Distill a bottle of gin on mini copper stills

A fun and authentic way to learn about gin in Edinburgh — this tour offers a hands-on workshop where you get to distill your own bottle of gin using mini copper stills. It’s a perfect activity for gin lovers or those curious about spirits, blending education with a bit of creative flair.

What we love about this experience is how personalized it feels. From tasting different botanicals to designing your own recipe, everything is tailored to your taste buds. Plus, you leave with a tangible souvenir—a 500ml bottle of your own gin that you crafted.

The one thing to keep in mind is that this tour is quite intimate, with a maximum of three travelers, which might mean booking well in advance if you’re traveling during peak times. If you enjoy interactive experiences and want a genuine, fun introduction to gin making, this tour is ideal. It’s especially suited for small groups, couples, or solo travelers who want a memorable craft experience.

Key Points

• Personalized Gin Creation: You design your own recipe with guidance, making the experience uniquely yours.
• Expert Guidance: Knowledgeable hosts like Neil and Gary keep it fun, informative, and engaging.
• Authentic Craftsmanship: Use mini copper stills, a real opportunity to see the distillation process firsthand.
• Tasting and Education: Multiple gin samples help you understand flavors and botanicals.
• Take Home Souvenir: Your own bottle of custom gin with a label, seal, and name—great for gifting or keepsakes.
• Small Group Experience: Limited to three travelers, ensuring personalized attention and a relaxed atmosphere.

An In-Depth Look at the Gin Distillation Workshop in Edinburgh

The Setting and Atmosphere

The experience takes place in a bespoke micro distillery room, which immediately feels intimate and exclusive. Arriving at the Cumberland Bar, you’ll be greeted with a gin and tonic—an inviting way to start your journey into spirits. The space is cozy yet well-equipped for hands-on gin making, creating a relaxed vibe perfect for a small group or solo explorers eager to learn.

What the Tour Entails

The workshop kicks off with a brief introduction to gin, its history, and production methods. You’ll quickly realize that this isn’t just a tasting session but an interactive class. The hosts, including Neil, are praised for their knowledge and entertainment value, making complex processes understandable and fun. One reviewer called Neil “an absolute legend,” noting his passion and humor kept everyone engaged.

Next, you’ll sample three different gin varieties, each with distinct botanicals. This tasting helps you identify your preferred flavors and understand the nuances of different gin styles. You’ll learn about how botanicals influence the final product, which arms you with the knowledge to craft your own signature blend.

Designing Your Unique Gin

After sampling, it’s time to get creative. You will be guided to select botanicals and ingredients to develop a personal recipe. This part is particularly appreciated because it allows for individual interpretation—reviewers highlight how Neil and Gary made it easy and fun to customize flavors. Some mention how they learned what they liked in a gin through these choices, which adds a layer of education to the process.

Distilling Your Creation

Once your recipe is ready, you’ll use a mini copper still to distill your concoction. Watching the process is fascinating—these small stills produce about 500ml of gin, which is enough for you to enjoy at home. The process is straightforward, and reviewers mention how surprisingly simple it is to produce your own gin with guidance.

While your gin is distilling, you’ll be served a cocktail—another nice touch that enhances the experience and makes the hour pass quickly. Once complete, you’ll taste your freshly distilled gin before labeling, naming, and sealing it. It’s a satisfying moment, especially knowing you created it yourself, and many praise the quality of the end product.

Final Touches and Souvenirs

You get to take home your own bottle of personalized gin—a distinctive souvenir of your Edinburgh trip. Reviewers love this aspect, describing it as “great souvenirs” and “a real pride.” The entire process, from creation to bottling, is interactive and rewarding, leaving you with a unique, handcrafted spirit to share or keep.

Practical Details and Value

The tour lasts approximately three hours, starting at noon from the Cumberland Bar. The price of $117.05 per person might seem steep at first glance, but considering the personalized experience, the learning, and the quality of the end product, many find it to be excellent value. It’s a small-group activity, with a maximum of three travelers, which means plenty of individual attention and hands-on guidance.

Booking about 30 days in advance is recommended, especially during high season. The tour is accessible via public transport, and service animals are allowed, making it convenient for most travelers.

The Experience’s Highlights

• Intimate setting that fosters a relaxed and interactive environment
• Expert hosts like Neil and Gary who keep it lively and informative
• Tasting session that helps you understand different botanicals and flavor profiles
• Personalized recipe creation that guarantees a custom gin suited to your palate
• Hands-on distillation using mini copper stills, providing a real sense of craft
• A tangible souvenir to remember your Edinburgh trip—your own bottle of gin

What Reviewers Say

Multiple reviewers mention how Neil’s knowledge made the class engaging, calling him “an excellent and entertaining guide” and “an absolute legend.” They appreciated the small group size, which made the experience more personalized and fun. Many also highlighted the quality of the gin they made, with one describing the final product as “excellent.” Others appreciated the educational aspect, saying they learned more about gin styles and flavors than they expected.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This workshop is perfect for spirits enthusiasts who want to get hands-on with gin making. It’s ideal for couples, small groups, or solo travelers seeking a unique, memorable experience in Edinburgh. If you like the idea of designing your own recipe and taking home a bespoke bottle, you’ll love how personal and satisfying this activity is.

On the flip side, those expecting a large-scale distillery tour or a quick tasting might find this experience too intimate or detailed. It’s best suited for travelers who enjoy learning by doing and appreciate small, curated experiences.

The Sum Up

If you’re in Edinburgh and looking for an activity that combines education, creativity, and a touch of Scotland’s distilling heritage, this gin-making workshop delivers just that. The chance to craft your own gin using mini copper stills is a rare experience that offers genuine insight into spirits production, coupled with a memorable souvenir.

The guides, especially Neil and Gary, are highlighted for their friendliness, knowledge, and ability to make the process accessible for everyone. The tasting and recipe development add layers of enjoyment, making it more than just a craft class.

Considering the personal attention, quality of the experience, and the end product, this tour offers excellent value for anyone eager to learn about gin or simply want a fun, hands-on activity. It’s a fantastic choice for small groups or individuals seeking a memorable, authentic taste of Edinburgh’s spirit scene.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?
The experience takes around three hours from start to finish, including tastings, recipe design, distilling, and bottling.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at The Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland St, Edinburgh, and finishes back there.

What is included in the price?
The price covers the guided workshop, tastings, the distillation process, your own 500ml bottle of gin, and a cocktail during the process.

Is this experience suitable for children or non-drinkers?
This tour is focused on making gin, so it’s best suited for adults. Service animals are allowed, but the activity is designed for those of legal drinking age.

Can I book this experience close to the date?
It’s recommended to book about 30 days in advance, as the small group size means it fills up quickly.

Is the gin I make customizable?
Yes, you choose from available botanicals to develop your own flavor profile during the recipe design stage.

What if I want to cancel?
The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Are there any transportation considerations?
The tour is near public transportation, making it easy to reach the starting point.

Can I bring my own ingredients or special botanicals?
The experience provides a selection of ingredients; bringing your own isn’t specified but could be worth asking the provider if you have specific preferences.

Is the group size really limited to three people?
Yes, the activity is designed for a maximum of three travelers, ensuring personalized attention.

This experience is a delightful blend of education, creativity, and Scottish spirit craftsmanship. Perfect for those wanting a memorable, hands-on way to enjoy Edinburgh’s renowned gin scene.