A mini copper still turns gin into a hands-on afternoon. You’ll learn how gin is made, then build your own recipe and distill it on a mini copper still. I also love that you leave with a 500ml (50cl) bottle of your own gin, fully bottled and wax-sealed. At about $125, it’s a splurge—so it helps to want the experience, not just the alcohol.

This class runs for about 3 hours in a bespoke micro distillery room, starting at 12:00 pm at The Cumberland Bar. The tone is friendly and interactive, and the guides (many classes highlight Neil, with Gary also named) focus on tailoring your blend to what you actually like, not forcing a one-size recipe.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Hands-on mini copper still distillation: your own small setup and your chosen botanicals
• Three tasting samples first: you get a feel for styles before you build your blend
• Create a bespoke gin recipe: guided selection from the available ingredients
• A 500ml bottle to take home: not a tiny sample, a proper keep-sake
• Bottling, labelling, naming, and wax sealing: you finish your gin like a product
• Small group size (max 2): more direct help while you experiment

A real gin workshop: what happens from start to finish

Gin can feel like a mystery drink. This experience makes it physical. In a compact micro distillery room, you’re not just tasting—you’re building a recipe and using a mini copper still to turn your choices into a distilled spirit.

The class begins with a welcome drink: you’ll be offered a gin and tonic on arrival. After that, you’ll get a run-through of the outline so you know what comes next: tasting, recipe building, distilling, then finishing and taking your bottle home.

One of the best parts is that the flow is designed to keep you moving. You start with tasting, then you create, then you distill, then you taste again once it’s done. That keeps the whole experience grounded in cause and effect: your choices matter, and you can actually sense it at the end.

Your 3-hour itinerary in Edinburgh (and why each step matters)

This is scheduled to run for about 3 hours, starting at 12:00 pm and ending back at the meeting point. The group size caps at 2 travelers, which is a big deal for a hands-on class like this.

Stop 1: Sip Antics at The Cumberland Bar

You meet at The Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland St, Edinburgh EH3 6RT. From there, you head into the workshop space (a bespoke micro distillery room) where the class takes place.

Why this matters: Edinburgh is full of tastings that mostly feel like sitting and listening. Here, the structure is built for a short afternoon, so you can fit it into a day without turning your whole itinerary into a half-day detour.

Arrival drink and a quick outline

On arrival you’ll receive a gin and tonic, then you’ll settle in as the team walks you through the class outline.

Why this matters: gin-making can sound technical, but the class format keeps you oriented. You’ll know what you’re doing before you start choosing ingredients, so you don’t feel like you’re guessing.

Three gin tasting samples

Each guest tries three gin tasting samples. The point isn’t to memorize brand histories. It’s to help you understand what different botanicals and styles do to aroma and flavor so you can design a recipe you’ll enjoy.

Why this matters: you’re building a blend from what’s available to the group. This pre-tasting makes the rest of the workshop feel like a creative choice, not a confusing leap.

A nice bonus here is the guidance style. Many write-ups name guides like Neil (and Gary in some sessions) for staying upbeat and making it easy to land on a blend that matches your taste.

Design your bespoke gin recipe

Next comes the core workshop moment: you design your own gin recipe using the available ingredients. This is hands-on decision-making, with guidance to help you balance what you pick.

What you’ll likely appreciate: gin is all about balance. Even without being a hardcore spirit nerd, you’ll feel the difference between bolder botanical profiles and lighter ones. The guidance helps you translate what you liked in the tastings into a recipe that makes sense.

A practical upside of this stage with a group size of 2: you’re more likely to get real attention and adjustments instead of being stuck waiting your turn.

Distill your blend on your mini copper still

Now for the part that sounds like a sci-fi hobby: you use an individual mini copper still to distill your chosen ingredients.

You’ll produce a 500ml (50cl) bottle of gin to take home. Distillation is where your recipe turns from idea into something drinkable, and it’s also where the class becomes fun to watch. Your still is part of the experience, not just a prop.

Small-group note: with max 2 travelers, you get more personal pacing while the still does its work.

While it distills: enjoy a cocktail

While your gin is distilling, you’ll enjoy a cocktail. It helps the timing feel smooth, and it keeps the experience from stalling while equipment does its thing.

Why this matters for value: this isn’t just a “workshop then leave.” You get downtime with a drink, and it keeps the energy up until your gin is ready.

Taste, then bottle, label, name, and wax-seal

Once your gin has been distilled, you’ll taste your newly made gin, then finish it in a take-home format:

• bottling
• labelling
• naming your bottle
• wax sealing

This is a souvenir that feels earned. It’s also genuinely useful: you’ll have a 50cl bottle that’s meant to be shared or kept, not an itty-bitty tasting measure that disappears fast.

