Your gin gets a name in Aberdeen. This hands-on gin school turns you into a mini distiller, with your own 70cl bottle and plenty of double G&T to get the fun rolling. The one thing to keep in mind is the aroma-heavy nature of the room—skip strong fragrances and expect some standing during the tastings.

I like that the team leans in with real guidance. Dan and Alan help shape your flavor choices and keep your batch on track, even if gin is totally new to you. You’ll learn the process, sample a range of gins, distill, bottle, and then leave with a finished gin plus some branded swag.

Key points before you book

• Your own 70cl bottle to take home after you create the recipe
• Double G&T on arrival, plus drinks throughout the session
• 100+ botanicals to build your flavor profile, including fresh citrus and Macedonian juniper
• London Dry and fruit gin tastings so you understand styles, not just recipes
• Railway-arch location in Aberdeen where the scene feels distinctly local, even with trains overhead

Railway-Arch Arrival: Meeting at Arch #10

This experience starts in a very Aberdeen kind of setting: a railway arch. Head to the entrance labeled Arch #10, then go in through the arch doorway. It helps to arrive with enough time to settle in, because once you’re inside, the session moves quickly from greetings to tasting.

The whole class is 2 hours, which is an ideal length. Long enough to learn the basics, make meaningful choices, and actually watch (and take part in) the gin-making steps. Short enough that you’re not stuck for half a day when all you really want is a good story and a bottle to bring home.

A practical note: the distillery is described as single level, which is great for getting around. There’s also a dropped curb close to the property, plus a wheelchair WC available. The gin-making bench is designed for extra mobility needs too, though places are limited, so it’s smart to plan ahead if you need a specific setup.

Welcome Double G&T and the Fast Track to Your Tastes

You’ll begin with a double G&T on arrival. That’s not just a nice start—it sets your palate right away. After that, you’ll get samples from the gin range and some mixers, and the structure helps you figure out what you actually like (rather than guessing).

In past sessions, Dan and Alan are known for jumping in early and staying hands-on. One of the best parts of this setup is that you’re not left alone with a tasting glass while everyone else does the boring work. You get help choosing a direction, then you get repeated chances to taste and adjust.

You’ll also find the drinks aren’t restricted to gin alone. Along the way there are additional alcoholic options, including Prosecco and a berry cocktail, plus non-alcoholic alternatives like water and soft drinks. That matters if you want to stay social without going overboard.

One more thing: the class is designed around aroma and flavor. The guidance is to avoid strong fragrances, because perfumed clothes or hair can overpower what you’re trying to smell in the botanicals. It’s a small rule, but it makes your tastings more accurate—and more fun.

Picking Botanicals Like a Distiller (Juniper, Citrus, and Spices)

This is where the experience earns its keep. You use premium organic alcohol and choose from over 100 botanicals. That’s not “pick one of three flavors.” It’s real choice. You’re building a recipe that fits your taste, not copying a standard label.

A key ingredient in the classic style is Macedonian juniper, described as a cornerstone of a traditional gin recipe. Juniper is the backbone in most gin, but the way you balance it with citrus, herbs, and spice is what makes your gin feel like yours.

You’ll also have access to fresh citrus, plus botanical options described broadly from places far beyond Scotland—think oranges and even Asian-style spice notes, based on what’s available in the program. Since you’re tasting the range as you go, you’re not just throwing botanicals into a recipe and hoping. You’re learning how changes taste, then applying that knowledge to your own mix.

If you’re a total beginner, don’t worry. The process is set up to guide you through decisions. If you already like gin, you’ll appreciate how the class turns preferences into actual recipe steps.

The Distilling Step: Turning Botanicals Into Your Batch

At some point, you get to the part most people came for: watching the transformation from botanical ingredients to finished gin. The experience frames it as you becoming the mastermind behind the bottle, and the guidance from the head distiller is central here.

What makes this step valuable is that you learn it as a process, not a magic trick. You’ll be guided through the steps of distilling using premium organic alcohol, with your botanicals tied to the profile you chose earlier. You’re still learning the fundamentals, but you’re also producing something real enough to bottle and take home.

Even if you’re not a “science person,” you’ll understand the logic: gin flavor comes from the botanicals, and distilling is the method that carries those flavors into the spirit. Your job is to set the flavor direction early, then let the process do what it does.

Also, don’t expect the room to be a silent lab. One highlight is that trains rumble overhead. That background sound is part of the charm here. The session feels tied to the city, not locked in a themed, pretend set.

Sampling Like a Pro: London Dry and Fruit Gin Styles

A smart part of this gin school is that you don’t just make your bottle and call it a day. You sample a range of gins so you learn what different styles taste like in practice.

You’ll try both London Dry and fruit gin styles, and that helps you understand the difference between gin that leans on traditional structure and gin that brings forward fruit notes. This matters because people often say they like gin, but what they actually like might be juniper-forward, citrus-forward, or something more rounded and sweet.

The tastings are also paired with practical guidance. In one review, the sampling method is described as tasting neat first, then trying mixers for each. That’s useful because mixers can change everything: a botanical that feels sharp neat can feel balanced with the right mixer, and the opposite can happen too. You’re not just tasting to be polite—you’re training your palate.

