Distill a bottle of Gin on mini copper stills

Gin gets much more interesting when you make it yourself. This three-hour session at Sip Antics gives you a friendly introduction to gin production, three tasting samples, and the chance to create a 500ml bottle of personal gin using your own botanical recipe. I especially like the tiny class size, with a maximum of two people, and the fact that you leave with something useful rather than a generic souvenir.

The other big draw is the teaching. Neil receives especially warm praise for his humor, musical touches, and clear explanations, while Gary is noted for helping people shape a recipe around their own tastes. The main consideration is the price, $125.01 per person, which is a serious spend for an afternoon activity. It makes the most sense if you enjoy gin, cocktails, or hands-on food and drink experiences.

Key Points

• Your own mini copper still: You distill your selected botanicals on an individual still rather than simply watching a demonstration.
• A 500ml bottle to take home: You name, label, wax seal, and bottle your finished gin.
• Three tasting samples first: The early tasting helps you work out which styles and flavors suit you.
• A maximum of two people: This is a highly personal class, with plenty of time for direct help.
• A drink while your gin distills: You receive gin and tonic on arrival, then enjoy a cocktail during the waiting period.
• Central Edinburgh meeting point: The session begins and ends at The Cumberland Bar on Cumberland Street.

Why This Edinburgh Gin Class Is Different

Many distillery visits are built around watching someone else work. Here, you are given a recipe, ingredients, and a small still of your own. That change matters. You are not just learning that gin contains botanicals. You are testing how those botanicals affect the final drink.

The class takes place in a bespoke micro distillery room connected with Sip Antics, a gin and rum school. The setting is designed for a small, social lesson rather than a large factory tour. With only two people allowed on the activity, you should expect direct conversation and personal guidance instead of standing in the back of a crowded room.

I like this format because it gives the session a clear purpose. You arrive curious, taste several examples, make decisions about your recipe, distill the spirit, and leave with a named bottle. The finished drink becomes a reminder of Edinburgh that you can actually use and share.

The hosts also seem to be a major part of the appeal. Neil is repeatedly praised for being funny, warm, and good at explaining the character of different gin styles. Gary is praised for helping people create a bottle that fits their tastes. The atmosphere appears relaxed rather than formal, which is useful if you know very little about gin.

Meeting at The Cumberland Bar at Noon

The experience begins at 12:00 p.m. at The Cumberland Bar, 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT. The activity ends back at this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The starting point is near public transportation, which makes it practical to reach from other parts of Edinburgh. You should still allow enough time to arrive before noon, since the session has a fixed start time and the first drink is part of the welcome.

The meeting point also makes this easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. You could schedule it between morning plans and an evening meal, though you should remember that this is a three-hour activity involving several alcoholic drinks. It is best treated as a main event for the afternoon, not a quick stop between museum visits.

The experience is offered in English. Mobile tickets are accepted, and service animals are allowed. Those details are simple, but useful when you are organizing a busy Edinburgh schedule.

A Gin and Tonic Sets the Tone

On arrival, you receive a gin and tonic before the class begins. This is more than a welcome drink. It gives you time to settle into the small room and get used to the idea that the session will mix instruction with tasting.

The host starts by explaining how the class works. You learn what will happen before you begin choosing ingredients, which helps the process feel manageable. The aim is not to turn you into a distiller in one afternoon. Instead, you get a practical look at the decisions that shape a gin.

I appreciate this gentle beginning. Gin can seem simple because it is often served with tonic and a garnish. Once you start thinking about botanical mixes, you quickly see how much variety exists between different bottles.

You should pace yourself from the start. The welcome gin and tonic is followed by more samples and a cocktail later. The class lasts around three hours, so there is no need to hurry through any drink.

Three Tastings Help You Find Your Style

The next stage includes three different gin tasting samples. This is one of the most useful parts of the class because it gives you a flavor reference before you build your own recipe.

You may already have a favorite gin, but tasting several botanical combinations side by side can reveal what you actually enjoy. You might prefer a bright citrus note, a more herbal profile, or a stronger juniper character. The session gives you a chance to think about those choices rather than selecting ingredients at random.

The teaching also covers gin styles, history, and the character of different brands and categories. That broader context gives the tasting more meaning. You are not simply deciding which sample tastes nice. You are learning why one gin can feel light and fresh while another seems more earthy, spicy, or traditional.

This is where Neil’s teaching style seems particularly valuable. His explanations are described as entertaining and easy to follow, with enough detail to make people more confident gin selectors without turning the class into a technical lecture.

If you normally order gin and tonic without thinking about the bottle, this part alone can improve your future choices. You leave with a better sense of what to look for on a drinks menu or shop shelf.

Building a Recipe From Botanicals

After tasting, you design your own gin recipe from the available ingredients. This is the point where the session becomes personal.

The host offers guidance, but you still get room to make your own choices. That balance matters. Too much direction would make every bottle similar. Too little would leave you guessing. The praise for Neil and Gary centers on their ability to explain the options while allowing individual interpretation.

You might begin with an idea of the flavor you want, then adjust it after discussing the ingredients. The class is particularly well suited to anyone who likes experimenting with cocktails or food. You are making decisions about balance, not just following a fixed recipe.

Do not feel pressured to produce something unusual for the sake of it. A successful personal gin does not need an exotic combination. The better goal is a bottle that reflects what you like to drink. The host’s role is to help you understand how your selected botanicals may work together.

