A gin school that ends with your bottle is a rare treat. At the City of Aberdeen Distillery, you spend two hours learning how gin is built—from botanicals and aromas to the distilling step—then you walk out with a 70cl bottle you designed. I especially like the double G&T welcome on arrival and the hands-on way you shape your own recipe, not just watch it happen. One thing to consider: it’s a working distillery environment with some standing time, and strong perfumes can make aroma training harder.

You’ll meet in the railway arches area (enter at Arch #10), and the vibe is friendly, chatty, and practical. The class is led in English, with staff who know the product and keep the flow moving with tastings and drinks throughout—plus the slightly surreal touch that trains still rumble overhead.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Remember

• You bottle your own gin (70cl) and take it home
• A double G&T welcome plus drinks throughout the class
• 100+ botanicals to build a recipe, including fresh citrus and Macedonian juniper
• A guided taste test across different styles, including London Dry and fruit gin
• Naming your creation at the end, then toasting with a surprise cocktail
• Hands-on pacing with seats available, plus wheelchair-friendly bench options

First Stop: The Railway Arch Setup and Arrival Drinks

The meeting point is simple: enter the railway arch and look for Arch #10. It’s the kind of location that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the real working side of Aberdeen, not a themed experience pretending to be one.

Once you’re inside, the experience starts fast. You get a double G&T on arrival, which matters more than it sounds. Gin schools can sometimes feel like you’re still getting warmed up when the tastings start. Here, you’re already in the right frame of mind, and you can begin learning what you like while your palate is awake.

Two other practical notes help you enjoy this without stress. First: you’ll taste multiple gins during the class, so pacing matters—go with water when you need it, because you want your aromas to stay clear. Second: they ask you to avoid strong fragrances. This is genuinely useful. Gin is about smell, and perfume can cover the exact botanical notes you’re trying to pick out.

Welcome to Aberdeen Gin: Botanicals, Juniper, and That Two-Hour Rhythm

This isn’t a lecture where you sit through history while nothing happens. The class is built around what gin is—juniper-driven spirit flavored with botanicals, balanced into something you can actually reproduce.

You start learning the building blocks: premium organic alcohol plus handpicked botanicals from across the globe. A key anchor is Macedonian juniper, described as a standout with a rich, distinct essence. That tells you something important about what the head distiller is teaching: juniper isn’t an afterthought. It’s the backbone, even when you build a more fruit-leaning or spice-leaning profile.

Then comes the ingredient buffet. You get access to over 100 botanicals, including fresh citrus. If you’re thinking, Cool, I can just pick a few things and it’ll all taste good—slow down a bit. The real lesson is balance. The staff guide you through how different botanicals shift aroma and flavor, so you can stop guessing and start tasting with purpose.

And the timing works. The whole session is about two hours, so they can’t afford to wander. Expect a steady rhythm: tasting, decision-making, then distilling your recipe, then bottling, then the final toast.

The Tasting Part That Actually Trains Your Palate

This is one of the most valuable parts for you, especially if you’re not a gin expert. You don’t just get one pour and a slogan. You sample a range of handcrafted gins and learn how styles differ.

Here’s what you can expect to taste:

• A selection of Aberdeen Gin options
• Styles including London Dry and fruit gin
• Additional drinks like Prosecco and a berry cocktail, alongside other alcoholic drinks throughout

That matters because gin isn’t one flavor. Even within gin, you’ll notice differences tied to botanicals and balance. A London Dry profile tends to feel more structured and classic. A fruit gin can be brighter and softer, leaning into different aromatic impressions. During this kind of tasting, you’re not just sampling—you’re training your brain to connect what you smell to what you later choose for your own bottle.

From the class atmosphere, you can see why the guides work the room. Dan and Alan are named as guides, and people highlight how they help you avoid mistakes while keeping things fun. One moment you’re tasting neat, the next you’re making choices, and the staff steer you when your recipe starts getting too heavy on one note.

Distilling Your Own Gin: From Choice to Bottle

Now for the part you’re really paying for: you distill your own bottle of Scottish gin to your recipe. The end product is a 70cl bottle you take home, which is a big deal for value. You’re not just leaving with knowledge. You’re leaving with something you can serve, gift, or use to show off your “I made this” story.

The process is guided by the head distiller, and you’ll follow steps that turn your botanical choices into actual gin. You’ll also get advice along the way. This is where a lot of gin experiences fail—they either assume everyone has a technical background, or they don’t provide enough coaching. Here, you get enough help that even if you’re starting from zero, you come away feeling like you understand the logic behind the flavor.

A practical tip from the way the class is structured: taste during the decision points. Don’t wait until the end. Your recipe choices are supposed to be made while you’re still learning what different botanicals do.

What You Learn to Do at Home (Without Overcomplicating It)

A good gin school should give you more than a souvenir bottle. This one aims for exactly that: you learn how to make your own gin at home.

