A good gin class should teach your nose, not just your tongue. This one runs with the head distiller and the team at City of Aberdeen Distillery, and I love that it starts fast with a double G&T and then gets technical—botanicals, single distillates, and real tasting skills. You’re also not stuck sipping politely; there’s time to talk while you sample, plus a final G&T to wrap up.

The biggest drawback to keep in mind: it’s a 2-hour alcohol-focused session with lots of tasting, and the format is very drink-centered (no meal is mentioned beyond G&Ts). If you’re expecting a long food pairing experience or a quiet tasting with zero mixing, this might not match your style.

Key Points Before You Go

• Head distiller-led tasting with a focus on recognizing flavors from botanicals
• Single distillates from London Dry-style components, distilled separately so you can train your palate
• Mixologist segment where you blend distillates to make your own glass
• Mystery botanical challenge using flavor clues to guess what was distilled
• London Dry and fruit Aberdeen Gins served from French glass demi-johns
• Q&A at the end with practical topics like storage and buying decisions

Gin Tasting in Aberdeen: Head Distiller Technique, Not Just Sips

This gin tasting masterclass is built like a mini training course. You’re not only tasting Aberdeen Gin—you’re learning how gin is put together, what botanicals taste like on their own, and how those individual flavors can work together in a finished drink.

The tone is friendly and very hands-on. The class is led by the head distiller, and the supporting team (including Dan and Alan, who come across as passionate and engaged) keeps the pace lively. Reviews point out that the group is small enough to actually chat, laugh, and ask questions without feeling like you’re in a lecture hall.

You’ll also notice the experience feels tied to Aberdeen Gin specifically. You’re sampling the range—both London Dry and fruit gins—so you get a clearer sense of how the same spirit base can shift dramatically when you change botanicals and recipes.

The 2-Hour Flow: From Arrival G&T to Final Sip and Q&A

The class runs for about 2 hours, starting at 2:00 pm and ending back at the meeting point. The structure matters because it turns tasting into a sequence you can follow:

You begin with an arrival drink, then taste single distillates one step at a time. After that you get to do the fun part—mixing. Finally, you test your new skills with a mystery botanical, choose your favorite gin, and finish with another G&T plus a Q&A.

That pacing is a big part of why this works for first-timers. It gives you just enough framework to feel confident, but not so much theory that you lose the joy.

Meeting at City of Aberdeen Distillery: Easy Start, Small Group Energy

You meet at City of Aberdeen Distillery, Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, UK. It’s near public transportation, which is handy in Aberdeen where you don’t want to waste time after a walk or a museum stop.

The group size is capped at 20 travelers. That’s big enough to create energy, but small enough to keep questions from getting lost. When a class stays this size, you tend to get real interaction—like asking a botanicals question while you’re still tasting your way through it.

Also, you get a mobile ticket and you receive confirmation at booking. Practical? Yes. But practical things reduce the stress, and gin tastes better when you’re not hunting for directions.

Your First Double G&T: The Palate Warm-Up

The masterclass starts with a G&T on arrival, and the experience is described as beginning with a double G&T led by the head distiller. That matters because it sets the baseline. Gin can taste sharp, floral, herbal, or even slightly sweet depending on the botanicals and how it’s served. Starting with a strong reference drink helps you notice what changes when you taste single distillates afterward.

If you’re new to gin tasting, this is a smart approach. You’re not asked to guess what juniper tastes like from scratch. You’re tasting against a drink you already know, then you’re taught to connect flavor impressions to ingredients.

London Dry Botanicals, One by One: Training Your Nose

This is where the class turns from drinking into learning. You sample a range of single distillates, and the idea is that each botanical you’d find in a traditional London Dry Gin has been distilled individually. By tasting them separately, you learn to recognize distinct notes and how they might combine in a finished gin.

This is the core value of a proper masterclass: you stop treating gin like a single flavor and start tasting like an adult—herbal here, citrus or peel there, and something else carrying the backbone. Even if you’re not trying to become a “serious” gin judge, the skill transfers. You’ll start buying gin with more confidence because you’ll know what you actually like.

And yes, you’ll likely wonder what juniper tastes like. That’s part of the point. Juniper is the spine of gin, but it’s not the only actor.

Mixologist Mode: Blend Your Own Gin Like a Creator

Next comes your chance to blend. You become a mixologist and create your own glass by combining the distillates you’ve been tasting.

This segment is fun even if you’re not a hands-on person. It gives you a way to feel how different flavors push and pull. Add more of a certain note and the profile may get more herbal or more bright. Keep it balanced and the gin tastes more cohesive.