This is also the part where the small class size earns its keep. With no more than two people, you should have time to ask questions and receive attention as you develop your recipe. In a larger group, that personal help would be harder to guarantee.

Distilling on an Individual Mini Copper Still

Once you have chosen your botanicals, you use an individual mini copper still to make the gin. This is the most distinctive feature of the class.

A copper still gives you a clear physical connection to the process. Instead of only hearing about distillation, you watch your own batch move through the equipment. The result is a 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of gin.

The scale is small, but the experience is hands-on. You are not operating a full commercial distillery, and this is not a professional qualification. It is a carefully presented introduction that lets you see how a chosen mix becomes a finished spirit.

The distilling stage takes time, which is why the cocktail is served while you wait. This pause gives the class a natural rhythm. You have already tasted gin and designed your recipe, and now you can relax while your batch develops.

I see this as a strong use of the three-hour format. The waiting period does not feel like dead time because it is built into the session with another drink and conversation. Still, anyone looking for constant action should know that the process includes a slower stretch while the gin is distilling.

Tasting, Naming, and Wax Sealing Your Bottle

Once your gin has been distilled, you taste it before bottling. This final tasting brings the class back to where it began. You can compare your own creation with the samples from earlier and consider how your botanical choices affected the result.

Then comes the part that turns the drink into a proper souvenir. You bottle, label, name, and wax seal your gin before taking it home. The 500ml size is substantial enough to share with family or friends, while still being a manageable keepsake from Scotland.

The naming step adds a bit of personality. You are not leaving with a bottle chosen by a shop assistant. You have made the recipe, tasted the result, and given it an identity.

This is one reason the activity works well as a special holiday memory. Several people describe the bottle as something they were proud to share at home. It carries a direct connection to the class, unlike a standard bottle bought from a distillery shop.

The finished gin may also help you remember specific preferences. After making your own recipe, you are likely to notice botanical choices more clearly in other gins. The value is both the bottle and the understanding gained while producing it.

What the $125.01 Price Includes

At $125.01 per person, this is not a budget drink tasting. The price needs to be judged against the full three-hour package.

You receive a gin and tonic on arrival, three tasting samples, help creating a recipe, use of an individual mini copper still, a cocktail during distillation, and a 500ml bottle to take home. You also get the guided teaching that ties those parts together.

Compared with simply buying a premium bottle of gin, the class gives you a longer activity and a personal result. Compared with a standard distillery tour, it offers far more participation. The price becomes easier to justify if you value the lesson and the small group as much as the alcohol itself.

I would not recommend booking this solely because you want a cheap drink. You are paying for time, instruction, equipment, and the finished bottle. If you do not like gin or prefer passive sightseeing, the cost may feel high.

For gin fans, couples, and people who enjoy making things, the value is stronger. The maximum of two people means you are not paying for an impersonal group class. The bottle also gives you something tangible for the money.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this experience to anyone who already enjoys gin and wants to understand it better. It is also a good choice for someone who likes cocktails but has never thought much about how spirits are made.

Couples are an obvious fit because the class is limited to two people. The format should also suit friends or family members who enjoy a shared activity and do not mind spending several hours indoors with drinks and conversation.

It can work for beginners, too. You do not need to arrive with detailed gin knowledge. The tasting samples and personal guidance are designed to help you make choices, and the teaching is described as clear and entertaining.

I would be more cautious about booking it for someone who does not drink alcohol, dislikes botanical flavors, or wants a fast-paced sightseeing activity. The class centers on tasting and making gin, so those are not minor parts of the experience.

The activity is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following explanations and discussing flavor choices in English.

Practical Details Before You Book

The activity lasts approximately three hours and starts at noon. It begins and ends at The Cumberland Bar, making the transport plan simple.

It is often booked around 48 days ahead. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it suggests that you should not leave this until the last day of a short Edinburgh visit, especially since the class accepts only two people.

Confirmation is provided when you book. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Because you will be tasting several drinks, plan the rest of your day sensibly. The class itself supplies the drinks listed as part of the session, so you do not need to add a separate tasting plan before or during it.

Should You Book This Gin-Making Session?

I would book it if you want more than a standard Edinburgh tasting. The strongest reasons are the two-person class, the practical use of a mini copper still, and the 500ml bottle you create and seal yourself.

The host matters here, and Neil receives especially strong praise for combining humor, warmth, and clear teaching. Gary is also praised for helping people shape a gin around their own tastes. The personal attention appears to be a central part of the experience, not a small bonus.

I would skip it if $125.01 feels too high for a drinks activity or if you are mainly interested in seeing Edinburgh sights. But for a gin lover, cocktail fan, or couple looking for a memorable indoor activity, this offers a satisfying mix of learning, tasting, and making.

FAQ

Where does the gin-making experience begin?

It begins at The Cumberland Bar, located at 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the experience finish?

It finishes back at The Cumberland Bar, the same place where it begins.

How many people can take part?

The activity has a maximum of two people.

Do I receive a drink when I arrive?

Yes. You receive a gin and tonic on arrival.

How many gin samples are included?

You taste three different gin samples before creating your own recipe.

How much gin can I take home?

You make a 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of gin to take home.

Can I name and label my gin?

Yes. You can taste the finished gin, then bottle, label, name, and wax seal it.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted or refunded.