Rum-making in Edinburgh feels hands-on and fun. In this 3-hour rum distillation workshop, I like how Sip Antics Micro Distillery turns alcohol education into a real, you-can-do-this moment, from tasting to bottling. With a small group limited to 2, and a host like Neil known for staying energetic and entertaining, the whole evening feels personal rather than like a lecture.

One thing to plan for: no food is served, so you’ll want a proper meal before you arrive (and you’ll still likely taste several rums and a cocktail).

Key things that make this workshop worth your time

• Distill your own bespoke 500ml bottle (50cl) and take it home with label and wax seal
• Welcome rum + mixer on arrival, so the experience starts with drinking
• Taste 3 different flavoured rum samples before you make your blend
• Sip a rum cocktail while distillation finishes, so you’re not just waiting around
• A host-led history of micro distilling from Sip Antics Micro Distillery, delivered in plain language

Getting oriented: Cumberland Bar, downstairs room, and a 3-hour flow

This experience runs in Edinburgh inside the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street. When you arrive, go in the main entrance about 15 minutes early; the guide will be upstairs and then direct you to where the rum school portion happens downstairs.

Even if you’re new to rum, the structure is easy to follow. You start with a welcome drink, then you learn what you’re tasting and why, and then you shift into hands-on work when it’s time to create your own bottle. The timing matters because distillation takes a while, and you’re not left sitting there—there’s a cocktail break built in while the process runs.

Also, this is an adult-focused workshop. It’s not set up for kids, and it’s not wheelchair accessible because the room is downstairs.

Who’s running the show: Sip Antics Micro Distillery and host Neil’s style

The workshop is provided by Sip Antics Micro Distillery, and the host brings a mix of knowledge and energy. In recent sessions, the host was Neil, and that matters because the best part of a distillery workshop isn’t just the equipment—it’s the person translating what’s happening.

Neil’s approach (as described in bookings) sticks to an engaging pace: enough context to understand the steps, plus enough entertainment to keep attention without turning it into a performance. That’s exactly what you want if you’re there to learn and make something, not just listen for three hours.

If you enjoy questions—about flavour, process, or what makes one rum taste different from another—this kind of host style helps you actually get answers instead of feeling rushed through a script.

The tasting starts early: welcome rum, 3 flavour samples, and a cocktail break

The evening doesn’t wait until later to get you tasting. On arrival, each guest receives a rum + mixer. It sets the tone right away, and it also gives you a baseline for what rum drinks can taste like before you start comparing flavoured samples.

Next comes the formal tasting portion. You’ll sample 3 different flavoured rum options, guided by your host. This part is more useful than it sounds, because it trains your palate before you choose your own ingredients for your bottle. You’re not guessing in the dark—you’re tasting a range first, then applying what you liked.

Then there’s a smart timing trick: while your distillation is finishing, you’ll get a rum cocktail to enjoy. That’s a nice break from standing at the bench, and it keeps the experience feeling like an actual evening rather than a wait-and-wait-and-wait routine.

Learning the basics: rum history and how micro distilling differs

Before you get hands-on, your host walks you through the history of the micro distillery and how the experience will unfold. Even if you already know rum is made by distilling fermented ingredients, micro distilling is where the story gets practical.

This kind of explanation is valuable because it helps you connect:

• what you’re tasting
• what choices go into your bottle
• why flavour can shift even when the starting spirit family is the same

You don’t need to be an expert. The goal here is to help you understand what you’re doing when you make your own rum blend, and why the final bottle won’t taste identical to the samples you tried earlier.

Hands-on distilling: making a bespoke 500ml bottle you’ll actually take home

This is the main event: each guest distills and makes a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle of rum. The key word is bespoke. Instead of making a single pre-set recipe for everyone, you’re building your own blend with hand picked ingredients.

That choice-and-build part changes the value of the workshop. If you’ve ever done a “tasting-only” experience, you leave with knowledge but not with anything personal. Here, you leave with a bottle that reflects your preferences—and you’ll be able to recreate the vibe when you serve it later.

Practical note: distillation takes time, so the workshop is paced to let you participate without feeling chaotic. You’ll have a structured flow where your bottle is being produced while the schedule supports your comfort, including that cocktail you enjoy during the wait.

From your blend to your bottle: tasting, labeling, and wax sealing

Once your rum is ready, you won’t just bottle it and walk away. You’ll taste your new bespoke made rum first, then move into the finishing steps: bottling, labeling, and wax sealing.

