Nottinghamshire: DropWorks Rum Distillery Tour & Tastings

Summary

British rum making up close with hands-on tastings at DropWorks

You’ll step right into the heart of DropWorks Distillery in Nottinghamshire with a local guide leading you through Europe’s largest premium rum operation. Smell raw sugar, taste several unique rums—including some you won’t find anywhere else—and see custom equipment up close. A welcome drink starts things off and there’s time to browse for gifts before heading out again. You might leave thinking about those flavors for days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — DropWorks Rum Distillery Tour

• Arrive at DropWorks Distillery
• Enjoy welcome drink
• Tour rum making process
• Taste various rums
• See bespoke distillery equipment
• Browse gift shop

Top questions

Is DropWorks Distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces at DropWorks Distillery are wheelchair accessible.

Are children allowed on the DropWorks Rum Tour?

Children under 18 must be supervised by an adult; children under 8 are not allowed on tours.

Where does the DropWorks Rum Tour take place?

The entire tour takes place at DropWorks Distillery in Nottinghamshire.

What is included in the DropWorks Rum Tour?

The tour includes a welcome drink, guided distillery tour, multiple rum tastings, and time in the gift shop.

Can infants or small children attend?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller if permitted by staff; confirm when booking.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options available near DropWorks Distillery.

Do I need to book ahead if bringing children?

Please confirm during booking if you plan to bring a child with you.

What’s included

Your visit includes a welcome drink on arrival, a full guided tour through every stage of rum making at DropWorks Distillery with several tastings along the way (for guests over 18), plus free time to explore their shop before leaving.

What’s the experience like?

We walked straight into DropWorks Distillery and it hit me—the air smelled a bit sweet, almost like burnt sugar but not quite, and there was this low hum from somewhere behind the big steel tanks. Our guide, Tom, handed us a welcome drink (I think it was their spiced rum, though I forgot to ask), and he grinned when I tried to guess what was in it. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he said. The place felt busy but not rushed—some folks in overalls waved as we passed by, and one of them had molasses on his sleeve. It’s definitely not your usual old whisky place; everything here looks new and kind of bold.

I didn’t expect to actually touch some of the ingredients—Tom scooped up a handful of raw sugar for us to smell (sticky fingers after that). He explained how DropWorks is the biggest premium rum distillery in Europe, which honestly surprised me. There’s this double retort thing they’re really proud of—first one in England apparently—and he let us peek inside (it hissed quietly like a kettle). The whole process feels more alive than I thought; you can hear bubbling from the fermenters if you stand close enough. We tasted three different rums along the way. One was weirdly floral—I still think about that one.

The tasting room is right next to the main stills so you get this faint warmth while you sip, plus all these bottles lined up like a rainbow behind the bar. I tried asking about their “world first” ingredient but Tom just winked and said it’s part of the magic. Afterward we wandered through their shop—my friend bought a bottle for her dad, who only drinks whisky but she thinks she’ll convert him now. We probably lingered too long at the tasting table but no one rushed us out. So yeah, if you’re curious about British rum or just want an afternoon that smells like caramel and steel and has a bit of laughter mixed in, this is worth it.