The results of the 2026 London Competitions are in and this year has been the biggest and best since launching nine years ago. The competitions have become established as important platforms for marketing and promoting new and established drinks brand from across the globe.
Celebrating ten years of an annual competition that has gone from strength-to-strength, the 2027 competitions (London Spirits Competition, London Wine Competition and London Beer Competition) will be a significant milestone.
London Spirits Competition
Winning the prestigious Spirit of the Year accolade was No.3 Gin, which was also a double gold medal winner at this year’s event.
No.3 Gin emerged as the stand-out performer, awarded 98 points by the judges, reinforcing the gin’s quality, value and presentation.
Crafted by Berry Bros. & Rudd — one of the oldest wine and spirits merchants in the UK — 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.
The judges were impressed with its iconic packaging, inspired by the historic No.3 St James’s Street address in London, which further reinforces its premium positioning, regarded as one of the world’s finest gins.
The London Wine Competition
2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines of South Africa was named as the best wine at this year.
The 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, awarded Double Gold and 99 points by a panel of over 70 trade professionals, including Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, stood out as the finest expression yet of what this estate is capable of.
Named after Frederik and Céline Hasher’s firstborn child, Ernest, this wine carries the family’s story in every bottle.
Produced on their estate in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley — a cool-climate haven on South Africa’s Cape South Coast — Ernest Pinot Noir is a precise expression of place.
Founded in 2021, the Hasher Family Estate has quickly built a reputation for quality and sustainability, with winemaker Natasha Williams working with native yeasts and a restrained French oak programme to let the valley’s signature red berry, floral and herbaceous character speak for itself, finishing with the clean, saline lift that only this coastal valley can impart.
The London Beer Competition
At this year’s competition, Gulden Draak Imperial Stout by Brouwerij Van Steenberge of Belgium clinched top honours, taking home the titles of Beer of the Year and American Porter and Stout of the Year and with a score of 97 points it was awarded the Double Gold medal.
Beers were judged on three critical criteria: Quality, Value, and Packaging. Each entry was first blind-tasted to assess its craftsmanship and character. After quality scores were recorded, judges reviewed the beer’s retail price to evaluate its value. Finally, packaging was revealed to determine market appeal and branding effectiveness.
An Expert Judging Panel
This year’s judging panels brought together over 70 top industry experts, who all bring a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each and every entry.
The Judging Criteria
At the International London Spirits, Wine and Beer Competitions, medals are awarded based on a weighted composite score derived from the competition’s three core judging criteria — Quality, Value and Packaging.
To reflect the importance of how the spirit tastes and performs in the glass, Quality is given twice the weight in the final score calculation.
Each spirit, wine and beer is independently evaluated by multiple judges. Scores are aggregated to ensure consistency, fairness and accuracy. Medals are awarded only to the drinks that meet strict scoring thresholds.
Double Gold Medal (96–100 Points) The highest honour awarded by the competition, Double Gold is reserved for exceptional spirits, wines and beers that demonstrate outstanding quality.
Gold Medal (90–95 Points) Gold medals are awarded to drinks that show excellent craftsmanship, balance, and strong value positioning.
Silver Medal (85–89 Points)
Silver medals recognise very good spirits, wines and beers, which demonstrate solid quality and commercial appeal.
Bronze Medal (80–84 Points) Bronze medals are awarded to spirits that meet good quality standards and show clear potential in the market, offering an enjoyable drinking experience with appropriate value.
This structured scoring system ensures that all medal winners are not only technically sound but also commercially relevant, helping buyers and distributors identify products that are ready to succeed in today’s global spirits market.
Why The Competitions Matter
The competition is organised by Beverage Trade Network, a global platform connecting the beverage industry through events, competitions, and media.
With a strong footprint across the USA, UK, and international markets, Beverage Trade Network brings deep industry expertise and a buyer-focused approach to all its competitions. Its mission is to help brands grow their distribution by giving them direct exposure to key trade buyers, importers, distributors, and hospitality professionals.
Commenting on this year’s competitions, Sid Patel, CEO of the London Competitions, said: “Winning a medal here means your spirits, wines and beers perform across taste, value and shelf appeal, making the winners strong contenders in both domestic and international markets.”
Links to all of this year’s competitions are listed below, along with the stand-out spirits, wines and beers.
Details about the 2027 competitions will be announced in the coming months.
