Gin starts with your recipe.

In Aberdeen, this gin school turns a welcome double G&T into a real hands-on lesson led by the head distiller. You’ll learn how gin’s origins connect to Aberdeen’s distilling heritage, then build a custom bottle with guidance every step of the way.

I really like two parts of the format. First, you’re not just sampling—you’re taught to think about botanicals and balance, then you practice that on a copper mini-still. Second, the finish is practical and fun: you leave with your own full-sized bottle, including your chosen strength and a label you name yourself.

One thing to consider: this is an alcohol-focused class (multiple G&Ts plus cocktails), so it’s best if you’re happy with tasting as part of the experience.

Key things to know before you go

• Head distiller-led instruction with active help as you choose ingredients and amounts
• 100+ botanicals to choose from, so your recipe actually feels personal
• Copper alembic mini-still work that makes the process feel real, not theoretical
• Generous tasting flow: gin samples, made-to-order G&Ts, and a surprise cocktail
• Your own 70cl bottle to take home, complete with strength and labeling choices
• Small group size (max 20) keeps questions from getting lost

The Aberdeen gin school setup: 2.5 hours with a small group

Plan on about 2 hours 30 minutes, and expect a group that stays small (up to 20). That matters, because this kind of class works best when you can actually ask questions while you’re deciding botanicals and quantities. If you’ve ever done a big “demo” tour where you watch from afar, this feels more like a workshop.

The class starts at City of Aberdeen Distillery at 2:00 pm (Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE). It ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not stuck figuring out how to connect to transport afterward. And since it’s near public transportation and uses a mobile ticket, you can keep your plan simple: arrive, check in, enjoy, then head out when it’s done.

Language is English. If you’re comfortable with English, you’ll follow the botanical explanations and the hands-on instruction without needing guesswork.

Welcome Double G&T: how the start gets your taste buds working

Right when you arrive, you get a double G&T welcome drink. It’s not just a nice hello—it’s a smart way to calibrate your palate before the botanicals conversation starts. You’ll be tasting repeatedly across the session, so you’ll want your senses awake and your water intake sensible.

After that welcome, you’ll also have a G&T while learning about botanicals. This is a good rhythm: you taste, you learn, then you taste again with more context. It’s the difference between sipping cocktails casually and actually noticing how juniper, citrus, spice, and other botanicals show up in the glass.

If you’re the type who likes the smell of gin as much as the taste, this format is built for you. The instruction helps you develop the ability to pick up on what’s happening in the drink, not just whether you like it.

Botanicals 101: from gin origins to Aberdeen’s distilling roots

A key part of the session is the explanation of gin’s background—its origins—and how it ties into Aberdeen’s distilling heritage. You’ll also hear what goes into a gin base: base gin botanicals and the premium organic alcohol used for your distillation.

This is where you learn the framework behind the fun. Instead of random flavor choices, you’re encouraged to think in terms of structure: what botanicals add aroma, what brings a brighter character, and what adds warmth or complexity. That makes the later “pick your recipe” moment more than just a selection process.

You also get introduced to the botanicals available before you start choosing from the full selection. That preview helps if you’re new to gin making, because you’ll recognize what you’re seeing when it’s time to build your bottle.

Picking from 100+ botanicals and distilling with a copper mini-still

Now for the part you’ll remember: choosing from over 100 botanicals and creating your perfect bottle of Scottish gin. You’re guided by the head distiller, who helps you select the ideal botanicals and quantities for your unique recipe.

Why this matters: “choose your own” can sometimes mean pick from a small list and leave the rest to guesswork. Here, the choices are broad, so the head distiller’s support really helps you avoid ending up with something unbalanced. If you want your bottle to taste like it has intention—sweetness vs. spice, lift vs. depth—that guidance makes a big difference.

You’ll distill your gin using a beautiful copper alembic mini-still. Working with a still at a small scale turns a concept into a process you can picture. The copper tool also adds to the vibe: this doesn’t feel like a generic tasting room where everyone just swirls and moves on.

A practical note: distillation takes time, so expect a “while it runs, you taste and learn” structure. That keeps the wait from feeling like idle downtime.

