Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen

The most interesting part of this Aberdeen experience is the chance to taste gin one botanical at a time. Instead of simply sipping finished drinks, you learn what juniper and other ingredients contribute, then blend distillates into your own glass under the guidance of the head distiller.

I like the hands-on tasting format and the relaxed chance to ask practical questions over a G&T. I also like the small maximum of 20 people, which should give you a better chance to hear the guide and take part. The main consideration is the price, $108.71 per person, which is fair for a specialist two-hour class but more than a basic distillery tasting.

Key points to know

• Taste botanicals separately: Each ingredient is presented as a single distillate so you can identify its flavor before it is blended into gin.
• Create your own blend: You get a chance to act as the mixologist and make a personal glass of gin.
• Led by the distillery team: The session is guided by the head distiller, with Dan and Alan named as the team behind the experience.
• Includes several drinks: You receive a double G&T on arrival, botanical samples, Aberdeen Gin tastings, and a final G&T.
• Small-group setting: The group is limited to 20 people, helping keep the class personal and easy to follow.

Learning gin one botanical at a time

Most gin tastings ask you to compare finished bottles. This class takes a more useful route. At City of Aberdeen Distillery, the head distiller breaks the drink into its parts, allowing you to taste the separate botanical distillates before considering the final recipe.

That matters because gin can be hard to describe at first. You may know that you like one bottle more than another, but not know if the reason is a strong juniper note, a citrus edge, a floral touch, or a fruit-forward finish. Tasting ingredients separately gives you a clearer vocabulary.

The question about juniper is a good place to begin. Juniper is the defining botanical in gin, but many people have never tasted it on its own. Here, you can pay attention to its distinct character instead of letting it disappear into tonic and ice.

I like this approach because it turns the tasting into a short lesson rather than a string of samples. You are not expected to arrive as a gin expert. The point is to train your palate by making direct comparisons.

The class is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 20. That is not an intimate private lesson, but it is still a manageable number for a guided demonstration. If you want to ask questions or discuss what you are tasting, a group of this size should feel more workable than a large public tour.

Starting with a double G&T at 2pm

The session begins at 2pm at City of Aberdeen Distillery, Arch 10, Palmerston Road, Aberdeen AB11 5RE. You start with a double gin and tonic, which gives you a finished drink before the more analytical tasting begins.

This opening drink has a practical purpose. You first experience the gin as it is meant to be served, then spend the class working out the ingredients that create its flavor. The tonic also gives you a point of comparison later, when you choose your preferred gin for the final drink.

A double G&T is generous, so plan your afternoon accordingly. This is not a dry classroom exercise with a single token sip. The program includes several tasting stages, and you should treat the two-hour session as a dedicated drinking experience rather than something to squeeze between major sightseeing stops.

The meeting point is the distillery itself, and the activity ends there. It is near public transportation, so you do not need to arrange a separate transfer between the start and finish. A mobile ticket is accepted, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking.

Meeting the botanicals in single distillates

After the opening drink, the class moves to the single distillates. Each botanical used in a traditional London Dry Gin has been distilled separately, letting you taste the ingredients on their own.

This is the most educational part of the session. A finished gin can contain several flavors at once, and the tonic can make the picture even less clear. A single distillate removes much of that confusion. You can focus on one ingredient, consider its aroma and taste, and then think about how it might work in a final recipe.

You might find some botanicals easy to identify and others surprisingly difficult. That is part of the fun. The tasting is designed to train recognition, not to test whether you already have a polished palate.

I would take small sips and pause between samples. You will get more from the exercise if you notice how each distillate changes on the palate instead of rushing to the next glass. There is time to ask questions, so use it. The class is specifically built around understanding flavors, not simply consuming them.

The role of the head distiller is important here. A printed list of ingredients would not explain how those flavors fit together. Having the distiller guide the tasting gives you a chance to ask why a botanical is used and what you should look for when tasting it.

Making your own glass of gin

The class then gives you a more active task: blending the separate distillates to create your own glass of gin. This is where the lesson becomes personal.

You are not just told that gin contains a balance of flavors. You get to adjust that balance yourself. You can think about which notes should lead, which should sit in the background, and how a change in the blend affects the result.

The exact blending method and recipe options are not specified, so you should expect the instructor to explain the available choices on the day. The important point is that you take part in making a drink rather than watching a demonstration from the sidelines.

This is a strong feature for anyone who likes practical activities. It also helps explain why two gins can taste very different even when both use familiar ingredients. Small changes in the mix can affect the final character.

There is a little room for trial and error, which is useful. Your first blend may not be perfect, but that is a better lesson than being handed a polished drink and told how it was made. You leave with a clearer sense of what you personally like.

The mystery botanical challenge

The class adds a guessing challenge with a mystery botanical served as a single distillate. You taste it and try to identify the ingredient from its flavor.

This is a simple idea, but it gives the class a nice change of pace. The earlier tasting teaches you what to notice. The mystery sample asks you to use that new skill without being told the answer first.

Do not treat this as an exam. You may recognize the flavor straight away, or you may need clues and discussion. The value is in trying to put your observations into words. Even a wrong guess can lead to a useful explanation of what you tasted.