This ending matters more than it looks. Tasting before bottling gives you confidence in what you made. Then the label and wax seal turn it into a proper take-home souvenir—something you can keep as a memory or share with friends without it feeling like a generic tourist bottle.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes experiences where the outcome feels tangible, this is one of those formats that hits.

Price and value: is $122 per person fair for Edinburgh?

At $122 per person for a 3-hour workshop, the value mostly depends on what you expect to get out of it.

Here’s what you’re paying for, beyond a simple tasting:

• A guided rum experience with a host running the show in English
• Multiple tastings, including 3 flavoured rum samples
• A welcome rum + mixer
• A rum cocktail during distillation
• Hands-on distillation and the chance to make a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle
• Bottling, labeling, and wax sealing your take-home rum
• A small group set-up limited to 2 participants, which usually means more attention and less waiting

If you compare that to buying rum in a store, the key difference is labor and personalization. You’re not just consuming a drink—you’re making and finishing a bottle yourself under guidance, then leaving with a product you helped create.

If you’re on a tight food budget, there’s one catch: no food is served. That doesn’t make it bad value, but it does mean you should plan your meal timing so the tastings don’t leave you hungry.

Small group energy: why being limited to 2 changes the vibe

The workshop limits the group to 2 participants, which makes a huge difference in a hands-on setting. With fewer people, you get:

• more time for questions
• less friction around shared steps and tasting stations
• a smoother pace while distillation runs

It also helps the host keep things engaging. When you’re working in a small group, entertainment has a purpose. The host isn’t filling time; he’s keeping you informed while you’re actively moving through the stages.

In short: you’ll feel like you’re participating, not watching.

Who this workshop suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a great fit if you:

• like rum and want to understand what’s driving flavour
• want a hands-on activity instead of a passive tasting
• enjoy making a take-home item that isn’t just a small bottle from a shop
• prefer a small group format

It’s not suitable for:

• children under 18
• pregnant women
• wheelchair users, since the room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible

If you’re unsure, think about whether you’re comfortable participating in a guided alcohol experience that includes tastings plus a cocktail, and whether you can comfortably manage a downstairs room environment.

What to bring (and how to make it more enjoyable)

Nothing complicated is required from the information given, but you can still make the evening smoother with a few common-sense moves:

• Eat before you go. Since no food is served, a meal earlier helps you enjoy the tastings without feeling off.
• Go with a curious mindset. The workshop works best when you’re paying attention to the different samples, because those choices influence your blend.
• Expect to taste and enjoy. This isn’t a dry, formal lesson. You’ll drink at multiple points, so keep your pace easy.

If you’re planning the rest of your evening in Edinburgh, give yourself a little time to slow down afterward—because once you’ve bottled your rum and labeled it, you’ll likely want a calm walk or a relaxing drink-free plan.

Should you book this Edinburgh rum distillation workshop?

I’d book it if you want something more personal than a standard tasting and you care about leaving with a real, handmade 500ml bottle. The blend of guided history, structured tastings, and hands-on distillation makes it feel like an event, not just a stop on your itinerary.

Skip it if you need food included, you’re uncomfortable with alcohol-based tastings and a cocktail, or if your mobility needs don’t match a downstairs setup. Also skip if you’re traveling with children.

If rum is on your list—and you like the idea of customizing your own bottle—this workshop is one of the few options in Edinburgh where the “product” at the end is actually yours.

FAQ

How long is the rum distillation workshop?

It lasts 3 hours.

What is included in the experience?

You get a welcome rum + mixer, a brief history and outline from the host, tastings of 3 flavoured rum samples, the chance to distill and make a bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) bottle, a rum cocktail while distillation takes place, and then you taste your rum before bottling, labeling, and wax sealing it to take home.

Is food included?

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

What can I take home?

You take home your own bespoke handmade 500ml (50cl) rum bottle, with label and wax sealing.

Where do I meet the group?

The experience is located downstairs in the Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street in Edinburgh. Enter the main entrance about 15 minutes before the start time and your guide will be upstairs to lead you to the location.

How many people are in the group?

The group is small, limited to 2 participants.

What language is the workshop taught in?

The instructor and workshop are in English.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

No. The room is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible.

Is it suitable for children or pregnancy?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18, and it is not suitable for pregnant women.

What is the cancellation policy?

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