04 Mar No3 London Dry Gin
The first thing that struck me about No 3 Gin was how elegantly packaged it was. Now I don’t usually notice the packaging of gin bottles, but I could not ignore the sheer beauty and sophistication of this bottle.
When I first opened the package, a simple, classic white box lay before me. My eyes were drawn to a cut out key hole, where I saw a glimpse of green tissue paper. When I opened the box and unrolled the paper, I realised printed on this crisp tissue was an old street map of its home in St James’s Street. This street being where Berry Brothers & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchants, resided.
Beneath the paper was a gorgeous high-shouldered dark green bottle. Set within the bottle was a key. This key apparently modelled on the key of the distiller’s parlour door.
Before even opening the bottle, the anticipation of how this gin was going to smell and taste was overwhelming. This wasn’t just having a drink of gin. This was an experience.
When I opened the bottle, the amazing aroma of juniper hit me first. The drink to taste was both crisp and refreshing. I had the gin mixed with tonic and absolutely adored the combination of the different flavours used.
The different ingredients were very apparent in this drink and are, of course, what make it so spectacular.
The ingredients used also helped to inspire its name, No3. Three is the number of spice botanicals in the gin and three is the number of fruit botanicals in the gin. These botanicals are juniper berries, sweet Spanish orange peel, grapefruit peel, Angelica root, coriander seed and cardamom seeds.
The significance of the number 3 to this gin is inescapable. The number three is the number of the Berry Brother’s home on St. James’s Street. It also refers to the merchant’s 3 centuries of heritage. By coincidence, even the team of outside experts who Berry Brothers gathered to help create the gin was composed of 3 men and 3 women.
At over £30 a bottle, No3 is not a cheap gin but it is definitely worth splashing out on as a special treat. An absolutely superior gin.
No3 Gin is available nationally at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, as well as selected Tescos. Its Recommended Retail Price is £33.65
