Edinburgh: Gin Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting Old Town

Summary

Edinburgh gin tour with tastings history and flavour arch

You’ll step into Edinburgh’s Old Town for a hands-on gin distillery tour guided by locals who know their stuff. Smell fresh botanicals in the Flavour Arch, hear stories of gin’s past, and taste three unique gins paired with mixers and garnishes. There’s laughter, surprises, and that cozy moment when you realize you’re part of Edinburgh for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

You walk down Rutland Place and the air already smells a bit herbal — or maybe that’s just my imagination running wild. The Edinburgh Gin Distillery sits kind of tucked in, right in the middle of the Old Town hum. Our guide, Jamie, waved us in with this half-grin like he knew we’d be surprised by something. I was honestly more nervous about pronouncing “botanicals” than anything else.

Inside, it’s cooler and there’s this faint citrus note — not sharp, but soft, like someone peeled an orange hours ago. Jamie started off with a quick history lesson (he called gin “Mother’s Ruin” with a wink), but what stuck was how proud he seemed about Edinburgh’s part in all of it. We moved through the Flavour Arch, and I kept stopping to sniff things — coriander, orris root, something floral I still can’t name. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin — probably butchered it.

The Stillhouse is louder than you expect; metal pipes hiss quietly and you can feel the warmth from the copper stills on your arm if you stand too close. Jamie pointed out how each batch is tasted by hand (I pictured someone sneaking sips at midnight). Then we finally sat down for the tasting — three different gins lined up with little bowls of garnish and tonic. The London Dry hit first — peppery, almost grassy — then one that tasted like summer berries after rain. I kept thinking about how every sip felt tied to this city somehow.

I bought a tiny bottle at the shop after, even though my suitcase is already full. Leaving, I noticed how everyone walks a little slower outside — maybe it’s just the gin settling in or maybe it’s Edinburgh itself doing its thing again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Edinburgh Gin Classic Tour and Tasting

• Arrive at Edinburgh Gin Old Town
• Receive welcome drink
• Learn history of gin in Edinburgh
• Explore the Flavour Arch
• Tour the Stillhouse distillation area
• Taste London Dry, Full Strength, Liqueur gins
• Enjoy mixer and garnish pairings
• Optionally visit Distillery Bar
• Shop at Distillery store

Top questions

Is the Edinburgh Gin Classic Tour & Tasting wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

Are children allowed on the Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour?

No, only guests over 18 years old are permitted on this experience.

How long does the gin distillery tour take?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect around 1–1.5 hours including tasting time.

Does the tour include tastings?

Yes, you’ll sample several types of Edinburgh Gin during a guided tasting session.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the distillery location.

Can pregnant travelers join this tour?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to alcohol tastings.

What is included in the price of this gin tour?

The price covers a welcome drink, guided tour with local expert, access to Flavour Arch & Stillhouse, plus curated tastings.

What’s included

Your experience includes a welcome drink on arrival before diving into Edinburgh’s gin history with your local guide. You’ll explore aromatic botanicals in the Flavour Arch and see traditional distillation up close in the Stillhouse. The highlight is a curated tasting of several signature gins paired with mixers and garnishes—plus time to browse or buy at their shop before heading out again.