Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tasting & Tour: South Loch Gin

Watch gin move from still to glass, then taste what you've learned

A gin distillery class at South Loch Gin in Edinburgh where you learn how the spirit is made from botanical to bottle, hosted by a member of the gin team. You arrive with a gin and tonic, taste three gins made on the distillery's stills paired with premium mixers, and finish with a gin cocktail topped with bubbly. The session runs 60 to 75 minutes and is open to ages 18 and over.

The Experience

You start with a gin and tonic in hand while the team walks you through how South Loch Gin actually gets made—the botanicals, the process, the stills themselves. This isn't a lecture; 56 North, Scotland's oldest gin bar, runs the class in a relaxed way that makes the chemistry feel less like school and more like standing in a working distillery. The gin stills are the centerpiece, and seeing them while someone explains what happens inside them changes how the three tastings land.

After the walkthrough, you taste three gins made on those same stills, each paired with a premium mixer chosen to show what the gin can do. The final pour is a gin cocktail topped with bubbly—the kind of finish that makes the whole session feel like a small celebration rather than an educational obligation. The whole thing takes between 60 and 75 minutes, which means you're done with enough of the afternoon left to explore the rest of Edinburgh without feeling rushed.

What’s included

• A welcome gin and tonic.
• three South Loch Gin tastings paired with premium mixers.
• a gin cocktail topped with bubbly.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by 56 North Distillery

Is this one for you?The 60- to 75-minute session fits into a free afternoon without eating up your whole day, leaving time to explore Edinburgh before or after. If you want to understand how gin is actually made rather than just drink it, the working stills and the team's explanation make that possible in a single sitting.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste during the three gin samples?

You taste three gins made on South Loch's own stills, each paired with a premium mixer. The pairing is designed to show you how different botanicals and production choices change what you're drinking.

Is this a tour where I watch, or do I get to make something?

You learn how the gin is made by watching the stills and hearing the process explained, then you taste the results. It's a working distillery class, not a hands-on production session where you blend your own.

How long does the whole thing take?

The session runs 60 to 75 minutes from arrival to the final cocktail, so you can fit it into a free afternoon without blocking out your whole day.

What's included in the price?

A welcome gin and tonic on arrival; three gin tastings paired with premium mixers; and a gin cocktail topped with bubbly at the end.

Do I need to be a gin expert to book this?

No. The team at 56 North takes a relaxed approach to teaching, and the class is built for anyone curious about how gin is made, regardless of experience.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, you must be 18 or over. The venue operates Challenge 25, so bring ID.