Edinburgh Gin has been a much-loved gin by locals and visitors to the city alike for many years and now they have finally opened their brand new distillery in the city centre! At Edinburgh Gin Distillery you can find an array of experiences, tastings and tours, from the classic distillery tour (£28/pp) to full gin making experiences (£120/pp) where you can create your very own botanical blend. The distillery is located just minutes from Waverley Train Station in the heart of Edinburgh. Housed in a beautifully restored historical building and not only can you do tours and tastings here, but also visit the well-stocked shop with all the Edinburgh Gin creations on the ground floor and their beautiful bar upstairs which makes some cracking martinis and other gin cocktails! Looking for Edinburgh Gin distillery reviews to help you decide which tour to book?
As an Edinburgh-based drinks writer and photographer with over 10 years’ experience reviewing distilleries across Scotland, this guide covers all six experiences I’ve visited multiple times.
Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tour in Edinburgh: A botanical experience in the heart of the city
I was very lucky to be one of the first people to see the Edinburgh Gin Distillery as we booked a tour and gin tasting for my mother in laws birthday just days after its opening date. I have enjoyed their gins since the very first week I moved to the city, over ten years ago as the Elderflower Gin Liqueur it was the very first souvenir I bought myself. Elderflower has been a really nostalgic flavour to me growing up so I thought it would be the perfect thing to get myself as a ‘taste of Edinburgh’. And still to this day, it’s one of my favourites. I always have a soft spot for watching local brands do well and it was great to see this beautiful space after months of waiting for it to open.
I have worked as a drinks writer and photographer for over ten years now and have had the great opportunity to experience all of the distillery tours in the city and the tours at Edinburgh Gin have really managed to stand out with their well-designed and enjoyable experiences and tastings. Visitors can explore the role of local botanicals, experiment with flavour profiles and gain insight into how Edinburgh Gin continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. It’s a must-visit stop for anyone keen to experience the city’s vibrant and ever-growing gin scene.
Opening hours
Edinburgh Gin Distillery is open 7 days a week with tours between 11.00 and 17.00 (last tour is 19.00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday). The distillery bar is open 12.00-20.00 Sunday to Wednesday and 12.00-22.30 Thursday to Saturday.
The best time to visit
The distillery tours and the bar are particularly busy on the weekends as well as evenings in the high season so mid-week is a great time to visit if you can. It is also recommended to book a tour in advance to make sure you get a spot when it suits you. I always prefer visiting during daylight hours as there is a lovely view from the bar which would be a shame to miss!
What is Edinburgh Gin?
Edinburgh Gin is a Scottish gin brand that started in 2010. One of the big reasons that there was a big gin boom across the UK around this time was that there was a change of regulations that previously prevented small-scale gin producers from operating, meaning that only big producers could make gin. When these regulations changed in 2009, there was a surge of micro-distilleries popping up all over the United Kingdom – Edinburgh Gin was one of them. They have now grown to becoming one of Scotland’s most-loved gins and in 2025 they finally opened their brand new distillery in the city centre of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Gin Distillery can be found on East Market Street near Waverley Train Station.
Edinburgh Gin produces both gins and gin liqueurs, and the difference is that there is added sugar to the liqueurs. Many of their gin expressions are flavoured with things like Rhubarb & Ginger, Key Lime & Ginger or Orange & Basil but they also do their London Dry style gins like The Classic, The Cannonball and Tiramisu Gin.
♥ What is a London Dry style gin? Well, it’s a category of gin where no flavourings or sugar have been added after distillation. All the botanical character come from the vapours either being infused with them before distillation. Or going through a big basket (like a massive tea bag) during distillation. As a drinks writer I am always fascinated by how flavour is imparted in to spirits. And with gin it is such a fascinating process.
Different tour options at Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh Gin Distillery offers many different experiences. From the classic gin tour to gin making experiences and cocktail classes.
Which tour or tasting suits you?
- Classic Tour & Tasting: For a great introduction to Edinburgh Gin and the distillery
- Gin Making Experience: For those wanting to delve deeper into gin distillation
- Decadent Duo: Gin & Chocolate Pairing: For gin and chocolate lovers
- Aroma Alchemy: Gin Tasting Masterclass: For those wanting to learn more about sensory analysis
- Mix & Muddle Cocktail Class: For cocktail enthusiasts
Classic Tour & Tasting
- Cost: £28 per peson
- Duration: 65 minutes
The Classic Tour & Tasting is a great experience to learn more about Edinburgh Gin and see the whole distillery. As the tour starts you will be welcomed with a refreshing gin & tonic to sip on whilst the story of Edinburgh Gin is presented. Then in the flavour arch you will learn more about the botanicals for the gins. And in the still room you find out how the distillation and production of the gins work. After the tour you will head upstairs to one of the tasting rooms where there is the opportunity to try a selection of gins, with or without the optional mixers and garnishes that the host will present.
The perfect experience for those wanting to learn more about gin and try a selection of the portfolio.
Gin Making Experience
- Cost: £120 per person
- Duration: 3-3.5 hours
Have you ever dreamt of creating your own gin? Well here’s your chance! The Gin Making Experience is where you get an immersive distillery tour before heading to The Arches Gin Lab. Here you will explore a range of botanicals and learn how to release the essential oils and flavours from your chosen ingredients into the spirit in small copper stills. Whilst the stills are doing their work you will also enjoy a tutore tasting of gins from the Edinburgh Gin portfolio. To round up the experience you will get a 70cl bottle with a custom label and wax dipped seal and of course try and gin and tonic of your own creation.