The tasting blocks: Aberdeen gin samples and G&Ts on request

While your gin distils, you’ll enjoy samples from the range of Aberdeen Gins. You’ll hear the background of each gin and the ingredients used—plus what makes each one authentically distilled in Aberdeen. That ingredient-focused storytelling is useful. It teaches you how different botanicals and decisions create distinct styles, instead of treating the gins as a mystery lineup.

You’ll also sip a G&T made to order based on your preferred sample. That’s a smart touch because it turns your tasting preferences into something immediate, not just a theoretical comparison. You get to experience how your chosen flavor direction plays out as a drink.

And there’s more: during the learning stages, you’ll have G&T options woven in so you’re tasting while the lessons are fresh in your head. The result is a class that feels like a guided sensory workout, not just a sit-and-watch segment.

Choosing your bottle strength, cap, and label (the part you’ll love most)

When your custom gin is ready, you move into the final customization. You’ll decide the strength, bottle, cap, and label your full-sized bottle of gin. You’ll also need a name for it.

This is the moment where the experience shifts from education to ownership. You’re not leaving with a souvenir shot glass; you’re taking home a 70cl bottle that’s tied to your recipe and choices.

If you’re doing this for a birthday or special occasion, this section is the payoff. Naming your gin turns the whole day into a story you can bring home, gift later, or keep for your own gin-and-tonic experiments.

One more practical advantage: you’ll know what you built and why it should taste the way it does. That makes it easier to recreate the vibe at home.

The cocktail finish: a berry prosecco dessert plus a surprise

The session doesn’t end when the distillation work does. You’ll celebrate becoming a distiller with a surprise cocktail. And for the dessert portion, there’s a berry prosecco cocktail.

So you get the “gin school” side and the “let’s toast your win” side. That balance keeps the mood light, even though you’re learning something real about botanicals and distilling.

Price and value: is $192.23 per person worth it?

At $192.23 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity in Aberdeen. But it also isn’t a short tasting pass-through. You’re paying for a head distiller-led workshop, a broad botanical selection (over 100 choices), multiple structured tasting moments, cocktails during the session, and—most importantly—a custom 70cl bottle you take home at the end.

If you compare it to typical ticketed tastings, the value improves fast because you’re not just sampling—you’re actively making. And if you’re the kind of person who enjoys experimenting with gin flavors, the education piece is what helps you get more enjoyment from what you buy later.

The class also caps at 20, so you’re not competing for attention in a packed room. That’s a real quality-of-experience factor, not just a comfort perk.

Who should book this gin masterclass in Aberdeen?

This fits you well if:

• you like gin and want a hands-on recipe experience
• you’re curious about botanicals and how they change the drink
• you want something memorable for a birthday or special occasion
• you appreciate learning with sensory feedback (tasting while you go)

It may not be your best choice if you want a low-alcohol or purely non-alcoholic experience, since the schedule includes multiple G&Ts plus cocktails.

It’s also a nice fit for groups who want one shared activity that ends with a tangible takeaway. You’re all creating a bottle—then you name it, which makes it easy to keep the day personal.

Quick practical tips so your day feels smooth

• Eat beforehand if you can. You’ll have several drinks during the session.
• Take your time when you smell and taste in the tasting blocks; the lesson is designed to build your nose.
• If you’re planning a celebration, this is a natural fit since you get a final toast and a full bottle to take home.
• Since it uses a mobile ticket and is near public transportation, build in extra minutes for check-in and getting seated comfortably.

Should you book the 2-hour Aberdeen Gin School?

If you want an Aberdeen experience that mixes real instruction with lots of tasting and ends with a custom bottle, book it. The format is built around active decision-making—botanicals, quantities, strength, label—so you leave with more than a drink. You leave with a recipe you understand.

If you’re gin-curious but nervous about getting the “perfect” flavor, don’t be. The head distiller helps you choose the right botanicals and amounts, which is exactly what makes this class work for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

FAQ

Where does the gin school start and end?

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

How long is the experience?

It’s approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

What do you take home at the end?

You take home a full-sized custom bottle of gin (70cl), including your choices for strength, bottle, cap, and label.

How many people are in the group?

The class has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What drinks are included during the session?

You get a double G&T on arrival, a G&T while learning about botanicals, gin samples from the Aberdeen gin range, a G&T of your choice, a berry prosecco cocktail, and a surprise cocktail to celebrate.

What if the class is canceled for weather or you need to cancel?

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.