The Edinburgh Gin Distillery & the Coolest Bar You’ll Set Foot In Scotland

Up until this most recent trip to Scotland, I had never tried gin. Ever.

To me, gin just sounded like a strong spirit that I surely wouldn’t like, so I just stayed away opting for ciders or a glass of white wine whenever drinks were to be had. That changed when I attended a dinner at Achnagairn Castle during the Social Travel Summit in Inverness. That gala dinner was one of the funnest parties I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending, and then at the end of the night, when things were winding down, we had the opportunity to do a gin tasting.

All around the room various gin suppliers from the region had set up tables showcasing the best of the best; this was my chance. Seeing that one table was serving up gin and tonics, I approached the bartender rather hesitantly. He began enthusiastically listing off all the gins he had to offer, at which point I cut in, “I know nothing about gin, so I’ll let you choose. Surprise me.” And surprise me he did.

That was my first taste of gin; 1 part gin, 1 part tonic water, and an orange skin as garnish.

It was an instant hit. Forget ciders and wine! For the rest of my trip to Scotland I would be drinking gin and tonics every time we went out for drinks.

But first, I should take a step back and answer one key question:

What is gin, anyway?

So, I realize most people my age probably know all about gin, but in case there are any other gin newbies out there, here we go:

Gin is an alcoholic spirit that is clear in colour, made from grain, flavoured with juniper berries, and well, it’s been around for a really long time! The early origins of gin date back to Medieval times, and over the course of the centuries it has been used as perfume, medicine, and a drink. Fancy that!

Visiting the Edinburgh Gin Distillery

With this new found love for gin and an upcoming trip to Edinburgh, it only made sense to take part in the Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tour.

Now let me tell you, I have visited a lot of wineries and distilleries before and I’ve only enjoyed a small handful. Listening to someone drone on with facts and figures about wines and spirits is not my idea of a good time, but the tours at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery are nothing like that.

We started off by taking the stairs underground where we were led to a cozy room with dim lighting, leather couches, and within minutes we had a glass of gin and tonic in our hands. How’s that for kicking off a gin tour?

After some time to enjoy our drinks, we were then lead to the the next room where we grabbed our seats and met our guide, Abby (who was amazing, by the way!) She took us on a dark, grim journey of Edinburgh during its first gin craze, and as horrid as the tales were, I hung onto her every word.

History of Gin in Edinburgh

The 18th century was a time when Edinburgh experienced an epidemic of drunkeness where the city could not function. There were tales of the water being so polluted that the local population was better off drinking gin, spooky murders fuelled by addiction to this spirit, and rumours of a barrel of gin with a dead cat tasting better than the regular stuff because that’s how nasty early gin was. The gin we drink today is clearly not the gin the early distillers were producing.

What eventually stopped the gin madness was a mix of legislation and the rising cost of grain. Gin consumption would not see a resurgence until the Victorian Era, when Gin Palaces would become all the rage amongst the upper class.

After hearing all about gin’s history, it was time to get into the botanicals. The one key ingredient in gin is juniper berries – you need that to make gin – however, aside from that you can often find coriander and Angelica root used as well. (Our guide was telling us that over 95% of gins have these two botanicals, so if you ever want to venture a guess and look like a gin connoisseur it’s not a bad idea to list those two!) For the next part of our visit, we passed around mason jars filled with different botanicals where we tried to develop our sense of smell, with the hopes that we’d be able to identify some of these aromas in our gin.

And with that quick lesson, it was time to drink!

From Stories to Sips

For this, we made our way into what I can best describe as a gin den. After hours, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery turns into a bar called Heads and Tales, where they have these little caves wrapped in leather couches, perfect for drinking with a group of friends. This is where the gin tasting took place.

We started out with the hard stuff: Cannonball and Seaside, the first is Navy Strength meaning it is 57.2% alcohol! I can’t say I loved either of the two on their own (tonic water was my saving grace!), but I did enjoy sampling the gin liqueurs. For these, we tried raspberry, Elderflower, and rhubarb and ginger. My personal favourite was hands down the Elderflower, with a very light and floral sweetness; not a drop was left in my glass!

