Make your own gin in Edinburgh. You start with a welcome G+T, taste three flavoured gins, then distill and leave with a 500ml bottle sealed for the trip home. One watch-out: the gin school room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible.

I also like the small-group feel. This workshop runs with a limited group size of up to 2 participants, and the host, Neil, keeps the energy high while explaining what’s happening in plain English. The other practical catch is that there’s no food served, so plan accordingly.

If you’re into experimenting with aromas and finding a flavour profile that feels like yours, this is a fun, hands-on way to spend a few hours in the city. And yes, you’ll taste your own gin before bottling, which turns a souvenir into something you made.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Welcome G+T on arrival to get you into the right mood fast
• Three flavoured gin samples so you can learn what you like before you distill
• Bespoke distillation and a 500ml bottle you bottle yourself and take home
• Gin cocktail during the wait while the distillation finishes
• Bottle, label, and wax seal so it looks and feels properly finished
• Small group up to 2 participants for more hands-on attention

A three-hour gin workshop that’s part tasting, part making

This is the kind of Edinburgh experience that feels more hands-on than most tours in town. In about three hours, you’ll go from sampling different gin styles to making your own bespoke batch and leaving with a 500ml bottle.

The format matters. You’re not just watching a process. You taste first, then you get to shape the gin you’ll ultimately bottle and seal.

Price is listed as $114 per person, which is in the range you’d expect for a true workshop (not a quick tasting). What makes it feel like value is that you leave with a full bottle of gin, not just a few sips.

Finding Cumberland Bar and the downstairs gin room

Your starting point is downstairs in the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street. When you arrive, go in through the main entrance about 15 minutes before your start time. Your guide will be upstairs, and they’ll lead you to the space where the workshop takes place.

One practical thing to know: this room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible. If mobility is a factor for you, you’ll want to take that seriously before booking.

Also, since there’s no food served, I’d treat this as a two-part outing. You’re doing a tasting and a distillation, then you’re taking home alcohol. A light meal beforehand can keep the experience comfortable.

Welcome G+T and a guided taste of three flavoured gins

The workshop starts right away with a welcome G+T on arrival. That small moment is a good setup, because it turns you from audience into participant. You’re holding a drink while the host frames what you’ll be doing and what to pay attention to.

Next comes a tasting flight of three different flavoured gin samples. This is where you learn your own preferences quickly. You’ll get to compare how botanicals and flavour styles change the way gin smells and tastes.

Neil’s style also seems to be a big part of the success here. People consistently praise his mix of humour and clear teaching. That matters because distilling can sound complicated, but if someone explains the why behind the steps, you’ll enjoy it more and remember it longer.

Distill your bespoke handmade 500ml gin bottle

The main event is making your own gin. During the distillation, each guest distills and makes a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle that you take home.

This isn’t a generic souvenir bottle where the recipe stays the same for everyone. You’ll be creating something tailored to your tastes, and the tasting earlier helps you make better choices later. If you like tinkering, this part is the payoff.

One thing I appreciate about a workshop like this is the pacing. You’re not rushed through a science demo. You get time to understand what’s going on, then you get to apply it to your own batch.

And you’ll get to taste your new bespoke gin near the end. That feedback loop makes the whole process feel real, not just performative.

Your gin cocktail while the distillation finishes

While your distillation is running, you’re not left twiddling your thumbs. Each guest receives a gin cocktail to enjoy while you wait.

This is a smart design choice. Distillation takes time, and rather than leaving you to sit through the “waiting” part, you get another drink that keeps the experience fun and social.

I’d treat this as your gentle reminder to slow down. You’re tasting throughout the session, and then you’ll taste your final bottle before bottling, labeling, and sealing. Pace yourself so you can enjoy the end result.

Taste, bottle, label, and wax seal for the trip home

Near the end, you taste the gin you made. Then the final steps happen: bottling, labeling, and wax sealing.

These last tasks are small, but they’re the difference between a tasting and a keepsake. A wax seal turns your bottle into something you’ll actually show off, and labeling helps you remember what you created.

If you’re buying a gift, this is a strong move. You’re not just purchasing alcohol in a shop. You’re leaving with a bottle that has your personal choices behind it.

It also means you can plan your takeaway. If you’re traveling through the city after, you’ll want to keep the bottle secure and avoid smashing it in your bag. A sealed bottle is still a glass bottle, so wrap it well.

Price and value: what $114 buys you

At $114 per person for a roughly three-hour workshop, the big question is whether you’re paying for instruction or for product.

Here’s what you get:

• a welcome G+T on arrival
• tasting three different flavoured gin samples
• distillation and making your own 500ml bottle
• a gin cocktail while your gin finishes distilling
• tasting your final bespoke gin
• bottling, labeling, and wax sealing

That’s why it tends to feel like value. You’re paying for a guided experience plus a bottle you take home. If you were to buy a guided tasting plus a craft bottle separately, you’d often end up spending more than this single, packaged session.

The only “value” snag is that no food is included. If you’re the type who likes to snack during tours, you’ll need to handle that outside the workshop.

Who this Edinburgh gin workshop is best for

This fits best if you like hands-on activities and you enjoy learning through tasting. It’s also a solid choice if you want something adult and playful rather than another museum-style stop.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

• you’re curious about how gin flavour choices connect to the final taste
• you want a guided experience with room for your own preferences
• you like small-group attention rather than a crowd experience

It’s not for everyone. It isn’t suitable for children under 18, and it isn’t suitable for people with mobility impairments due to the downstairs location.

Because the session supports a small group limited to 2 participants, it can feel especially nice for couples or friends who want a shared activity with more personal attention.

Practical tips to get the best out of your session

A little prep makes the whole thing smoother.

• Eat before you go. There’s no food served, and you’ll be tasting more than once.
• Arrive on time. The guide meets you upstairs after you enter the Cumberland Bar about 15 minutes early.
• Plan your evening. You’ll be drinking a welcome G+T plus a cocktail during distillation and tasting your final product.
• Ask questions during the tastings. The three-flavoured samples are your chance to figure out what you want before you build your own bottle.

Also, keep your expectations aligned. This is a workshop. You’re going to participate and make decisions, not just watch someone else do it.

Should you book this Edinburgh gin distillation workshop?

I’d book it if you want a memorable Edinburgh activity that produces a real take-home item, not just photos. The pairing of tasting first and then making your own gin is a great structure, and the small group size helps it feel personal.

The biggest reasons to pass are simple: the downstairs room isn’t wheelchair accessible, and there’s no food served. If those points work for you, this is one of those rare experiences where the instruction turns into a bottle you can actually share.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Edinburgh gin distillation workshop?

It lasts about 3 hours.

Where does the workshop start in Edinburgh?

It starts in the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street. You enter the main entrance about 15 minutes before, and your guide is upstairs to lead you to the downstairs workshop area.

What drinks are included?

You get a welcome G+T on arrival, then a gin cocktail while distillation is happening.

Do you get to taste the gin?

Yes. You taste 3 different flavoured gin samples at the start, and you taste your new bespoke gin before bottling.

How big is the bottle you make?

You make a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle of gin that you take home.

Is food included?

No. Unfortunately, no food is served on this tour.

What is the group size?

It’s a small group limited to 2 participants.

Is it suitable for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

No. The room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.