The 2026 London Spirits Competition has announced its winners following one of its most globally representative editions to date, with entries from over 30 countries and strong participation across both established and emerging spirits markets.

While the headline results highlight standout performers across categories, the broader significance of this year’s competition lies in what it reveals about how buying decisions are being made across the trade.

Increasingly, success is not defined by liquid quality alone. It is shaped by a product’s ability to deliver across quality, value, and presentation — the same three factors that underpin real-world purchasing decisions in today’s on-trade and retail environments.

A judging framework aligned with the trade

Unlike traditional spirits competitions, the London Spirits Competition evaluates entries based on a composite of quality, value for money, and packaging, with quality carrying double weight in the final score calculation.

This structure reflects the realities faced by buyers across the industry. Whether sourcing for a bar program, restaurant group, or retail shelf, decision-makers are required to balance taste with pricing strategy, brand positioning, and ease of sale.

As a result, the competition’s outcomes function less as a measure of technical excellence in isolation and more as an indicator of commercial readiness.

Judged by the people who list, price, and sell

A defining strength of the competition is its judging panel, made up of over 70 leading industry professionals spanning buying, hospitality, and production.

This year’s panel included:

Andrew de Lavis-Trafford – Head of Buying Spirits, Beers & Softs at Enotria Winecellars Ltd, UK

Stephanie Macleod- Master Blender and Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi

Claudia Carrozzi – Head of Beverage at Cunard and UKBG President

Nick Larsson-Bell – Senior Spirits and Beer Buyer at Harvey Nichols

Cristiana Pirinu- Assistant Director of Mixology - The Donovan Bar

Nuno Simões– Luxury Bar & Beverage Manager at The Royal Bell

Craig Wallace – Whisky Creation Leader and Master Blender at Diageo

Francesco Colucci – Head Bartender at Ginger Lily Pan Pacific London

Nelson Reis – Retail Duty Manager at Speciality Drinks Group

Billy Leighton – Master Blender Emeritus at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard

Christian Maspes – Food and Beverage specialist, Sake sommelier & Educator, Bar project developer.

Dennis Sadovyak – Bar Manager at The Wolseley Hospitality Group

Barbara SC – Spirits Advisor at The Whisky Exchange

Stephanie Wallace – Whisky Specialist Team at Diageo

David Wood – Founder at Liana Collection - IWSC Drinks Distributor of the Year 2023

View the full list of judges here.

Alongside senior bartenders, beverage directors, and retail buyers from across the UK and global markets.

This is critical. These are not theoretical judges — they are professionals dealing daily with margin pressures, SKU rationalisation, and consumer expectations.

A high score here signals not just quality, but real-world listing potential.

“Today, a winning spirit is not just about taste — it’s about how it performs on a list, how it’s priced, and how it connects with the consumer. The brands that win here are the ones built for real commercial success.”— Sid Patel

Benchmark products lead the way

At the top of this year’s results, No.3 Gin was awarded Spirit of the Year, securing a Double Gold medal with 98 points.

Its success reflects a broader trend within the market: buyers are gravitating towards products that offer clarity, consistency, and confidence in performance. Rather than relying on novelty, benchmark expressions within established categories continue to hold strong appeal, particularly in environments where SKU rationalisation and margin pressures are ongoing concerns.

No.3 Gin – Double Gold, 98 Points

This year, No.3 Gin emerged as the standout performer, securing the prestigious Spirit of the Year title alongside a Double Gold Medal and an impressive 98-point score—a remarkable achievement that underscores its quality, value, and presentation.

Crafted by Berry Bros. & Rudd—one of the oldest wine and spirits merchants in the UK—and distributed globally in partnership with Edrington, No.3 Gin reflects a legacy of craftsmanship dating back over 320 years. Developed over two years in collaboration with Dr David Clutton and leading mixologists, the gin was designed to be a benchmark London Dry Gin, ideal for classic serves like the Martini. 

Its iconic packaging, inspired by the historic No.3 St James’s Street address in London, further reinforces its premium positioning. This year’s win cements No.3 Gin’s reputation as one of the world’s finest gins, excelling across all judging parameters.

Top winners at a glance

This year’s results showcased strength across multiple categories, with standout winners including:

- Spirit of the Year: No.3 Gin – Double Gold, 98 Points
- Best Spirit by Quality: Bareksten Navy Strength Gin – Double Gold, 97 Points
- Best Spirit by Package: CandeGIN Gentle – Gold, 94 Points
- Best Spirit by Value: Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka – Double Gold, 98 Points

Category Winners:

- Gin of the Year: Clarity Navy Gin – Double Gold, 98 Points
- Vodka of the Year: Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka – Double Gold, 98 Points
- Rum of the Year: Kakira Dark Rum – Double Gold, 96 Points
- Liqueur of the Year: Martin Albus Liker OD Višnje – Double Gold, 97 Points
- Tequila of the Year: Herradura Reposado – Double Gold, 96 Points
- Cognac of the Year: Courvoisier VS – Gold, 95 Points

View the full list of winners for 2026

These results highlight a balance between established global brands and emerging producers from newer regions, reflecting the increasingly diverse sourcing strategies of today’s buyers.

The No and Low category was given dedicated focus this year, with two specialist judging panels made up of category experts. The panels were led by Laura Willoughby MBE, Low and No Alcoholic Drinks Buyer and Founder of Club Soda, alongside Josh Kelly, No and Low Buyer and Brand Relations Manager at Club Soda, and supported by four additional No and Low judges, reflecting the growing depth and commercial importance of this segment.

Global diversity meets commercial expectations

The geographic spread of winners — from Europe to Africa to Latin America — underscores how global the spirits category has become.

However, while provenance adds depth, it is no longer enough on its own. Buyers are applying consistent commercial filters across all products, regardless of origin:

- Does it fit the list?
- Does it meet margin expectations?
- Will it sell?

This is where many products fall short — and where this year’s winners have succeeded.

Increasingly relevant for the on-trade

For on-trade operators, the relevance of competitions like this is evolving.

With tighter lists and greater scrutiny on performance, buyers are looking for products that can deliver across multiple dimensions — not just in the glass, but on the balance sheet.

Competitions that incorporate value and packaging into their judging criteria are increasingly acting as:

- A filter for new listings
- A shortlist for sourcing
- A validation layer for commercial viability

A reflection of a more disciplined market

The 2026 London Spirits Competition results ultimately reflect a more disciplined and commercially focused industry.

Brands are being forced to think beyond liquid quality, while buyers are becoming more selective in how they build their portfolios.

In this context, the winners are not simply those that taste the best. They are the ones that understand the market — and are built to succeed within it.

View the full list of winners for 2026

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