You’re also not just mixing blind. You’ve been trained during the earlier tastings, so you can make choices based on what you noticed—not just vibes.

The Mystery Botanical Challenge: Can You Guess by Flavor?

After you’ve blended and tasted, there’s a challenge using a mystery botanical. You taste a single distillate, and then you guess what botanical it is based on flavor.

This is a clever way to check whether your palate learned something. It also forces you to slow down and name what you’re experiencing. Is it more piney? More citrusy? More spicy-herbal? The class pushes you to make those connections in real time.

Even if you don’t get the answer right, you walk away with a stronger sense of how gin flavors are built. That’s the kind of knowledge you can use later when you see a gin description on a bottle.

Aberdeen Gins in French Demi-Johns: London Dry and Fruit Styles

You’ll sample from the range of Aberdeen Gins, served directly from French glass demi-johns. That detail matters more than it sounds. Serving from vessels like this keeps the presentation special and can make the whole tasting feel more like a curated workshop than a casual pour-and-go.

You get both London Dry and fruit gins, so you can compare how the same spirit base plays differently when fruit botanicals and other flavor elements show up. If you only like one type of gin, this is a great chance to see whether the broader range has options for you.

A practical tip: during these rounds, pick one gin note you want to focus on (for you it might be juniper, citrus peel, herbs, or sweetness). Comparing like-to-like improves your recall later, especially if you plan to buy bottles.

Q&A With Real Practical Answers: Storage, Buying, and London Dry

The class ends with a Q&A session, which is often the moment people value most. This one is specifically set up for questions about how to think like a gin buyer and gin owner.

Topics you can ask about include:

• How long you can keep gin
• What to look for when purchasing gin
• Whether London Dry Gin is all from London
• Whether you can make your own gin at home

That Q&A format is a smart finish because it turns tasting into action. After two hours of flavor training, you’re not only excited—you’re also equipped to make better decisions the next time you’re standing in front of shelves.

And because it’s led by the head distiller and supported by the team, you’re more likely to get answers that connect to what you actually tasted during the class.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At about $108.71 per person for roughly 2 hours, you’re paying for more than drinks. You’re paying for:

• Expert guidance from the head distiller
• Distillate-by-distillate tasting structure
• A hands-on blending experience
• A mystery botanical challenge
• Multiple G&Ts during the session
• The chance to ask practical questions at the end

This is the kind of class where you’re not just sampling a product—you’re learning a method. That’s why it tends to feel like good value even for beginners: the skills make future tastings cheaper and more enjoyable.

Also, you get a small-group setup (max 20). When a class is capped that way, the teaching time feels real instead of rushed.

Who This Gin Masterclass Suits Best

I think this is a strong fit if you fall into any of these groups:

• You like gin but want to understand why it tastes the way it does
• You enjoy hands-on activities and want to blend your own drink
• You’re a beginner who wants structure, not vague tasting notes
• You’re shopping for a gin-focused experience in Aberdeen that feels local and specific to Aberdeen Gin

It’s also a good pick for couples or small groups who want a shared activity with plenty of conversation.

If you’re the type who hates being interactive or you’re driving and can’t drink, this might not be your best match. The experience is centered on G&Ts and tasting.

Should You Book This Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen?

Yes, if you want a real gin education without turning it into a complicated course. The combination of a head distiller-led tasting, single botanical focus, and the hands-on blending and mystery challenge makes this more than a standard bar crawl.

It also has strong credibility: the experience carries a 5 out of 5 rating across 13 reviews with 100% recommendation. The comments point to small group energy and a team that shows genuine passion—Dan and Alan are specifically mentioned for being excellent.

One last check before you book: confirm you’re comfortable with an alcohol-forward, 2-hour format. If that sounds good, you’ll likely come away with both better taste instincts and a short list of gins you actually want to buy afterward.

FAQ

FAQ

Where is the gin tasting masterclass in Aberdeen?

It starts at City of Aberdeen Distillery, Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, UK, and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the masterclass last?

The duration is about 2 hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $108.71 per person.

What language is the masterclass offered in?

It’s offered in English.

How many people are in the class?

It has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What drinks and tastings are included?

You get a G&T on arrival, single distillates and gin samples, plus a G&T to order during the class.

Will I get to ask questions during the event?

Yes. The experience ends with a Q&A session where you can ask gin-related questions.

What questions are covered in the Q&A?

Examples include how long gin can be kept, what to look for when purchasing gin, whether London Dry Gin is all from London, and whether you can make your own gin at home.

Does the experience require good weather?

Yes. It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start time aren’t accepted, and refunds aren’t available if you cancel within 24 hours of the start time.