You can leave Edinburgh with your own bottle of gin. This 3-hour gin distillation workshop at Sip Antics Micro Distillery mixes education, tasting, and hands-on bottling in a small-group setting. You’ll sample multiple gins, then make a custom 500ml (50cl) bottle to take home.

I really like the format: you get a welcome drink, a guided gin tasting to train your palate, and then a distillation session where you can shape your own recipe with help from the host, Neil. The other big win is the payoff at the end: you taste your batch before bottling, then label and wax-seal it. One thing to plan for: the hosting room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible.

Key moments worth planning for

• Make your own 500ml (50cl) gin bottle you take home in a labeled, wax-sealed finish
• Guided tasting of 3 flavoured gin samples so you understand what you like before you create
• A host who’s funny and genuinely passionate, Neil, focused on helping you shape the aromas you prefer
• Gin cocktail while you wait during distillation, so you’re not just standing around
• You taste your bespoke gin before final bottling, which makes the whole thing feel real and personal

Where to start: Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street

The experience meets downstairs in the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street. The simplest move is to arrive about 15 minutes early and enter the main bar entrance; the guide will be upstairs, ready to lead you down when your group is assembled.

This matters because it’s easy to lose time when you’re hunting for the right door inside a busy city center. Once you’re pointed in the right direction, the session feels organized and unhurried, which is exactly what you want for something hands-on and time-sensitive like distilling.

Arrival drinks: your welcome G&T and a quick setup

On arrival, you’ll get a Welcome G&T. It’s not just a nice start; it’s also part of the rhythm. Your brain shifts from walking mode to tasting mode quickly, and you’re ready to notice flavors instead of just sipping.

After that, you’ll get a brief outline of how the workshop flows—what you’ll taste, when your distillation happens, and what you’ll make. With a small group limited to 2 participants, the pace is flexible enough for questions, but structured enough that you’re not stuck waiting for others.

The gin tasting that actually helps you build your bottle

Next up is the tasting portion: you’ll sample 3 different flavoured gin samples. This is the part that gives you the “why” behind what you’re doing later. Instead of showing up cold and hoping your instincts work, you learn what different profiles taste like and what kinds of aromas you gravitate toward.

Even if you’re a beginner, this segment is valuable because it teaches you how to think about gin beyond the word gin. You start noticing things like the overall character, the way flavors show up, and how aromatics change the way a sip feels.

If you already know gin, you still benefit because the tasting is guided, and the host can help you connect your preferences to what you’ll be able to create. The reviews highlight Neil’s talent for making the session fun while still being instructional, and that matches how this kind of tasting works best: you leave with a clearer palate, not just a few drinks in your system.

Distilling and crafting your bespoke 500ml bottle

Now comes the main event: each guest distills and makes a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle of gin to take home.

A hands-on distillation workshop like this is about more than turning a crank. The real value is that you get to shape the gin’s personality—especially in the aromatic choices—rather than just watching a demonstration. While you’re creating, Neil helps you experiment with what you like and put that into your batch.

Why the “bespoke” part is the point

A lot of food and drink tours end with a generic souvenir. This one ends with something personal. You’ll leave with a bottle that reflects your own taste choices, not a preset label chosen for convenience.

And because the group is tiny, you’re not stuck as a passive observer. You can ask questions, adjust your direction, and get guidance while the process is happening.

The practical reality: you’ll wait while distillation runs

Distillation takes time. That’s not a downside here—it’s built into the schedule.

Cocktail time while your gin is finishing

While your distillation is going on, you’ll receive a gin cocktail to enjoy while you wait. This is smart planning. It keeps the experience moving, and it also gives you a chance to keep enjoying gin while your batch is being made.

There’s no claim that this is a full bar crawl. It’s a structured pause with a drink that fits the theme. You’ll have a moment to reset, chat, and stay comfortable while the workshop’s technical side finishes.

Tasting your own gin before you bottle it

Once distillation is done, you get to taste your new bespoke gin before bottling. This is one of those details that makes the whole experience feel less like a gimmick.

Instead of assuming your bottle will taste great because it’s yours, you actually get to evaluate it in real time. If you like the profile, you can feel confident moving into the final steps. If something is surprising, you’ll at least learn how your choices landed on your palate.