I like that the challenge comes after the botanical lesson and blending exercise. It gives the session a clear progression: first you learn the building blocks, then you use them, then you test your palate.

Sampling Aberdeen Gin from French demi-johns

The experience also includes samples from the range of Aberdeen Gins. These are served directly from French glass demi-johns, including both London Dry and Fruit Gins.

The demi-johns add a visual touch, but the more important detail is the range. You are not limited to one style. A London Dry gin gives you a chance to consider the classic botanical profile, while the Fruit Gins show a different direction.

You may find this comparison especially useful if you are choosing a bottle to take home. Instead of buying based only on a label, you can taste several expressions and decide which style suits you.

The tasting also connects the lesson to the working distillery. You have already considered individual botanicals, and now you can see how a finished Aberdeen Gin brings those ideas together. That makes the samples more useful than a random flight of unrelated drinks.

A previous booking included a good selection of products for purchase, especially items suitable for long-haul travel. The exact stock can change, so I would not book solely for a particular bottle or gift item. Still, the tasting gives you a sensible chance to choose before buying.

Finishing with your preferred gin and a Q&A

The final stage lets you select your preferred gin from the range and enjoy another G&T. The event ends with a question-and-answer session, so you can use the last part of the class for practical matters.

The planned topics include how long gin can be kept, what to look for when buying a bottle, whether London Dry Gin must come from London, and if you can make your own gin at home. These are the sorts of questions that help after the tasting, when you are standing in a shop or planning drinks at home.

I like the way the Q&A rounds out the experience. You are not sent away as soon as the last sample is poured. You get time to connect the tasting with everyday gin choices.

Dan and Alan are the named team associated with the session, and their enthusiasm is a key part of its character. The class works best when the people leading it are willing to talk openly about the drink and answer questions. The available feedback describes Dan and Alan as a strong team whose passion comes through, with a small group that chatted and laughed together.

That social side may matter to you. This is a class with drinks and conversation, not a silent technical demonstration. If you enjoy asking questions and comparing impressions with other people, the format should suit you well.

Is $108.71 a fair price?

At $108.71 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sample gin in Aberdeen. You are paying for more than a drink flight, though.

The price includes a double G&T at the start, separate botanical distillates, Aberdeen Gin samples, the chance to blend your own gin, a mystery tasting, and a final G&T of your choice. It also includes the time and attention of a head distiller during a two-hour session.

I would see the value in the teaching rather than the total volume of alcohol. If you simply want to drink a G&T, you can do that for far less. If you want to understand why gins taste different and take part in the making process, the price is easier to justify.

The small maximum of 20 people helps. A large group can make a hands-on tasting feel hurried or impersonal. Here, you have a better chance of hearing the explanations and asking a question during the Q&A.

The experience is also a good choice for a special afternoon in Aberdeen, a birthday activity, or a gift for someone who already enjoys gin. It may be less suitable for a strict budget or for someone who prefers to sample drinks without a lesson.

Who should book this Aberdeen gin class?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who like understanding what they are drinking. You do not need prior gin experience, since the tasting begins with basic building blocks. The format should suit curious beginners as well as people who already have a few favorite bottles.

It is also a good fit for couples and small groups who want an activity with plenty of conversation. The previous group atmosphere was friendly and social, and the session includes enough guided participation to keep you involved.

You should think twice if you do not enjoy botanical flavors, group tastings, or several alcoholic samples in one sitting. The double G&T at the start and final G&T at the end make this a substantial drinking session. You will want to plan the rest of your afternoon with that in mind.

The activity is in English, and the information provided confirms that service animals are allowed. No other accessibility details are specified, so contact the provider before booking if you need particular arrangements.

Timing, transport, and cancellation details

The class starts at 2pm and lasts about two hours. Since it begins and ends at Arch 10 Palmerston Road, you can plan your transport around one fixed location. The venue is near public transportation, and the mobile ticket keeps check-in simple.

The group maximum is 20 people. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, so it can be moved or canceled if that minimum is not reached. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or a full refund, according to the stated conditions.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before the cutoff.

Should you book the Gin Tasting Masterclass?

Book it if you want a guided, hands-on introduction to gin rather than a quick tasting at a bar. The single botanical distillates, personal blending exercise, mystery sample, and Aberdeen Gin range give the two hours a clear purpose.

I especially like that you finish with your preferred G&T and a practical Q&A. You can leave knowing more about juniper, London Dry gin, buying bottles, and storing them, while also having tested your own palate.

Skip it if $108.71 feels too high for an afternoon drink or if you are looking for a short, casual sample. For everyone else, this is a well-shaped Aberdeen activity, particularly for gin fans who want a little instruction, a few good questions answered, and a chance to make the drink their own.

FAQ

Where does the Gin Tasting Masterclass begin?

It begins at City of Aberdeen Distillery, Arch 10 Palmerston Road, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, UK.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 2:00pm.

How long does the masterclass last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What drinks and tastings are included?

You receive a double G&T on arrival, single botanical distillates, samples from the Aberdeen Gin range, and a final G&T of your choice.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The masterclass is offered in English.

How many people can join the class?

The activity has a maximum group size of 20 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.