Distill a bottle of Gin on mini copper stills

Making gin is usually something you watch from behind glass. Here, you make your own 500ml bottle on a personal mini copper still, starting with a few botanical choices and ending with a labelled, wax-sealed souvenir. The three-hour class takes place at Sip Antics, a small Edinburgh gin school, with a gin and tonic waiting when you arrive.

I like the tiny group size, capped at two people, because you should get plenty of help rather than fight for attention. I also like the balance of tasting, instruction, and hands-on work. Guides Neil and Gary bring different personalities to the class, but both help you shape a gin that fits your taste. The main consideration is simple: at $125.01 per person, this costs more than a standard distillery tour, so it makes the most sense if you value the lesson and the take-home bottle.

Key points at a glance

• One personal mini copper still: You distill your selected botanicals yourself rather than only watching a demonstration.
• Three gin samples first: Tasting comes before recipe building, helping you work out which flavours suit you.
• A 500ml bottle to keep: Your finished gin is bottled, named, labelled, and sealed with wax.
• A very small class: The maximum is two people, giving the session a private, relaxed feel.
• Cocktails during the distillation: You have a drink while your gin is being produced.
• A three-hour Edinburgh activity: The class begins at noon at The Cumberland Bar and finishes back at the meeting point.

Starting with gin and tonic at The Cumberland Bar

Your meeting point is The Cumberland Bar, at 1-3 Cumberland Street in Edinburgh’s New Town area. The listed start time is 12:00 p.m., and the activity ends back at the meeting point after the class.

That arrangement matters. You do not need to find an industrial distillery outside town or plan a separate ride back after tasting gin. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it practical to fit into a day of Edinburgh sightseeing. Confirmation arrives at booking, and mobile tickets make the arrival process straightforward.

The first drink is a gin and tonic. It gives you time to settle in before the technical part begins, while the guide explains how the afternoon will work. This opening is useful for anyone who knows only the basics of gin, and it also gives keen gin drinkers a clear sense of the class ahead.

Because the class is limited to two people, you can expect direct attention from the guide. That is one of the strongest features here. If you are unsure about a botanical or want to adjust the balance of your recipe, you should have the chance to ask rather than simply follow a fixed group demonstration.

Three tastings that help you find your style

The tasting session includes three different gin samples, each made with different botanical mixes and styles. This is more than a warm-up with drinks. It helps you notice how small changes in ingredients affect the final spirit.

Gin can be floral, citrus-led, herbal, spicy, or strongly juniper-based. You may already have a favourite bottle, but tasting several styles side by side can show you why you prefer it. The class also helps you become a more confident buyer later, since you will have a better feel for the flavours listed on a gin label.

I would pay close attention at this stage. Think about which sample feels too sharp, too sweet, too floral, or too heavy on juniper. Your answers give the guide useful information when you begin building your recipe. The aim is not to choose the most unusual ingredients. The aim is to make a bottle you will actually enjoy drinking.

This is where guides such as Neil can add real value. His teaching covers gin styles, botanical choices, the history of gin, and the character of different brands and categories. The tone is meant to be entertaining as well as instructional, so you are not expected to sit through a dry technical lecture.

Building a recipe from botanicals

After the tastings, you design your own gin recipe from the available ingredients. The guide offers hands-on advice, but you still have room for personal choice. That balance is important. A completely fixed recipe would make the activity feel like a standard class, while no guidance at all could leave you with a confused mix of flavours.

You might choose ingredients that match the profile you liked during the tasting, or you might create something quite different. The key is to make decisions in stages. Start with the style you want, then consider which botanicals support it. If you like a bright, fresh gin, your choices may differ from those of someone who prefers a warmer, more herbal drink.

The class is also useful for people who think they already know gin. One participant arrived assuming they had a strong grasp of the spirit, then found there was much more to learn about the flavours that go into a bottle. That is a fair warning not to rush this part. The recipe is the heart of the activity, not a minor step before the souvenir photo.

Neil has been praised for explaining the details clearly while still allowing individual interpretation. Gary is also described as helping shape a recipe around personal taste. The practical benefit is that you are not left alone with a tray of ingredients and a guess at what might work.

Distilling on your own mini copper still

Once your recipe is ready, you use an individual mini copper still to distill it. This is the point where the class moves from tasting and planning to making something tangible.

The still is small, but that is part of the charm. You are not watching a large commercial production line from a distance. You are handling the process yourself, with guidance close at hand. The activity gives you a simple working sense of how the ingredients become a finished gin, without pretending that a short class replaces professional distilling training.

The final amount is a 500ml, or 50cl, bottle. That is a generous souvenir compared with a small tasting vial, and it gives the price more weight. You are paying for about three hours of instruction, several drinks, the use of the equipment, and a bottle of your own creation.