Then it’s time for the finishing work: you’ll bottle your gin, and you’ll also do the labeling and wax sealing. That wax-seal step turns the bottle into a real keepsake, not just a filled container.

What you get for the price: $114 for 3 hours in Edinburgh

At $114 per person for a 3-hour workshop, you’re paying for three things at once: instruction, ingredients/tools time, and a take-home product that’s more than a small tasting pour.

Here’s how I’d judge the value:

• You take home a 500ml (50cl) bottle. That’s the biggest part of the cost math. You’re not leaving with a sample. You leave with a full bottle you made.
• You get guided tastings plus cocktails. This isn’t a pure class with water and no fun. The included drinks are part of the flow and help keep the session enjoyable.
• You benefit from the tiny group size. Limited to 2 participants, so the guidance feels direct. That kind of attention is hard to get in larger group activities.

One fair consideration is that there’s no food served. If you come hungry, the drinks and the workshop pace may feel a bit intense. Plan to eat before you go, especially if you’re sensitive to alcohol or you’re sharing the time with someone who gets tired of tasting.

Meeting logistics and the downstairs room issue

The meeting point is straightforward once you know where to look: the experience is downstairs in Cumberland Bar, with your guide waiting upstairs if you arrive early enough.

The bigger practical note is accessibility: the hosting room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If stairs are a problem for you, this one is likely a no-go.

Also, it’s not suitable for children under 18. So plan for this to be an adult-focused experience.

Who this Edinburgh gin workshop suits best

I think this is a strong choice if you want an Edinburgh activity that’s not just sightseeing. It’s best for people who enjoy hands-on making, prefer structured tastings, and like the idea of leaving with a tangible souvenir that isn’t mass-produced.

It’s also a good match if you:

• like tasting different flavor styles and want help figuring out your preferences
• want a guided, friendly host (Neil is repeatedly praised for both humor and clarity)
• enjoy small groups where you can actually interact instead of watching

If you’re mainly looking for a show with zero participation, you might find it less your style. This workshop works because you make decisions and you help shape the gin, not because you sit through a lecture.

Practical tips so your 3-hour session feels smooth

A few small moves will make this easier:

• Eat beforehand. No food is served, and you’ll have a welcome G&T, a gin cocktail during distillation, plus tastings.
• Go early to Cumberland Bar. That 15-minute buffer helps you get oriented without stress.
• Take your time with the tastings. The 3 flavoured samples are there to help you choose what you want for your bespoke bottle.
• Ask Neil questions during the process. With only 2 participants, you’ll get better value from direct guidance than from guessing.

And if you’re the type who likes a good story to tell later, this is one you’ll actually have details for. You’ll remember what you chose, what you liked, and how your own bottle ended up.

Should you book this gin distillation workshop?

If you want a fun, adult-friendly Edinburgh experience that ends with something real—a labeled, wax-sealed 500ml bottle of gin you made yourself—then yes, I’d book it. The tiny group size, the guided tasting before you craft, and the chance to taste your own gin before bottling are the three features that make it feel worth the money.

I’d skip it only if stairs or mobility limits are an issue, if you’re under 18, or if you’re expecting a food-focused outing. Otherwise, it’s a smart way to spend a chunk of time in Edinburgh that’s different from the usual city checklist.

FAQ

How long is the Edinburgh gin distillation workshop?

The experience runs for 3 hours.

Where exactly do I meet for the workshop?

You meet at the gin experience downstairs in the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street in Edinburgh. If you enter the main entrance about 15 minutes early, the guide will be upstairs to lead you.

What’s included in the price?

You’ll receive a Welcome G&T, taste 3 different flavoured gin samples, distill and make a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle of gin to take home, enjoy a gin cocktail while your gin distills, then taste your gin before bottling. You’ll also bottle, label, and wax-seal your gin.

Is food included?

No. Unfortunately, no food is served.

Do I get to make a full bottle, or just taste?

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

How many gins do we taste during the workshop?

You’ll taste 3 different flavoured gin samples as part of the tasting session.

Do I get a cocktail during the distillation time?

Yes. While distillation takes place, each guest receives a gin cocktail to enjoy while waiting.

What size is the group?

It’s a small group limited to 2 participants.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

No. The room where the gin school is hosted is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible, and it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What’s the age limit?

It’s not suitable for children under 18 years.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the instructor English-speaking?

Yes, the instructor is English.