Edinburgh: Gin Distillation Workshop with Gin Tasting

The best part of this Edinburgh experience is that you do more than taste gin. You choose your flavors, make a bespoke 500ml bottle, sample the finished spirit, then label and wax-seal it for the journey home. It turns a drink into a souvenir with a story.

I like the small group of no more than two people, which gives host Neil room to explain the process and help you shape a gin that suits your taste. I also like the generous drink lineup: a welcome G+T, three flavored gin samples, a cocktail while your gin is being made, and a final taste of your own bottle.

The main drawback is practical: the workshop takes place downstairs and is not wheelchair accessible. It is also an adults-only activity, and no food is served, so plan a meal before or after.

Key points at a glance

• Make your own 500ml gin: Choose flavors, distill your spirit, then bottle it yourself.
• Host Neil leads the session: His friendly, funny teaching style is a major part of the experience.
• Four tasting stages plus a cocktail: You receive a welcome G+T, three flavored gin samples, a cocktail, and a taste of your finished gin.
• Very small group: The experience is limited to two participants, making it easy to ask questions.
• Take home a handmade bottle: Your gin is labeled and wax-sealed before you leave.
• Downstairs location: Meet at the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street, but note that the workshop room is not wheelchair accessible.

What happens during the three-hour gin workshop

This is a hands-on session rather than a quick tasting flight. You spend about three hours learning how gin is made, testing flavors, creating your own blend, and waiting for the distillation to finish.

The precise starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking. The experience begins at the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street. Arrive at the main entrance about 15 minutes early. Your guide will meet you upstairs and take you to the downstairs room where the gin school takes place.

That meeting arrangement matters. Do not wander around looking for a separate storefront or distillery entrance. The bar is your starting point, and the workshop room is reached from inside.

Once everyone is settled, Neil gives you a short outline of the session. This opening helps you understand the order of events: tasting first, flavor selection next, distillation after that, and bottling at the end.

Starting with a G+T and three flavored gins

Your first drink is a welcome gin and tonic. It gives you something familiar before the more focused tasting begins, and it starts the workshop in a relaxed way.

Next comes a tasting of three different flavored gins. This is more useful than it may sound. You are not simply being handed a finished drink and told to enjoy it. The samples help you compare different flavor directions before deciding what you want in your own bottle.

If you are new to gin, this part gives you a basic point of reference. If you already know your favorite brands and styles, it lets you think more carefully about what you like: bright, herbal, sweet, floral, or another direction. The supplied details do not specify the exact three flavors served, so the selection may vary.

Neil’s role is important here. The experience works best when you ask questions and explain what you like. His approach, based on the session’s feedback, combines clear instruction with humor and enthusiasm. That should make the tasting approachable even if you normally feel out of place at a spirits class.

Choosing flavors for your bespoke bottle

After tasting, you move on to the creative part. Each participant gets to make a bespoke handmade 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of gin.

The appeal is the control you have over the flavor profile. You are not buying a standard bottle from a shelf. You get to experiment with different aromas and make choices based on your own taste.

That does not mean you need to arrive with a detailed recipe. Neil helps you work out which flavors fit together and which direction suits your palate. This guidance is particularly useful for beginners, since the number of possible combinations can otherwise feel confusing.

I would treat this stage as a tasting exercise rather than a competition. The goal is not to make the most unusual gin in the room. It is to make something you will actually enjoy drinking later. Think about what you like in a G+T, then use the samples and Neil’s advice to refine that idea.

The small group format helps here. With no more than two participants, you should have room to discuss your choices instead of rushing through a standard demonstration. It also means the session feels more personal than a large class.

Waiting for the distillation with a gin cocktail

While your gin is being distilled, you receive another drink, a gin cocktail. This is a smart part of the schedule because distillation takes time, and you are given something to enjoy while the process continues.

The cocktail also gives you another way to taste gin. A G+T is simple and familiar, while a cocktail lets the spirit work with other ingredients. The exact cocktail is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular recipe.

This pause adds to the social feel of the workshop. You have already tasted several gins, chosen your flavors, and started making your own bottle. The cocktail gives you a relaxed moment before the final tasting and bottling.

There is one limitation: food is not included. The drinks may make you hungry, especially across a three-hour session, so eat beforehand or arrange a meal afterward. The experience is built around alcohol, not lunch or dinner.

Sampling your own gin before bottling

The final tasting is the most personal part of the session. Before the gin goes into its bottle, you taste the spirit you have made.

This step lets you see how your flavor choices came together. It also gives Neil a chance to discuss the result with you. You may find that your finished gin tastes different from what you imagined, which is part of the value of making it yourself.