London Spirits Competition
Stand-out Winners from 2026 Include:
- Best Spirit by Quality: Bareksten Navy Strength Gin – Norway, Double Gold – 97 Points
- Best Spirit by Package: CandeGIN Gentle – Italy, Gold – 94 Points
- Best Spirit by Value: Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka – Poland, Double Gold – 98 Points
- Gin of the Year: Clarity Navy Gin – New Zealand, Double Gold – 98 Points
- Vodka of the Year: Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka – Poland, Double Gold – 98 Points
- Rum of the Year: Kakira Dark Rum – Uganda, Double Gold – 96 Points
- Liqueur of the Year: Martin Albus Liker OD Višnje – Croatia, Double Gold – 97 Points
- Tequila of the Year: Herradura Reposado – Mexico, Double Gold – 96 Points
- Cognac Of The Year: Courvoisier VS – France, Gold – 95 Points
See all the winners by clicking this link
London Wine Competition
Standout Winners from 2026 Include:
- Best Wine by Quality: 2023 Grand Duc Chardonnay by GlenWood Vineyards Pty Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
- Best Wine by Value: 2023 Eikendal Charisma by Eikendal Vineyards (Pty) Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 96 Points
- Best Wine by Package: 2025 Little Owl by Artisan Group of Brands – Greece, Double Gold – 97 Points
- Winery of the Year: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa (For their 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, Double Gold – 99 Points)
- Red Wine Producer of the Year: 2021 Adega de Pegões Grand Reserve by Cooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões C.R.L. – Portugal, Double Gold – 98 Points
- White Wine Producer of the Year: Silverhand Estate – United Kingdom (For their 2018 Blanc De Blancs, Double Gold – 96 Points)
- Non Alcoholic Wine Producer Of The Year, Vinolo Ltd – Spain (For their 2024 Zeno alcohol-liberated Viura, Double Gold – 96 Points)
- Winery Of The Year France: Maison Delas Frères – France (For their 2023 Delas – Seigneur De Maugiron, Double Gold – 96 Points)
- Winery Of The Year Italy: Poggio degli Ulivi – Italy (For their 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio degli ulivi, Gold – 95 Points)
- Winery Of The Year South Africa: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa (For their 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, Double Gold – 99 Points)
- Winery Of The Year Portugal: Cooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões C.R.L. – Portugal (For their 2021 Adega de Pegões Grand Reserve, Double Gold – 98 Points)
- Winery Of The Year Austria: Weingut Christoph Edelbauer – Austria (For their 2021 Riesling Ried Steinhaus Kamptal DAC, Double Gold – 97 Points)
- Pinot Noir Of The Year: 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
- Merlot Of The Year: 2022 Steenberg Vineyards Merlot by Steenberg Vineyards – South Africa, Gold – 95 Points
- Sauvignon Blanc Of The Year: 2024 Divin Vigneron Sauvignon Blanc 0.5% by Lestonat Divin, Double Gold – 97 Points
- Chardonnay Of The Year: 2023 Grand Duc Chardonnay by GlenWood Vineyards Pty Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
- Rkatsiteli Of The Year: 2024 Tsinandali Iberiuli by Shumi Winery – Georgia, Gold – 92 Points
- Riesling Of The Year: 2021 Riesling Ried Steinhaus Kamptal DAC by Weingut Christoph Edelbauer – Austria, Double Gold – 97 Points
- Sangiovese Of The Year: 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio degli ulivi by Poggio degli Ulivi, Gold – 95 Points
See all the winners by clicking this link
London Beer Competition
Stand-out beers from 2026 include:
- Best Beer By Quality: Mahou Maestra Doble Lúpulo, Double Gold – 97 Points (Produced By: Mahou, Spain)
- Best Beer By Value: Voll Damm, Double Gold – 97 Points (Produced By: Damm S.A, Spain)
- Best By Packaging: Hiver Honey Cider, Double Gold – 96 Points (Produced By: Hiver Beers, United Kingdom)
- International Lager Of The Year: Curious Brew, Double Gold – 96 Points (Produced By: Curious Brewery, United Kingdom)
- Pale Malty European Lager Of The Year: Alfa Krachtig Dort, Double God – 97 Points (Produced By: Alfa Brewery, Netherlands)
- Amber Bitter European Beer Of The Year: Downlink, Gold – 91 Points (Produced By: Beyond Belief Brewing Co., United Kingdom)
- IPA Of The Year: Baltic IPA, Double Gold – 96 Points (Produced By: Cold Town Beer, United Kingdom)
- Strong Belgian Ale Of The Year: Fourchette, Double Gold – 97 Points (Produced By: Brouwerij Van Steenberge, Belgium)
- Gluten-Free Beer Of The Year: Mahou Cinco Estrellas Sin Gluten, Gold – 91 Points (Produced By: Mahou, Spain)
- Non Alcoholic Beer Of The Year: Kingston Golden Pils, Double Gold – 97 Points (Produced By: BERO, USA)
- Dark European Lager Of The Year: Mahou Maestra Dunkel, Gold – 95 Points (Produced By: Mahou, Spain)
- Brewery Of The Year: Brouwerij Van Steenberge, Belgium (With five out of six products securing Double Gold, and one Gold medal)
- Beer Of The Year Italy: Birra Flea – Anais, Gold – 92 Points (Produced By: Flea Società Agricola a r.l., Italy)
- Beer Of The Year Spain: Mahou Maestra Doble Lúpulo, Double Gold – 97 (Produced By: Mahou, Spain)
- Beer Of The Year Belgium: Fourchette, Double Gold – 97 Points (Produced By: Brouwerij Van Steenberge, Belgium)