By place · GIN TASTINGS IN EDINBURGH
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 8 gin tastings in Edinburgh worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you commit.
Tour Holyrood Distillery in central Edinburgh with an English-speaking guide such as Courtney, Dave, or Callum. Start with a seasonal cocktail, visit the gin lab and whisky floor, then taste gin and single malt whisky while learning about yeasts, oak, and modern Scotch production.
“We loved our tour with Thais! She was knowledgeable , fun and had a great sense of humor. Would highly reccomended :)”
Settle into a vintage double-decker bus for 90 minutes of Edinburgh sightseeing, afternoon tea, unlimited tea and coffee, and prosecco on arrival. Add an Edinburgh Gin cocktail served in a teapot. Staff such as Helen, Jimmy, and Steven bring humor, music, and helpful landmark pointers, though this is not a full guided tour.
“Such a nice experience, food was yummy, drinks were just as good. Highly recommend!”
At Holyrood Distillery, you’ll tour a young Edinburgh whisky and gin maker, see its experimental approach, and taste several spirits. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Courtney, and Neil bring their own style to the hour-long visit, which ends at the bar and shop.
“Very interesting and good experience! A guide who was passionate about whisky and was very good at explaining and creating a feel-good ambiance.”
At 56 North Distillery, learn how South Loch Gin is made, from botanicals and copper stills to bottling. Your English-speaking guide leads a G&T, three guided samples, and a final cocktail. The tour also includes Scotland’s oldest dedicated gin bar and its extensive spirit collection.
“Very informative and fun! Our lovely guide Abby made the whole experience very interesting and the atmosphere was very cozy. Liked it a lot (including the tastes of the gins) - totally recommend it ✌️”
Spend one hour at Pickering’s Gin in Summerhall with an English-speaking guide such as Jamie, Alyssa, or Max. See the stills, learn the distilling process, taste four gins with different mixers, enjoy a G&T, and leave with a 5cl bottle.
“Our tour was basically a private tour! It was my husband and I with our tour guilds Alissa (I think that’s how she spells it). She still took the time to go over every aspect of the history and distilling process at Pickering’s distillery! My husband is very interested in making his own gin so this “private” tour was excellent for us because he was able to get answers to his questions and have a front row view of their process. We enjoyed their gin so much we bought quite a few bottles for ourselves and friends back home! I love that we got to dip seal our own bottles,…”
At Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches, your English-speaking guide leads a 70-minute tour through gin history, the Flavour Arch, and the Stillhouse. You taste several gins and liqueurs with mixers and garnishes, then finish with a drink in the Distillery Bar. Guests must be 18 or older.
“Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, just the right amount of alcohol with her so nobody consumed too much. It was very interesting to learn about the botanicals that went into the final product.”
Join guides such as Sarah, Sara, Nicky, or Dan for a one-hour gin tasting beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Sample four distinct gins in The Lost Close, learn how gin and tonic evolved, then mix your own serves with different tonics and garnishes.
“Learned a lot and the gin was delicious! The atmosphere of being in the underground close was very cool as well.”
Spend 90 minutes inside Lind & Lime’s working Edinburgh distillery with guides such as Asha, Erin, Neil, and Stuart. Start with a G&T, learn about Leith gin-making, handle botanicals, bottle a mini-gin, make a Gimlet, then finish with port and sherry.
“Stuart our guide was awesome, and the tour was amazing value for money 🥰”
Pick a bottle and see where it is poured properly.
