Gin, but with real science. What I love about this Aberdeen experience is the guided gin tasting led by a head distiller, where you taste and compare single-distilled botanicals instead of just sipping. It starts with a double G&T on arrival, then builds into a structured, palate-training session that answers the kind of questions you actually have about juniper and flavor.

What I also love is the chance to blend your own glass like a mini mixologist, plus a mystery botanical challenge that makes you pay attention to what you’re tasting. One thing to consider: the experience requires good weather, so if it gets cancelled for poor conditions, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Key things to know before you go

• You start with a double G&T, then move into single-distillate comparisons.
• Botanicals are individually distilled, so you can learn what each ingredient tastes like on its own.
• You blend your own gin using the distillates you’ve just tasted.
• There’s a mystery botanical tasting challenge to test your palate.
• Aberdeen Gin selections include London Dry and Fruit styles, served straight from French glass demi-johns.
• The group stays small (max 20), with time to ask questions while you sip.

Where the gin masterclass starts in Aberdeen

Your session begins at the City of Aberdeen Distillery, at Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE. It’s a straightforward setup in the city, and it’s listed as being near public transportation, which matters if you’re planning to keep the day easy on yourself after a couple of drinks.

The start time is 2:00 pm, and the whole experience runs about 2 hours. That timing is ideal for a flavor course: long enough to learn something real, short enough that you’re not committing your entire afternoon to one activity.

You’ll also be given a mobile ticket at booking time, so you’re not juggling paper confirmations. Service animals are allowed, which is always a plus when you’re traveling with a companion.

Double G&T on arrival: the quickest way to reset your palate

Right when you arrive, you get a G&T on the house, and the tasting begins with a double G&T. That first sip isn’t just a nice start. It’s also a practical way to get your brain and taste buds into gin mode before the real comparisons begin.

From there, the format shifts into a “learn by contrast” style. Instead of only tasting one gin repeatedly, you’re guided through single distillates—different expressions built from botanicals—so you can start identifying what’s showing up in the glass. You’ll spend time recognizing flavors, and the head distiller-led approach helps because the talk is tied directly to what’s happening in your cup.

One of the smartest parts of this structure is that you’re not guessing in the dark. You’re building a mental map of flavors (think juniper notes, botanical sweetness or spice impressions, and the way those traits change once they’re combined).

Single botanicals and the London Dry building blocks

The session is built around a simple idea: gin is a mix of botanicals, and the easiest way to understand gin is to taste botanicals separately first.

You’ll be tasting a range of expressions of Aberdeen Gin while learning how botanicals used in a traditional style come together. The masterclass explains that each botanical found in a traditional London Dry Gin has been individually distilled. Even if you’re not a technical gin fan, that detail is the key to why this class feels different from a basic tasting.

In a normal tasting, you taste a few gins and think, that one is fresher, that one is smoother. Here, you train yourself to notice what you’re tasting because the distillate is tied to a single botanical. It turns vague impressions into repeatable observations—exactly what you want if you plan to buy gin later and not just buy based on a label.

Time to play bartender: blend your own gin

After the tasting comparisons, the masterclass flips into hands-on mode. Next up, you get to become a mixologist and blend the distillates together to create your own glass of gin.

This is where the class stops being just educational and becomes genuinely fun. When you mix, you feel the impact of ratios and combinations. You also notice that flavor isn’t just about ingredients; it’s also about balance. Even if you don’t nail a perfect recipe on your first try, the process teaches your palate what harmony tastes like.

Then comes a challenge: a mystery botanical appears as a single distillate. You’ll taste it and try to guess what botanical it is based on flavor. This part is great because it forces you to use what you just learned. You stop drifting into “I like it” territory and start thinking in notes and patterns.

Aberdeen Gin tasting in French demi-johns

Once you’ve trained your senses with botanicals, the masterclass returns to the local stars: Aberdeen Gins. You’ll sample both London Dry and Fruit gins from the range.

The drinks are served directly from French glass demi-johns, which gives the tasting a more traditional, old-school feel. It also makes the tasting experience more tangible. You’re not just handed a generic flight of tiny cups; you can see the spirits being poured, and it supports that “this is serious craft” vibe without turning stiff.

Here’s what you should pay attention to during these tastings:

• How the London Dry style compares in structure: more backbone, sharper botanical edges, often a drier finish.
• How the Fruit gin shifts the profile: you’ll likely notice sweeter fruit impressions and a different kind of aromatics.
• How your own blend compares to the commercial gins you’re tasting later.