This is a great experience for those who want to delve deeper into gin and use their creativity to distill their own.
Decadent Duo: Gin & Chocolate Pairing
- Cost: £35 per person
- Duration: 75 minutes
This experience includes a distillery tour but ends with a tutored tasting of a selection of gins paired with hand-selected chocolated from the local artisan chocolate maker COCO Chocolatier. A new way to experience gins and perhaps you will find a new favourite flavour combination.
When I host my spirits tastings I often like to include chocolates. They have a great way of coating your palate, which means that you will taste less of the alcohol and more of the flavour compounds underneath.
The perfect experience for those who love both gin and chocolate.
Aroma Alchemy: Gin Tasting Masterclass
- Cost: £65 per person
- Duration: 105 minutes
This is the experience where you get to delve further into the complexiy of botanicals and uncover the secrets of the distillation process here at Edinburgh Gin. Not only do you get the distillery tour, but also a guided tasting journey which will challenge your sensory skills and learn more about the gins and infusing garnishes. You will also get to take home your own infused spray garnish that you will craft during the experience.
I have done a lot of sensory analysis when I have been training my nose or writing tasting notes for new spirit releases. It is such a fun way to challenge your senses! And it can be a lot harder than it seems as the differences between similar notes. Things like lemon and lime or cinnamon and clove can be different than you might remember them.
A great experience if you want to learn more about aroma and flavours and test your senses.
Mix & Muddle Cocktail Class
- Cost: £50 per person
- Duration: 120 minutes
Guided by the Edinburgh Gin Distillery Ambassadors you will embark on a cocktail journey and learn more about both the gins and the cocktails that you will taste and craft. There will also be a fun quiz to test your cocktail and gin knowledge before your get the opportunity to shake up one last cocktail for yourself.
The perfect experience for gin cocktail enthusiasts.
Sip & Savour: Gin Meets Mellis Cheese
- Cost: £65 per person
- Duration: 105 hours
After a distillery tour you take your seat to enjoy a tutored tasting of selected gins paired with cheeses from local cheesemonger IJ Mellis, along with chutneys and crackers. IJ Mellis tends to focus a lot on British and in particular Scottish cheeses. As if that wasn’t enough you also get to shake up your own cocktail for the experience.
I’m a frequent visitor to their Edinburgh shops as their selection is just great. In my personal opinion they are the best cheesemonger in town and they pair really well with spirits.
The perfect experience for those who love both gin and cheese!
Special event
For seasonal events like Valentines there are special events available for a limited time, such as themed cocktail masterclasses or tastings.
♥ Read more about seasonal events in Edinburgh, in our guide to the best time to visit the city here!
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery Bar
You do not have to book in for a tour or a tasting to visit the beautiful gin distillery bar. In the menu you will find a great selection of gins and cocktails. And great recommendations for martinis, seasonal spritz serves and gin & tonics. The space is bright and open with lots of natural light due to the large windows that frame the entire space. It’s a great spot to step into to enjoy a cocktail or two. And of course if you’ve come to try Edinburgh gins it’s one of the best bars in town! The best time to come visit is during daylight hours on weekdays so you can properly admire the space and the views without it being too busy.
Cocktail recommendation: Edinburgh Gin Old Tom Martinez made with vermouth, maraschino cherry liqueur and bitters.
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery Shop
Even if you are just wanting to browse the Edinburgh Gin products you can do so in the shop on the ground floor. There is an extensive option of gins, liqueurs and merchandise so that you can browse for souvenirs, gifts or treats.
My recommendations for souvenirs or gifts:
- Edinburgh Gin Seaside: A great maritime gin for gin & tonics. I recommend serving it with a fresh slice of grapefruit and a thyme sprig.
- Rhubarb & Ginger Gin: A classic amongst the flavoured gins and just such a nice flavour combination for a gin.
- Elderflower Liqueur: My personal favourite of the liqueurs!
- Triple Flavoured Gin Gift Pack: The perfect gift pack to offer a taste of Edinburgh Gin.
Make sure to check out these tours I’ve selected that would suit you very much if you’d like my recommendations:
FAQ – Edinburgh Gin Distillery Reviews
Absolutely, there are gift certificate options for specific experiences on the website.
No, children are only allowed in the shop on the ground floor but it is a strict 18+ policy for the experiences and the bar.
Yes! The shop on the ground floor has a great selection of gins, liqueurs and other products.
The Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb and Ginger is very popular amongst the flavoured gins and the Edinburgh Gin Elderflower is one of the most popular gin liqueurs in their portfolio.
Dogs are not permitted on any distillery experiences or in the bar, but well-behaved dogs are welcome in the lobby and the shop. Assistance dogs and emotional support dogs are welcome in all areas, however emotional support dogs require a valid certification whereas with assistance dogs no certification is required.
Edinburgh Gin Distillery is open 7 days a week with tours between 11.00 and 17.00 (last tour is 19.00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday). The distillery bar is open 12.00-20.00 Sunday to Wednesday and 12.00-22.30 Thursday to Saturday.
Yes, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery reviews are spot-on. Having visited over 10 times since opening and reviewed countless distillery tours across Scotland, I can confirm: the restored historical building is genuinely stunning, the tour guides are engaging and knowledgeable, and the distillery bar upstairs is exceptional. The Gin Making Experience lives up to its reputation – creating your own gin in small copper stills and taking home a 70cl bottle with custom label is worth the money.
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
