There are many great drinks in London.

And then there are a few that define the city.

A Martini at Dukes Bar is one of them.

Served with quiet precision, theatre, and a sense of occasion that feels uniquely British, the Dukes Martini has long been considered one of the finest expressions of the drink anywhere in the world. And at the heart of that experience sits a familiar name — No.3 Gin.

From the judging table to the bar trolley

What makes this moment even more relevant today is what has just happened on the global stage.

At the 2026 International London Spirits Competition — one of the world’s most respected and commercially focused spirits competitions — No.3 Gin was awarded Spirit of the Year, earning a Double Gold medal with an outstanding 98-point score.

This is not a competition judged in isolation. It brings together leading buyers, bartenders, and spirits professionals who evaluate products based on quality, value, and packaging — the same factors that determine what gets listed, recommended, and poured in real-world settings.

In other words, what wins here is not just what tastes good.

 It’s what works.

And that’s what makes the connection to Dukes so compelling.

Dukes Bar, London

Where simplicity becomes something exceptional

What makes a Martini at Dukes so memorable is not complexity — it’s clarity.

There are no unnecessary flourishes. No distractions. Just cold, balance, and intent.

The trolley arrives. The gin is poured. The ritual unfolds slowly. And what you are left with is a drink that feels timeless.

It’s in this setting that No.3 Gin finds its natural home. Because this is exactly what it was designed for.

Enrico Chiappini, Senior Bartender, Dukes Bar and a judge at the London Spirits Competition

A gin built for the Martini — and proven by the trade

Not all gins work in a Martini.

Some are too floral.
Some are too soft.
Some simply get lost.

A Martini demands precision — structure, clarity, and a clean finish.

No.3 Gin – Double Gold, 98 Points

No.3 delivers exactly that.

At the 2026 International London Spirits Competition, No.3 Gin emerged as the standout performer, clinching the coveted Spirit of the Year title alongside a Double Gold medal and an impressive 98-point score. Now in its ninth edition, the competition continues to spotlight excellence across the global spirits industry, but what makes this win particularly meaningful is the way products are evaluated — not just on taste, but on quality, value, and packaging. In that context, No.3 Gin’s performance signals more than technical excellence; it reflects a spirit that delivers across all the elements that matter in today’s market.

Crafted by Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant, and distributed globally in partnership with Edrington, No.3 Gin carries over 320 years of heritage. Developed over two years in collaboration with Dr David Clutton and leading mixologists, it was created as a benchmark London Dry Gin — built for classic serves like the Martini, where precision and balance are essential. Its distinctive packaging, inspired by the historic No.3 St James’s Street address, further reinforces its premium positioning, making it instantly recognisable both on the shelf and behind the bar. 

This year’s win firmly cements its reputation as one of the world’s finest gins, excelling across every judging parameter.

Alessandro Palazzi behind the bar at Dukes Bar, London

Its recent recognition at the International London Spirits Competition reinforces what bartenders and buyers have known for years — this is a gin that performs where it matters most: in the glass, on the bar, and in front of the guest.

At Dukes, that performance becomes tangible.

Alessandro Palazzi from Dukes and Enrico Chiappini, Senior Bartender at Dukes Bar

The connection between London’s heritage and global recognition

There is something uniquely fitting about this alignment.

The International London Spirits Competition reflects how the global drinks industry evaluates products today — through the lens of commercial viability and real-world use.

Dukes Bar represents how those products come to life — in service, in experience, and in memory.

And No.3 Gin sits comfortably between the two.

Rooted in London’s heritage, inspired by its historic St James’s Street address, and validated on a global stage, it represents a product that is both timeless and relevant.

Why this moment matters for London drinkers

For those exploring London’s drinks scene, this is more than just a great Martini.

It is a connection between:

- A globally recognised competition
- A product built for classic serves
- And one of the city’s most iconic bars

In a world where trends move quickly and new releases arrive constantly, moments like this offer something different.

They offer certainty.

A reminder that some of the best drinking experiences are not about chasing what’s new, but about understanding what works — and why.

A drink, a bar, and a global benchmark

The Martini at Dukes Bar has always been one of London’s defining drinks.

Now, with No.3 Gin recognised as Spirit of the Year at the International London Spirits Competition, that experience carries even greater weight.

It is no longer just tradition.

 It is validation.

And for anyone looking to experience London through its drinks, there are few better places to start.