate
No. 3 is one of the most perfectly balanced London Dry gins I've tasted. The juniper is rich and full — not aggressive, but unapologetically present — supported by a citrus brightness that lifts the spirit and prevents it from becoming heavy. The coriander adds a gentle warmth and spice, the cardamom contributes an aromatic sweetness, and the angelica provides the dry, grounding backbone that holds everything together.
The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and clean, with a slight oiliness that suggests quality distillation. At 46% ABV, there's real weight and presence — enough to command attention in cocktails without overwhelming in a G&T. The overall impression is one of precision and purpose: no wasted notes, no redundant botanicals, just six ingredients working in perfect concert.
The Finish
Medium to long, clean and satisfying. Juniper and citrus fade together in balanced harmony, with a dry angelica-root bitterness providing structure right through to the end. The cardamom surfaces briefly in the finish — a warm, sweet whisper — before the gin concludes with a clean, dry close.
In the Glass
No. 3 is a supremely versatile London Dry. In a Martini, it's exceptional — the six-botanical clarity creates a cocktail of remarkable purity. In a G&T, it's textbook — juniper-forward, refreshing, and unmistakably gin. In a Negroni, the 46% ABV gives it enough backbone to stand up to Campari and vermouth.
The Verdict
No. 3 London Dry Gin proves that gin doesn't need exotic botanicals or elaborate distillation processes to achieve greatness. Six ingredients, selected with care and distilled with skill, can produce a gin of extraordinary quality. It's a rebuke to complexity for its own sake, and a celebration of the London Dry style at its most focused and refined.
One of the finest London Dry gins in production. Unreservedly recommended.