What you learn about gin (without the snob factor)

A lot of gin talk can drift into brand talk or technical bragging. This class focuses on the ingredients and how they affect what you taste.

You’ll learn about:

• how gin is made in a workshop setting
• botanical combinations and how they influence flavor and aroma
• gin styles in a way that connects to what you like, not just what’s trendy
• how to build a recipe you actually want to drink later

The guide approach described across the experience is very much about keeping things accessible. Neil is repeatedly described as entertaining and supportive, with Gary also named as someone who makes sure your personalized gin fits your tastes. I’d treat that as a clue: this is built for beginners as much as gin lovers.

Price and value: why $125 can make sense here

Let’s talk money, plain and simple. At $125.01 per person, this isn’t the cheapest thing in Edinburgh. But you’re not just paying for a lesson.

You’re paying for:

• hands-on distillation with an individual mini copper still
• three tasting samples before you blend
• guided recipe design using available ingredients
• a cocktail while your gin runs
• a 500ml bottle (50cl) to take home
• the finishing process that includes naming and wax sealing

If you compare it to a standard bar tasting where you might try a few pours and leave, the biggest difference is the end product. Here, you leave with your own bottle made from your choices, not just memories and photos.

Also, the max 2 travelers cap matters. In a class like this, fewer people usually means better attention and less waiting. That often turns a “nice idea” into a genuinely satisfying afternoon.

One practical note: because it includes multiple drinks (gin and tonic plus a cocktail, plus tastings), this is best as an activity day, not something you wedge between tight commitments.

Where it fits on your Edinburgh trip

This is scheduled at 12:00 pm, so it works well for:

• a relaxed start to the day
• a mid-afternoon slot if you’ve already done morning sightseeing
• rainy-day plans that still feel like fun and hands-on

If you’re staying in Edinburgh for a longer trip, this kind of class can also be a good way to shape your evenings. After you make your own gin, you tend to become a more confident person at cocktail bars, because you understand which botanicals steer the flavor.

And if you love gin or rum, the experience is run by Sip Antics, and the overall format is designed for people who want more than one spirits-themed evening.

Who should book this and who might skip it

You’ll enjoy this most if you:

• love gin and want to learn the basics in a practical way
• like hands-on activities where you make something tangible
• want a souvenir that’s actually drinkable and personal (500ml bottle, named and wax-sealed)
• prefer a small-group class where the guide can help you adjust your recipe

You might hesitate if:

• you want a quick tasting only and don’t care about making your own bottle
• you’re hoping for a larger, lively social group (this caps at 2)
• you don’t want to spend about 3 hours in one spot during the middle of the day

Practical tips for a smooth afternoon

A few things that make this kind of class easier and more enjoyable:

• Arrive a little early at The Cumberland Bar so you can check in without stress.
• Plan your day around a workshop pace. Since there’s a gin and tonic, tastings, and a cocktail during the distillation, you’ll be drinking more than a simple toast.
• If you’re unsure what you like, the three tasting samples are your shortcut. Treat them like a menu and pay attention to what you enjoy in each one.
• If you’re a gift shopper, this bottle is a strong option. It’s made to be shared, and the labelling and wax sealing make it feel special.

For frequent-bookers: this experience often gets booked ahead (it’s commonly reserved about 48 days in advance), so if your dates are firm, it’s worth securing your spot early.

Should you book this Edinburgh gin distilling experience?

If you want a fun, guided spirits activity that ends with a real take-home bottle, I think this is a smart choice. The standout strength is the combination of tasting, personalization, and distillation. You don’t just learn—you produce something you can label, name, and pour.

The only real caution is the price and time commitment. If $125 is a stretch, make sure you truly want the hands-on distilling part and the 500ml souvenir. If yes, you’re likely to walk away feeling proud and a lot more confident ordering gin afterward.

FAQ

How long is the gin distilling class in Edinburgh?

It runs for about 3 hours.

Where does the experience start and end?

It starts at The Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland St, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK and ends back at the same meeting point.

What do I get to take home?

You make and keep a 500ml (50cl) bottle of gin. It is bottled, labelled, named, and wax-sealed.

Do I get to taste gin before making my own recipe?

Yes. You’ll try three different gin tasting samples before designing your bespoke recipe.

Is there alcohol included during the class?

Yes. You receive a gin and tonic on arrival, and there is also a cocktail while your gin is distilling. You’ll also taste your finished gin.

How big is the group?

The class has a maximum of 2 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No. You’ll get a mobile ticket.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.