Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/118688
Class Distinction THROUGH SAN FRANCISCO'S ANCHOR DISTILLING, VENERABLE LONDON-BASED INNOVATORS BERRY BROS. & RUDD DELIVERS AN ARISTOCRATIC SPIRITS PORTFOLIO PHOTO COURTESY OF BERRY BROS. & RUDD by Jonathan Cristaldi A The London home of Berry Bros. & Rudd, one of the oldest family-run and most highly respected wine and spirits merchants in the market today. sign for coffee hangs above the entrance to a modest storefront at No. 3 St. James's Street in London, which opened its doors in 1698—despite the fact that no coffee has been sold on the premise since the late 1800s. Rather, it is the home of Berry Bros. & Rudd (BB&R), one of the oldest family-run and most highly respected wine and spirits merchants in the market today. Inside No. 3, one might be struck by the quaint modesty of the original shop, which has largely been preserved, augmented by the addition of a modern, brilliantly lit retail space. A scale once used to weigh large sacks of coffee was humorously repurposed for weighing people—if you find yourself there, ask to glance through their ledger book, which holds the weight of the likes of members of the royal family and the Aga Khan. Fascinating historical records are on display too, like a letter from the White Star Line, dated April 16, 1912, a day after the sinking of the Titanic, detailing a list of BB&R wines that went down with the ship. And just below street level a network of underground rooms comprises an astonishing two acres of cellars where an incredible liquid history taunts the eye and palate. Since 1760, Berry's has supplied wine to the British Royal Family and maintains that honor today. In 1903, a royal warrant granted them the role of wine merchant to King Edward VII. The firm was The King's Ginger was originally created for King Edward VII. april 2013 / the tasting panel / 93