And yes, there’s more to drink across the session, including Prosecco and a berry cocktail. It keeps the mood lively, especially for couples or birthdays, while you’re learning.

Bottling, Naming, and the Satisfaction of a Done Bottle

The payoff arrives when you bottle your gin. This is more than a souvenir step. It gives the session closure and makes your choices feel concrete. You’re not leaving with a vague idea of how gin works—you’re taking home a 70cl bottle that reflects your recipe.

Before the end, there’s the fun final challenge: you get to name your gin. It’s silly in the best way, but it also forces you to think about what your bottle tastes like. If your recipe is citrus-bright, your name will probably reflect that. If it leans spiced, you’ll likely pick something that sounds warmer or bolder.

Then there’s a surprise cocktail at the end to toast your new title as an Aberdeen distiller. The exact flavor isn’t listed, but the format is clear: you finish with a final drink built to celebrate what you made.

After that, you also pick up swag—drink mats, a branded pen, and a postcard. It’s small, but it makes the experience feel like a real event, not just a class you pass through.

Price and Value: What $190 Buys You in 2 Hours

At around $190 per person for a 2-hour session, you’re not paying for a talk. You’re paying for hands-on instruction, tastings, multiple drinks, and the most expensive part for most gin lovers: a bottle you take home.

This value equation changes depending on what you’d otherwise do. If you were planning to buy a nice gin bottle and spend the afternoon wandering, this is a different kind of spend. Here, you get guided tastings and the experience of building your own recipe—with enough structure that you come away feeling confident, not confused.

Also, the session includes alcohol throughout and a welcome double G&T, plus non-alcoholic alternatives. That means part of what you pay goes toward keeping the experience social and steady while you learn.

If you’re strict about budget, it’s still a splurge. But if you want something genuinely hands-on in Aberdeen, and you care about craft spirits, the bottle and the guided steps are what make it feel fair.

Who Should Book This Gin School, and Who Might Not

This experience fits best if you want a guided, playful craft session with a real endpoint. It’s great for:

• Couples looking for a memorable date idea that doesn’t feel like a standard dinner
• Gin newcomers who want clear steps and help shaping a recipe
• Gin fans who like tasting styles and comparing what botanicals actually do

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re very sensitive to strong scents or don’t want to spend time in an aroma-focused room (the advice to avoid strong fragrances is real for a reason)
• You want a quiet, museum-style experience instead of a lively, drink-included class
• You need very specific accessibility accommodations. The space is described as single level and bench seating is designed for mobility needs, but places are limited, so you should contact the team to confirm what’s possible for your setup.

Also, pets aren’t allowed except guide dogs. If you’re traveling with a companion animal, plan for that in advance.

Quick Practical Tips for the Best Experience

These are the details that help you get the most out of the session:

• Bring your passport or ID card.
• Avoid strong fragrances so you can actually smell botanicals properly.
• Wear something comfortable. There are some standing sections, even though seats are available throughout.
• If you’re booking with mobility needs, note that the bench is designed for wheelchairs and scooters but availability is limited, so check what fits your situation.
• The meeting point is very specific: Arch #10 in the railway arches.

And if you want a small extra perk, free Wi-Fi and branded swag are included—handy if you want to share photos while everything is still fresh in your mind.

Should You Book the City of Aberdeen Gin School?

If you want a true hands-on experience and you care about taking something home that matches your taste, I’d book this. The combination of your own 70cl bottle, guided distilling steps, and the structured tastings (including London Dry and fruit styles) is what makes it more than a drink-and-learn afternoon.

Choose it especially if you’re the type who likes making choices, tasting your way through preferences, and leaving with a bottle that isn’t just off-the-shelf. If you’re trying to keep things super quiet, fragrance-free, or pet-friendly, you may want to think twice. But for most people—especially couples, birthdays, and first-timers—it’s a fun, practical way to understand gin and leave Aberdeen with something you personally made.

FAQ

How long is the gin school experience?

It lasts 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You should enter the railway arch at Arch #10 (as indicated above the doorway).

What do I take home at the end?

You make and bottle your own Scottish gin in a 70cl bottle that you take home.

Is there a welcome drink?

Yes. You get a double G&T on arrival.

What kinds of drinks are included during the session?

You’ll have alcoholic drinks throughout, and the program also notes samples of Aberdeen Gin, plus Prosecco and a berry cocktail. Non-alcoholic alternatives like water and soft drinks are available too.

Do I get to choose botanicals for my gin?

Yes. You use premium organic alcohol and select from over 100 botanicals, including handpicked options like Macedonian juniper and fresh citrus.

Can beginners join if I don’t know much about gin?

Yes. The experience is structured so you learn how to make gin and how your choices affect flavor.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

It is described as wheelchair accessible. The distillery is all on one level with a dropped curb near the property, and a wheelchair WC is available. The gin-making bench is designed for additional mobility needs, but places are limited.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not permitted in the distillery, except for guide dogs.

What should I bring with me?

Bring your passport or ID card.