Your bottle of Scottish gin starts on a workbench. At the City of Aberdeen Distillery Gin School Experience, you follow the head distiller’s lead to craft and distil your 70cl bottle of Scottish gin in about 2 hours. It’s hands-on, fun, and very Aberdeen in feel, from the working distillery setting to the train rumble overhead.

One reason I like this experience: you don’t just taste gin, you build it, bottle it, and take it home. Another big win is the freedom in the recipe: you get access to 100+ botanicals, including Macedonian juniper and fresh citrus, so your gin can actually reflect your taste. The main thing to weigh is the price: at $190 per person, it’s a splurge, so it makes most sense if you’ll enjoy a tasting-and-making class, not just a quick pour.

Key points before you go

• Make and take home your own 70cl bottle of Scottish gin
• Double G&T welcome plus drinks throughout the session
• 100+ botanicals to shape your recipe, from juniper to fresh citrus
• London Dry and fruit gin styles for a clear sense of what changes the flavor
• Head distiller guidance with plenty of samples to steer your decisions
• Swag and Wi-Fi included, because the experience goes beyond just the class

Entering the distillery: railway arch #10 in Aberdeen

Check in at the railway arches, specifically Arch #10. This is part of the charm: you’re not walking into a museum-like set. You’re stepping into a working distillery environment, and that gives the class a grounded, real-world feel.

Timing matters because you start with a welcome drink right away. If you arrive early, you’ll still want to be ready to jump in. And if you’re thinking about taking photos, do it lightly; this is a working bench experience, and the focus stays on the process, aromas, and samples.

Double G&T arrival and the tasting rhythm that builds your recipe

The first hit is a double Gin & Tonic on arrival. It sets the mood fast, and it also helps you start thinking like a gin maker: crisp, herbal, botanical, and balanced.

During the class, you keep sampling from the Aberdeen gin range. You’ll also see other served drinks move through the experience, including Prosecco and a berry cocktail. The pacing is important here. Instead of one long tasting at the start, you taste alongside what you’re learning, so your palate can guide your choices when it’s time to build your bottle.

This is also where the class works for beginners. Even if gin is new to you, you’re not left alone with a confusing menu. You get samples, neat tasting moments, then mixers for each sample so you can compare how the flavor profile behaves in a typical serve.

The head distiller teaching style: practical, chatty, and focused on results

This is a guided build-from-scratch experience, led by the Head Distiller, and the instruction is hands-on. The vibe isn’t stiff. It’s more like working with someone who knows the process and wants you to succeed, from choosing botanicals to getting your bottle finished.

In the teaching flow, you also pick up stories about Aberdeen’s distilling past, including the city’s long-lost distilleries and how gin connects to broader origins. You don’t need a history degree to enjoy that part. It simply adds context to what you’re doing at the bench, why certain flavors belong in gin, and why technique matters.

There’s a practical side, too. You get advice aimed at making sure your recipe actually works as a real bottle of Scottish gin, not just an idea on paper.

Botanicals lab: Macedonian juniper, fresh citrus, and choices that matter

This is the heart of the class. You use premium organic alcohol plus handpicked botanicals from across the globe. The flavor anchor is Macedonian juniper, and it’s the foundation for the classic gin character.

Then comes the fun part: you get access to over 100 botanicals. That includes fresh citrus, plus options that can shift your gin toward things like orange-forward brightness or subtler warmth from Asian spices. The point isn’t to memorize a botanicals list. The point is to smell and taste what each direction does, so you can make decisions that fit your drink style.

You’ll also learn about different gin styles you can aim for, especially London Dry and fruit gins. That matters because gin isn’t just one flavor. If you like something crisp and traditional, you can steer that way. If you prefer a more fruity, rounder sip, you can build toward that.

From samples to a personal recipe: how you actually pick your flavor direction

By the time you’re building your bottle, you’re not guessing. You’ve tested enough variations to form a sense of what you like and what you’d rather avoid. This turns the recipe-building part from “press buttons and hope” into actual choice.