There is also a pause while the gin distills. Rather than filling the time with more technical explanation, the class includes a cocktail. This makes the timing feel social and relaxed. It also gives you a chance to talk with the guide and reflect on the recipe before the final tasting.

The main limitation is that the supplied information does not specify exactly how much of the three-hour session is spent at the still or how long each distillation takes. You should expect a guided process, but not a full working day at a production distillery. The class is designed as an accessible introduction with a finished bottle at the end.

Tasting your own gin and sealing the bottle

Once the gin has been distilled, you taste it before bottling. This is a useful final check. You get to see how your choices turned out, rather than simply taking a sealed bottle on trust.

The finish is unusually personal. You bottle the gin, name it, label it, and wax seal it. That turns a standard souvenir into a record of the day. The bottle is easy to connect with the experience because you made the recipe and watched it move through the still.

It is also a practical gift. Several parts of the class make sense for someone who wants to bring home a taste of Scotland without buying a predictable souvenir. You can share the bottle with friends or family, though the available information does not state any rules about transporting alcohol, so check your airline and customs requirements before you fly.

The wax seal is a small touch, but it gives the bottle a finished look. Do not expect a factory-perfect product with a professional brand identity. The appeal is that it is yours, complete with your name and choices.

Why the small group changes the experience

A maximum of two people is a major selling point. Many spirit classes use a larger group, where the guide has to move quickly and practical work becomes a turn-taking exercise. Here, the format should feel more like a private lesson.

That setup suits couples, friends, and solo participants who want focused help. It also makes the class a good choice if you are nervous about getting the recipe wrong. You can ask direct questions about flavour balance and make changes as you go.

The trade-off is availability. The activity is booked an average of 48 days ahead, which suggests you should reserve it early, especially if your Edinburgh dates are fixed. A class with only two places can fill faster than a larger walking tour.

The guide is central to the quality of the afternoon. Neil has been praised for his humour, music, warmth, and storytelling, while Gary has been singled out for making recipe choices feel easy and fun. The personal style matters because this is not just equipment and ingredients. It is a lesson shaped by the person leading it.

Is $125.01 per person good value?

At $125.01 per person, this is not a cheap way to have a drink in Edinburgh. If all you want is a gin tasting, you can spend less elsewhere. The value comes from the full package: a welcome drink, three samples, recipe design, a personal still, a cocktail during distillation, a final tasting, and a 500ml bottle to take home.

The three-hour duration also helps. You are not paying for a quick sampling session that ends after 45 minutes. You have time to learn, make decisions, watch the process, and finish the bottle properly.

I would call it good value for a gin enthusiast, a couple looking for a hands-on activity, or anyone who likes bringing home a useful souvenir. It is less convincing for someone who does not drink gin or would rather spend the afternoon visiting several Edinburgh sights.

The price also includes the chance to learn what you like. That may sound less tangible than the bottle, but it has lasting value. After the class, you should be better at choosing gin styles and spotting the botanicals that suit your palate.

Who should book this gin-making class?

This activity is best for adults who enjoy gin, cocktails, and practical demonstrations. You do not need to arrive as a spirit expert. The tasting and guidance are built to help you understand the choices as you go.

I would especially recommend it for:

• Couples who want a private, shared activity
• Gin drinkers seeking something more active than a tasting
• People who enjoy food and drink workshops
• Visitors looking for a personal Edinburgh souvenir
• Anyone curious about botanical flavours and gin styles

It may not suit you if you avoid alcohol, dislike making flavour decisions, or want a large social group. The class is also not the right pick if you expect to produce a commercial-quality gin in a full-size distillery. This is a compact, guided introduction with a bottle to keep.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. No other accessibility details are provided, so contact Sip Antics before booking if you need specific arrangements.

Booking, timing, and cancellation advice

The class begins at noon and lasts about three hours. Build a little extra time into your schedule for reaching The Cumberland Bar, especially if you have another timed activity later in the day.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Since the class takes only two people and is often booked well ahead, I would reserve it before your trip rather than waiting until you arrive.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses Edinburgh local time.

Should you book Sip Antics?

Book it if gin is more than a casual drink for you and you want to understand how flavour choices shape a bottle. The small class, strong guide involvement, three tastings, cocktail break, and wax-sealed 500ml souvenir give the afternoon a clear purpose.

I would not book it simply because you have three spare hours. The price is too high for that. But for a gin fan, this is a focused Edinburgh activity with real participation rather than another passively watched demonstration. Reserve early, arrive ready to taste carefully, and treat the recipe as the main event.

FAQ

Where does the gin-making experience start?

It starts at The Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK.

What time does the activity begin?

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

How long does the gin-making class last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $125.01 per person.

How many people can join the class?

The activity has a maximum of two participants.

How much gin do I take home?

You distill and bottle 500ml, or 50cl, of your own gin.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.