The point is not simply to leave with a bottle. You learn how the choices you made affect the final drink. Even if you are not planning to become a home distiller, that connection can make future gin tastings more interesting.

After tasting, you bottle the gin, label it, and wax-seal it. The handmade finish turns the 500ml bottle into a useful souvenir. It is small enough to take home more easily than a large gift, yet substantial enough to share or save for a special occasion.

Because the bottle is your own creation, it also makes a better memento than a standard souvenir bottle. You can remember the flavors you chose, the advice Neil gave, and the setting where you made it.

Why Neil makes a difference

The host is Neil, and the teaching style is a key part of this activity. The strongest praise focuses on his ability to be funny and informative at the same time.

That combination matters in a spirits workshop. Too much technical detail can make the session feel like a lecture. Too little explanation reduces it to a drinking event. Neil appears to keep the balance by explaining the process clearly while keeping the mood light.

You do not need to be a gin expert. The experience is designed to work for beginners, casual drinkers, and people who already know what they like. Neil helps you define your preferences and use them in the making process.

I would still recommend arriving ready to take part. You will get more from the workshop if you ask why certain flavors work together, describe what you usually drink, and pay attention during the tastings. The small group means your questions can shape the session.

The value of $114 per person

At $114 per person, this is not a budget bar tasting. The price makes more sense if you count the full package rather than a single drink or bottle.

You receive a welcome G+T, three gin samples, a cocktail, instruction, hands-on distillation, a final taste, and a bespoke 500ml bottle to take home. You are paying for the teaching and the activity, not just the alcohol.

The small group size also affects the value. With a maximum of two participants, you get a more private session and more direct help with your flavor choices. If you are comparing this with a large tasting where you simply sit and listen, the extra cost buys a more active experience.

Still, this is best for someone who enjoys the process as much as the finished drink. If your main goal is to sample many commercial gins, a standard tasting may cost less and offer a wider range. If you want to make something personal and leave with it, the price is easier to justify.

Remember that food is not part of the deal. Add the cost of a meal before or after when planning your afternoon or evening.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend the workshop to adult couples, friends, and family members who enjoy trying drinks together. The small group limit makes it especially appealing if you prefer personal instruction over a busy class.

It also suits people at different levels. A beginner can learn the basics without needing prior knowledge, while a gin fan can think more closely about flavor combinations and the making process.

This is a good rainy-day activity in Edinburgh because the main attraction is indoors and does not depend on the weather. It also gives you a break from sightseeing that still feels tied to local food and drink culture.

The activity is not suitable for children under 18. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments because the workshop room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible.

I would skip it if you do not drink alcohol, dislike tasting strong flavors, or want a full meal included. The session involves several alcoholic drinks, and the focus stays firmly on gin from beginning to end.

Practical details before you go

The experience lasts three hours, but the start time varies. Check availability for the date you want rather than assuming a fixed departure time.

Meet at the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street in Edinburgh. Enter through the main entrance about 15 minutes before the start time. Your guide will be waiting upstairs and will lead you down to the workshop room.

The activity is conducted in English. The group is limited to two participants, which is worth confirming when you book if you are planning to attend with a friend or partner.

The workshop ends back at the meeting point. You take your labeled and wax-sealed 500ml bottle home with you.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which can help if your Edinburgh schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Edinburgh gin workshop?

Book it if you want more than a drink in a glass. The strongest reason to choose this experience is the combination of tasting, instruction, personal flavor choices, and a bottle you make and finish yourself.

I especially like the small group format and Neil’s lively teaching style. You get time to ask questions, test different flavors, and make a gin that reflects your own taste rather than taking home a generic bottle.

Skip it if you need step-free access, want food included, or prefer a broad commercial tasting with no hands-on work. For everyone else, this is a thoughtful three-hour addition to an Edinburgh visit, particularly for adults who enjoy a practical activity and a drinkable souvenir.

FAQ

Where does the gin workshop start?

It starts downstairs at the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street in Edinburgh. Enter through the main entrance about 15 minutes before the start time, and the guide will meet you upstairs before leading you to the workshop room.

How long does the experience last?

The workshop lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How much gin do I take home?

You make and take home one bespoke handmade 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of gin.

What drinks are included?

You receive a welcome G+T, three different flavored gin samples, a gin cocktail while your bottle is being distilled, and a taste of your finished gin before bottling.

Is food included?

No. Food is not served during the experience.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

No. The workshop room is downstairs and is not wheelchair accessible. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can children take part?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18 years old.