We also learned that the Edinburgh Gin Distillery comes up with seasonal flavours. Can you imagine sipping on a frankincense, myrrh & nutmeg flavoured gin liqueur right around the Christmas holidays?!

To wrap things up, visiting the Edinburgh Gin Distillery was one of my favourite experiences in town! I went in as a complete gin newbie, and I left with a new understanding of the spirit, a new appreciation for different botanicals, and a whole bunch of spooky stories from Edinburgh’s gin craze!

Suffice it to say, I have a new favourite drink.

Getting there & booking a tour:

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery is located in the West End of Edinburgh at 1a Rutland Place at basement level.

They offer 3 different tours to choose from: the 45 minute Discovery Tour, the 75 minute Expanded Tour, and the 3 hour Gin Making Class. All 3 tours come with a 10% discount for the Edinburgh Gin Shop. See here for details on how to arrange your visit.

Also, be sure to bring ID so you can prove you’re over 18. Otherwise you’re not getting in!

This trip was made possible in partnership with Visit Britain and iambassador. 

The Ultimate Gin Night: Plan, Sip, and Savor at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Quick Planner: Tours, Timing & What You Get

Taste Like You Mean It (6 Micro-Moves)

1. Swirl & Look – Clear, bright, no haze.
2. Nose from a distance – Hover; breathe through your mouth. Find the “headline” (pine? lemon? flowers?).
3. Tiny neat sip – Feel texture first (silky? lean?).
4. Add a few drops of water – Botanicals pop, especially in higher-ABV gins.
5. Build a micro G&T – 1 part gin : 2–3 parts tonic over plenty of ice. Notice how bitterness, bubbles and citrus transform it.
6. Reset – Water + a plain cracker. New glass if switching styles.

Build-Your-Own G&T Matrix

Start with lots of ice (it actually slows dilution), then use the flavor map below to mix and match.

Ratios to try: 1:2 for standard strength, 1:3 for navy strength or sweeter tonics. Peel > wedge: expressed oils perfume without watering things down.

The Season You Visit Changes the Vibe (and Your Packing List)

Five Easy Cocktails You Can Recreate at Home (No Fancy Gear)

Tom Collins – 50 ml gin · 25 ml lemon · 15 ml simple · soda. Build tall over ice; lemon wheel.
Bee’s Knees – 50 ml gin · 20 ml lemon · 20 ml honey syrup (1:1). Shake (or jar-shake) and strain; lemon peel.
Southside – 50 ml gin · 20 ml lime · 20 ml simple · 6–8 mint leaves. Clap mint; shake/strain; mint sprig.
Bramble (lazy) – 50 ml gin · 25 ml lemon · 15 ml simple · 15 ml blackberry liqueur. Build over crushed ice; drizzle liqueur; blackberry.
Hot Gin Toddy – 40 ml gin · 1 tsp honey · squeeze lemon · hot water. Mug, stir, peel with a clove.

What to Eat With What You’re Drinking

• Smoked salmon on oatcakes + dill → citrus-forward or coastal gins with grapefruit peel.
• Haggis bon bons + sharp chutney → classic London Dry with Indian tonic (lime peel).
• Cucumber sandwiches → elderflower G&T (light tonic).
• Fish & chips (splash of malt vinegar) → Mediterranean tonic with orange peel; rosemary optional.
• Shortbread or cranachan → raspberry/elderflower liqueur spritz for a low-ABV dessert.

Tiny Gin Glossary

• ABV: Alcohol by volume; strength of the spirit.
• Angelica root: Earthy stabilizer for botanicals.
• London Dry: A style (not location) that’s dry, juniper-led, and unsweetened.
• Navy Strength: ~57% ABV; bold and beautiful with lots of ice.
• Old Tom: Slightly sweeter, great for vintage cocktails.
• Orris root: Fixative that helps aromas linger.
• Seaside/Coastal: Contemporary style with sea botanicals (kelp, sea salt, coastal herbs).

Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tour in Scotland: Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do I need to book in advance?

Yes—tours regularly sell out, especially on Fridays and Saturdays and during festival season. Book the time slot you want online before you arrive in Edinburgh. Plan to get there 10–15 minutes early, and bring a government-issued photo ID because tastings are strictly 18+. If your plans are flexible, weekday late-afternoon tours are usually calmer.

2) What’s the difference between the Discovery Tour, the Expanded Tour, and the Gin-Making Class?

Think of them as “good, better, best.” The Discovery Tour (~45 minutes) is your essentials sampler: a welcome G&T, the origin story, a peek at the stills, and a guided taste. The Expanded Tour (~75 minutes) adds more time with botanicals, extra sips, and space for questions—great if you’re curious about production. The Gin-Making Class (~3 hours) is hands-on: you build a botanical recipe with a guide, distil a small batch on a mini still, and leave with your own bottle.

3) Are children allowed? What about teens?

Scotland’s alcohol laws are strict. Tastings are 18+ only, and you’ll be asked for ID. Some tour times do not admit under-18s at all; others may allow older teens as observers with a supervising adult but no alcohol. If you’re visiting with a family group, check the specific tour’s policy before booking.

4) I don’t usually like gin—will I still enjoy it?

Probably! Modern gins range from citrusy and bright to floral, coastal, or spice-forward, and the team is brilliant at tailoring tastings. Start with a tiny neat sip, then try the same gin with the right tonic and garnish—grapefruit peel with coastal styles, orange with spiced, elderflower tonic for delicate profiles. If you prefer sweeter, the gin liqueurs (elderflower, rhubarb-ginger, etc.) mixed with soda are crowd-pleasers.

5) Can I visit the Heads & Tales bar without doing a tour?

Yes. After hours, the distillery space becomes Heads & Tales, a moody, leather-clad bar that welcomes walk-ins and reservations. It’s a perfect place to order a tasting flight, a classic martini, or a build-your-own G&T. Tell the bartender what you like—“bright and citrusy, not sweet” or “coastal with grapefruit”—and they’ll steer you to the right pour.

6) When is the best time to go?

For fewer crowds: mid-week and earlier in the day. For atmosphere: early evening, then linger at the bar. Edinburgh’s summer and festival months are busiest; December weekends also fill fast (festive liqueurs are popular). Rain doesn’t matter—tours are indoors—but wet streets can slow travel, so pad your schedule.

7) How do I get there and back safely?

The distillery sits in the West End, a short walk from Princes Street and close to tram and bus stops. Options home: tram, bus, black cab, or rideshare. Do not plan to drive after a tasting; even a single flight can push you over the legal limit. If someone in your group is a designated driver, let staff know—they can offer alternatives.

8) What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable shoes for cobbles, a light layer (cellars can feel cool), and a compact umbrella. Bring photo ID and a water bottle. Skip heavy perfume—strong scents can dull your sense of smell during the botanical section. A small snack beforehand helps you taste, not rush.

9) Are there non-alcoholic or low-ABV options?

Yes. The bar can make proper zero-proof cocktails and mixers. During tours, you can request smaller pours, more tonic/soda, or focus on the aroma side of the session. If you’re pregnant or not drinking, tell your guide at check-in; they’ll look after you with alternatives so you can still enjoy the experience.

10) Can I take photos or video?

In the bar area—generally yes (no flash, please). In production spaces—often yes but ask first; staff will let you know what’s okay around the stills. Be mindful of other guests who may not want to be in your shots, and keep phones silent during the storytelling portions.

11) What can I buy to take home, and how do I pack it?

You’ll find miniatures, full bottles, seasonal liqueurs, and gift kits in the shop. For flights, liquids over 100 ml must go in checked baggage unless purchased airside duty-free. To pack: tape the cap, seal in a zip bag, wrap in socks or a sweater, and nestle mid-suitcase. If you’re traveling carry-on only, pick up miniatures (or ask about shipping to your address).

What’s your spirit of choice?
Have you ever tried gin?