Now, no class can hand you a full distillery setup in a tour room. But it can teach what to pay attention to:

• which botanicals create the structure
• how citrus and spices shift aroma
• how juniper stays central even when you add other flavors
• how to think in terms of balance rather than just piling in ingredients

That’s why the tastings and the “build your recipe” step are such a strong pairing. You’re basically building a mental recipe map, not memorizing a list.

The Slightly Mad Aberdeen Detail: Trains Overhead

One of those details that makes this experience feel real is the setting itself. You’re distilling with trains rumbling overhead. That sounds like a nuisance until you notice what it actually does: it keeps things grounded. You’re not inside a perfect lab world where nothing ever happens. You’re in Aberdeen, in a working urban space, doing a hands-on craft while the city carries on.

It’s also a good reminder for you: this is a lived-in location. Plan your expectations accordingly. You’ll focus on aroma and flavor, but the environment won’t be silent.

Comfort and Accessibility: Seats, Standing, and a Mobility-Friendly Bench

If you’re weighing whether you’ll be comfortable, here’s what matters based on the information you have.

• There are some standing sections, but seats are available throughout.
• The distillery is on a single level.
• There’s a dropped curb close to the property, and a wheelchair WC is available.
• The gin-making bench is designed for accessibility, including wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but places are limited—so you’ll want to discuss your specific needs if you’re bringing mobility equipment.

Also: wheelchair WC available, and a separate bench design means they thought about how the work happens, not just how people move through rooms. That’s a better sign than “we have a ramp somewhere.”

Pricing: Is $190 Worth It?

At $190 per person for a two-hour experience, you’re paying for several things at once:

• a guided distilling session with your own recipe
• a 70cl bottle made to your choices
• a double G&T welcome plus drinks throughout
• multiple gin samples and other drinks (like Prosecco and berry cocktail)
• staff-led help from people like Dan and Alan
• take-home extras (swag like drink mats, a branded pen, and a postcard)

Value is often about what you leave with. Here, you leave with an actual bottle sized for real use (70cl). If you compare this to simply buying a guided tasting plus bottles at retail, the economics usually look better when you factor in that you’re customizing the product and leaving with a full bottle, not just a few tasting pours.

Also consider the experiential value: you’re learning how to think about botanicals and balance, then applying it immediately. That’s the kind of learning you actually use later.

Souvenir Perfection: Bottle Naming and the Final Toast

The class doesn’t end right after bottling. There’s a final “name it” moment that’s surprisingly fun. You bottle your gin, then you christen it with a title that fits the spirit of your recipe. It’s a small step, but it turns the bottle from a product into your own story.

Then there’s the surprise cocktail at the close, meant for a toast. It’s the kind of finale that helps you remember the experience as an event, not just a process.

Who This Gin School Is Best For

This class is a strong fit if:

• you want a hands-on activity in Aberdeen that feels grown-up but still fun
• you love gin, or you’re curious and want real guidance
• you want a meaningful gift you can’t easily copy elsewhere (your own bottle)
• you prefer structured, friendly coaching over “figure it out” crafting

It’s also great for couples. The format works well for two people sharing tastings and building the same bottle recipe decisions—then walking away with a personal product you designed together.

If you’re the kind of person who only drinks one style of gin, you might still enjoy the tastings, but you’ll probably want to pay attention while sampling London Dry versus fruit gin, because those differences are part of the education.

Should You Book City of Aberdeen Distillery’s Gin School?

If you’re on the fence, my take is simple: book it if you want a two-hour experience with real output—your own 70cl bottle—plus guided tastings and enough structure that you don’t feel lost.

Skip it (or go with a different plan) if you’re sensitive to being in a working distillery environment with some standing time, or if you’re not comfortable with a strong aroma focus and you won’t be able to avoid fragrances.

For most people visiting Aberdeen who want something authentic and practical, this is one of the better “activity + take-home” ideas around.

FAQ

How long is the Gin School Experience?

It lasts about 2 hours.

What do I take home from the experience?

You make and bottle your own 70cl bottle of Scottish Gin to your recipe.

Is there a welcome drink?

Yes. You get a double G&T on arrival.

Will I sample different gins during the class?

Yes. You’ll have samples of Aberdeen Gin and taste multiple gins from the range, including London Dry and fruit gins.

Are there non-alcoholic options?

Yes. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available, such as water and soft drinks.

What other drinks are included besides gin?

The class includes alcoholic drinks throughout, including samples and drinks like Prosecco and a berry cocktail, plus a surprise cocktail at the end.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The distillery is all on a single level with a dropped curb near the property, there is wheelchair WC available, and the gin-making bench is designed for accessibility (with limited places).

What do I need to bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not permitted in the distillery except guide dogs.

What’s the cancellation and payment flexibility?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now & pay later (book your spot and pay nothing today).

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you’re more into classic London Dry or fruitier styles—I can help you think through what kinds of botanical flavors might suit you before you go.

You Might Also Enjoy

London: ABBA Voyage Dance Floor TicketEdinburgh: The Johnnie Walker Signature ExperiencePrivate Discovery Tour: Edinburgh’s Strange & Secret HistoryLiverpool: Junkyard Golf Tickets for 9 or 18 Holes