This last comparison matters because it helps you connect the dots between the masterclass mechanics and real-world bottles you might buy.

The Q&A finale: practical gin questions you can use later

The experience ends with a final G&T and a Q&A session. This is the best moment to ask the questions that come up when you’re shopping, storing, or serving gin at home.

The masterclass format is set up for this. You already had plenty of “ask while you sip” opportunities during the guided tasting, but the Q&A is the dedicated time to get clearer answers, especially for topics like:

• How long you can keep gin
• What to look for when purchasing gin
• Whether London Dry Gin is actually tied to London
• Whether you can make your own gin at home

Even if you don’t plan to DIY, these questions change how you buy. They help you understand what matters in a bottle beyond the marketing.

And yes, it’s also a chance to keep the tone friendly. The session is described as small and chatty, with Dan and Alan named as part of the team, and that matters because gin is one of those subjects where a good conversation makes the tasting stick.

Price and value: does $108.71 make sense for 2 hours?

At $108.71 per person for about 2 hours, you’re not paying for a one-off sip. You’re paying for a guided tasting, multiple G&Ts, and structured instruction that leads to a hands-on blending moment, plus a mystery-botanical exercise and a final Q&A.

Here’s the value logic I’d use to decide:

• You get more than one pour. The menu includes a G&T on arrival, single distillates and gin samples, a G&T to order, and a final G&T as the session wraps.
• You get skill, not just drinks. The “single distillates” approach is the practical part. It helps you learn what you like and why you like it.
• You’re in a small group. With a max of 20 people, the class feels built for interaction, not just passive listening.

If you’re the type who drinks gin occasionally and wants to level up your taste, this price is easier to justify than a basic tasting where you just hop between brands. If you only want a casual drink with no learning goal, you might find it a bit structured. But if you enjoy the idea of identifying flavor components and blending your own, it’s a strong deal.

Who this Aberdeen gin masterclass suits best

This experience fits best if you want a middle ground between fun and real info.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Like hands-on activities where your actions change the outcome (your own blend matters here).
• Want to learn how botanicals translate to flavor.
• Enjoy guided tastings led by experts rather than browsing alone.
• Prefer a small group experience where you can ask questions.

It’s also a solid choice for a couple of different travel styles. If you’re on a food-and-drink trip in Scotland, it’s a natural stop. If you’re visiting Aberdeen and want something very “local but not stuffy,” this gives you that craft connection.

A few practical tips to get the most from your tasting

A gin masterclass is still an alcohol experience, so a little planning helps.

• Pace yourself during the early double G&T. The rest of the session depends on your palate being awake.
• Take a moment between pours. If you try to remember everything at once, your notes get fuzzy.
• Taste the way you learn. Swirl, smell, then sip. The class is designed for that kind of attention.
• Be bold with your mystery botanical guess. Even if you’re wrong, it makes the flavor recognition part of the lesson stick.

Also, if you want to bring bottles home, keep an eye on what’s available for purchase at the end. The experience is described as offering a good selection of things to purchase, including options that make sense for long haul travel, which is exactly what you want if you’re thinking of taking Aberdeen Gin beyond the UK.

Should you book the gin tasting masterclass in Aberdeen?

I’d book it if you want a structured, expert-led tasting that goes beyond comparing labels. The blend-your-own part, the mystery botanical challenge, and the fact that botanicals are individually distilled all point to a class built for learning what’s in your glass—fast.

I’d skip or reconsider if you’re sensitive to alcohol or you prefer a very casual, low-guidance tasting. Also, because the experience requires good weather, check the forecast if you’re trying to plan tight travel days.

If you’re aiming for one great Aberdeen food-and-drink moment, this masterclass is a strong pick.

FAQ

Where is the gin tasting masterclass in Aberdeen?

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

How long does the experience take?

The duration is about 2 hours.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll have a G&T on arrival, tasting of single distillates and gin samples, a G&T to order, and a final G&T at the end, plus a Q&A session.

Is the masterclass offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What group size should I expect?

The experience has a maximum of 20 people.

Will I receive a mobile ticket?

Yes, it includes a mobile ticket.

Does the experience depend on weather?

Yes. It requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded. Changes within 24 hours aren’t accepted.