The way the tasting is handled helps here. You try gins neat, then with mixers, so you understand how botanicals express themselves both plain and in a typical cocktail context. It’s also a good way to learn your own preferences quickly. Maybe you love an aroma but want it toned down in a G&T. Or maybe a fruitier direction is exactly your thing.

You also get practical guidance from the team while you craft your recipe. The goal is a bottle that tastes like your intention, not like a random experiment.

Distilling and bottling: finishing your bottle of Scottish gin

Once your recipe is set, the session turns into the real-making part. You become the maker behind your gin: distil it using your chosen botanicals, then bottle the results as your finished product.

The big reward is tangible. You bottle your own gin and take home a 70cl bottle made to your recipe. That take-home part changes the whole value equation, because you’re paying for an experience and a finished premium bottle.

Then comes the last creative step: naming your gin. It’s a small moment, but it adds personality to the bottle. You’re not just leaving with alcohol; you’re leaving with a story you helped write.

Drinks, toast, and the local Aberdeen feel

As the class wraps up, there’s a surprise cocktail, served as a toast to your new status as an Aberdeen distiller. That final drink works like a little celebration moment without turning the whole event into a party. It keeps the tone upbeat and marks the end of your build process.

Along the way, the setting keeps one foot in everyday Aberdeen reality. You can even enjoy the local backdrop while you work, including trains rumbling overhead. It’s not a silent tasting room experience, and that’s part of what makes it feel like a genuine working operation.

You also get helpful extras: Wi-Fi is included, and there’s swag such as drink mats, a distillery-branded pen, and a postcard. Those aren’t why you come, but they’re a nice bonus after a hands-on session.

Price and value: is $190 per person fair for an Aberdeen gin school?

At $190 per person, this isn’t a bargain tour. But it can be a strong value if you treat it like a combined tasting workshop plus a premium bottle you actually get to make.

Here’s what your money covers from the details you’ll experience:

• a guided gin-making session with the Head Distiller
• your own 70cl bottle made from your recipe
• a double G&T on arrival
• samples of the Aberdeen gin range
• drinks throughout the session
• non-alcoholic alternatives
• included extras like Wi-Fi and branded swag

If your end goal is simply to sample gin cheaply, this will cost more than a standard tasting. If your end goal is a guided hands-on experience where you leave with a full bottle of Scottish gin customized by you, the pricing starts to make more sense.

Who this gin school suits best (and who should reconsider)

This experience is a great match if you want a memorable activity that doesn’t feel generic. It’s especially good for couples, birthdays, or anyone who enjoys sensory experiences—smell, taste, and decision-making—more than passive sightseeing.

It also works well for beginners. You’ll get guided tasting and support while you build your recipe, so you’re not stuck trying to figure things out alone.

A few situations to keep in mind:

• If you want a quiet, low-fragrance environment, note the request to avoid wearing strong fragrances, since aromas are part of the class.
• If mobility is an issue, the distillery is on a single level, and there’s a wheelchair WC available. The gin-making bench can accommodate additional mobility equipment, but places are limited, so it’s smart to check ahead.
• Pets are not allowed except guide dogs.

Should you book the City of Aberdeen Gin School Experience?

I’d book it if you like the idea of making something real and taking it home: a 70cl bottle of Scottish gin designed from your own tastes. The double G&T welcome, the steady sampling, and the freedom to choose from 100+ botanicals make this more than a one-note tasting.

I’d hold off if $190 feels too steep for you, or if you’re only curious about gin and don’t want a hands-on workshop format. For the right kind of traveler, though, this is the sort of experience you’ll remember because your bottle has your fingerprint on it.

FAQ

How long is the Gin School Experience?

The Gin School Experience runs for 2 hours.

What is included with the $190 per person price?

You get a double G&T on arrival, samples of Aberdeen Gin, your own 70cl bottle of Scottish gin made to your recipe (plus drinks throughout), and non-alcoholic alternatives like water and soft drinks. You also get included items like Wi-Fi and branded swag.

Where do I meet for the class?

You should enter the railway arch and look for Arch #10.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The distillery is all on a single level with a dropped curb close to the property, and a wheelchair WC is available. The gin-making bench is built to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility scooters, but those spots are limited, so it’s best to check availability in advance.

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