Where is No 3 Gin Distillery? Your Complete Guide to Visiting

Trying to track down the No 3 Gin distillery? Here’s the unexpected truth: there’s no public, stand-alone No 3 Gin distillery you can tour in London or anywhere else. No 3 Gin actually comes from Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant at No. 3, St James’s Street, London. The gin itself is made in Holland, not on site at a London distillery like you might hope when you see the bottle’s fancy London branding.

You can’t just pop in and see gin bubbling away behind glass. But you can visit the Berry Bros. & Rudd shop in St James’s, which is something of a pilgrimage for gin fans. The place has been around since 1698—older than most countries’ entire drinks industries. No, there aren’t big copper stills here, but you’ll find a sleek tasting cellar, expert staff, and a quirky gin vault vibe that’s something special. If you’re serious about gin, this old-school shop is a place you’ve got to see up close.

• No 3 Gin’s True Home
• How to Experience No 3 Gin
• What to Expect on a Visit
• Pro Tips and Fun Facts

No 3 Gin’s True Home

No 3 Gin is one of those bottles that looks 100% London, all the way down to the handwritten-style number on the label. But if you’re trying to find the actual spot where the magic happens, here’s the deal: there is no flashy distillery open for tours in the city. The real "home" of No 3 Gin is Berry Bros. & Rudd, right in the heart of St James’s Street, London. This place has been selling booze since 1698—way before gin was even trendy.

Berry Bros. & Rudd is famous for being the oldest wine and spirit merchant in the UK. Their shop at 3 St James’s Street is about as historic as you get: think creaky floorboards, scales once used for weighing royal customers, and a private cellar packed with some of the world’s best spirits. But here’s a twist—while No 3 gin is brainchild of the BB&R team, they actually contract a top distillery in Holland, the birthplace of gin, to distil their signature spirit.

• No 3 Gin is named after the shop’s address – 3 St James’s Street, London.
• The shop itself isn’t a distillery, but a retail space and a hub for expert-led tastings and events.
• The gin is distilled in Schiedam, the Netherlands, where Dutch distilling expertise literally started the gin craze centuries ago.

If you’re after the full experience, a trip to the Berry Bros. & Rudd shop offers history, expert knowledge, and a chance to geek out over gin. You’ll see display bottles, limited releases, and if you ask the right staff member, you’ll get the story behind every blend.

So even if you can’t walk through the No 3 Gin still room, the original store is crammed with enough history and tasting opportunities to make any gin fan happy.

How to Experience No 3 Gin

So, you can’t see the actual distillation tanks for No 3 Gin, but there’s still plenty to try, taste, and do in London that will scratch that gin-lover’s itch. Here’s the lowdown on how to get that No 3 Gin experience, even though the gin itself is made at a family-owned distillery in Schiedam, Holland.

Head straight to the Berry Bros. & Rudd shop at No. 3 St James’s Street if you want an authentic setting. This spot is the real link between No 3 Gin and London—the brand is named after this address. Friendly staff there often run gin tastings, plus you’ll find No 3 Gin’s whole lineup. If you’re looking for a pro tip, call ahead and ask about upcoming gin experiences because they book fast, especially in the summer. They offer tasting events and sometimes private masterclasses where you can learn about No 3 Gin’s blend of juniper, orange peel, grapefruit peel, angelica root, coriander, and cardamom.

Want a bigger gin fix? Book a gin-tasting evening through Berry Bros. & Rudd’s cellars beneath the shop. The atmosphere is classic old London, brick-vaulted and candlelit. Their guides know No 3 Gin inside out, so you’ll hear the real backstory and get to try it how it was designed—neat, in a G&T, and as a Martini.

• No 3 gin is also featured in specialty bars across London. Ask for it in classic cocktails—the bartenders love talking about it.
• Keen on a more hands-on activity? Look for pop-up No 3 Gin events or collabs at foodie festivals. They often do limited-time tasting booths or cocktail workshops around the city.

If you love numbers, there’s something else cool:

One last tip: if you want to try No 3 Gin at home the British way, grab a bottle at the shop or online, get some really cold tonic, a slice of pink grapefruit, and lots of ice. That’s how the pros recommend drinking it.

What to Expect on a Visit

When you walk through the doors of Berry Bros. & Rudd at No. 3 St James’s Street, you won’t see a typical gin distillery setup with shiny stills and clouds of botanicals in the air. Instead, you’re stepping into a piece of London history—the spot that inspired No 3 gin.

The main attraction is the shop itself. Original wooden floors creak, the walls are lined with bottles from all over the world, and there’s an almost museum vibe even though it’s a working business. The staff here knows their stuff. Want to taste or learn about No 3 Gin’s background? Just ask—they’ll walk you through the gin’s story, its award-winning flavor, and give you a sample if it’s available that day. Sometimes there are guided tours or events in the underground cellars. These aren’t on every day, so you’ll want to check the official Berry Bros. & Rudd website or email ahead to book a spot.

Here’s what else you can expect when visiting:

• Tastings: Regular gin tastings, sometimes with other spirits or wine. Most tastings last about an hour.
• Gin Expertise: The team is happy to give recommendations for the best ways to enjoy No 3 Gin, from classic G&Ts to more creative cocktails.
• Historic Cellars: If you get into a cellar tour, you’ll see 17th-century vaults stacked with old bottles and barrels—it honestly feels like something out of a spy movie.
• Shopping: You can buy exclusive bottles, including No 3 Gin, limited editions, and even grab a personalized label if you want a great gift or memento.

Curious about how popular this place is? Check out these numbers from Berry Bros. & Rudd’s 2024 tour data:

If you want the tasting or a behind-the-scenes look, booking is smart—weekends fill up fast. There’s no dress code, but you might want to skip the trainers just for the vibe (it’s a bit swanky, but nobody’s super strict). It’s a short walk from Piccadilly Circus or Green Park Tube, so getting here is simple even if you're new in town. And don’t forget your camera: the outside of No. 3, with its quirky bow windows, is a London sight all by itself.

Pro Tips and Fun Facts

If you’re hoping to get the most out of your No 3 Gin experience, there are some handy things to know. Let’s start with the basics: tasting events with Berry Bros. & Rudd are known for being relaxed and expertly led. You don’t have to be a gin geek to enjoy them—just bring your curiosity and ask questions.

• The address—No. 3 St James’s Street—hasn’t changed for more than 325 years. That’s as old school as it gets in London.
• No 3 Gin was launched in 2010 after two years of recipe tweaks with Dr. David Clutton, a scientist literally known as "Dr. Gin." Not many brands can say they worked with someone who wrote the book on distillation.
• The bottle’s key symbol isn’t just for show—it nods to the shop’s front door (yes, the original key is hanging inside).
• If you book a tasting at Berry Bros. & Rudd, you’ll usually get to try more than just No 3 gin; they often include rare spirits or cocktails. Ask staff about events during London Cocktail Week for extra-special samples.

For anyone big on stats and quick info, here’s a little rundown comparing No 3 Gin to other big names in the game:

If you want a souvenir, check out those limited-edition No 3 Gin miniatures behind the counter—perfect gift material for a gin-obsessed friend. Extra tip: snap a photo in front of the shop’s old green exterior; it’s a quiet badge for real gin fans.