York: Hooting Owl Distillery Tour & Guided Gin Tasting

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/7

Duration1h 15m

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

York gin tasting tour with stories, local spirits and a friendly welcome

You’ll sip your way through Yorkshire gins at Hooting Owl Distillery in York, hear quirky stories from your guide, and sample spirits straight from the source. Expect laughter, hands-on tastings, and a relaxed vibe where you can stay as long as you like after your tour wraps up.

1h 15m

Step-by-step itinerary

Distillery tour and gin tasting

Receive welcome drink
Tour the distillery
Learn distillation process
Discover Sir Owlfred's journey
Taste Yorkshire gins
Sample rum and vodka
Enjoy full measure spirit
Relax at the bar

The Experience

Someone’s handing me a glass before I even get my coat off — that’s how the Hooting Owl Distillery tour in York started for us. I picked the gin (classic move), but you could go for their rum or vodka too. The place smells like fresh citrus peel and something herbal, not quite juniper. Our guide — think Yorkshire warmth with a sly sense of humor — waved us over to this copper still that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale, honestly.

We shuffled around the distillery, glasses in hand, while she explained how they make their Yorkshire gins. There was this bit about Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins — part history, part myth? I’m still not sure where the truth ends and the tall tales begin, but it made me grin. She let us taste little samples as we went: one gin had this weirdly comforting hint of heather, another almost tasted like black pepper on the finish. Someone tried to pronounce “Tyton” properly and got a round of good-natured teasing from the staff.

I didn’t expect to care about the distillation process but watching the team measure botanicals by hand felt oddly calming. The whole thing took just over an hour — enough time to feel unrushed but not so long you start checking your phone. At the end, we could pick any spirit for a full pour; I went back to gin (creature of habit), though my friend swore by their spiced rum. You can hang out at their bar after if you want. We lingered longer than planned because it just felt easy there — no pressure to leave right away.

What’s included

Your visit includes a welcome drink (choose from Hooting Owl gin, rum or vodka with mixer), a guided tour through the working distillery with tastings along the way of Yorkshire gins plus samples of their rum and vodka. At the end you’ll get a full measure of your favorite spirit from their range of 25 artisan options—and you’re free to relax at their bar afterwards as long as you like.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by The Hooting Owl Distillery York