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.
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.
![Four of the cocktails created by the nine contestants](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Four-cocktails-550.jpg)
![A cocktail named His Majesty's Vigour was especially cleverly presented on a tray with an image of King William III](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/His-Majestys-Vigour.jpg)
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 judging panel and the two first place winners, Charles of Nola in London and Aaron from The Parlour in Brighton](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Judges-and-winners-550.jpg)
![The judges at work](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Judging.jpg)
![The first place winner from Brighton: Ehren of Merkaba Bar](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1st-Place-Brighton-Ehren-Merkaba-Bar.jpg)
![The first place winner from London: Charles of Nola Bar](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/1st-Place-London-Charles-Nola-Bar.jpg)
![Alfie of COLD Bar won overall second place in the contest (and also was the main photographer of the event)](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2nd-Place-Alfie-COLD-Bar.jpg)
![Simon Robinson of Brewery Tap in Brighton secured overall third place](https://www.thesteepletimes.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2nd-Place-Simon-Brewery-Tap.jpg)
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.
For more information about No. 3 London Dry Gin click here.
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Excellent coverage and judging. Thanks Matthew.
I hope everybody is mindful of the fact that ‘gin makes you sin’
Yes, a very nice story