Matthew Steeples of ‘The Steeple Times’ joins the judging panel of the No. 3 London Dry Gin 2013 competition
Last week, I was invited to sit on a panel that many of my friends would envy a position on by Berry Bros. & Rudd. I was asked to judge gin cocktails.
Two stories to keep beside you
Gin is in
Report reveals UK gin sales have topped £1 billion for the first time
Someone’s been on the gin
The most expensive gin in the world comes to the market at the most ludicrous price
Accompanied by my photographer friend and fellow gin lover, John Stoddart, I got to sample nine gin based cocktails made by bartenders from bars in London and Brighton in the cellars of Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchants.
Hosted as part of No. 3 London Dry Gin’s “Hit The Right Key” challenge, participating bartenders were invited to create a new spin on the classic G&T. The entries were varied and, in the main, impressive. One creatively even incorporated an oyster into his recipe and another developed a twist on the Negroni that I wholeheartedly enjoyed.
The final of the competition will be hosted at the No. 3 Bar at the Royal Albert Hall on the 17th June. They’re undoubtedly be a few cheers heard in Kensington that day.
Readers have their say
2 comments
Excellent coverage and judging. Thanks Matthew.
I hope everybody is mindful of the fact that ‘gin makes you sin’
Yes, a very nice story