Rum and copper stills in the middle of Edinburgh. In this hands-on class, you’ll distill your own custom rum to take home—500ml, 50cl, finished with a wax seal and your own label. It’s a fun afternoon built around tastings, real choice, and a tiny still that runs your recipe from start to finish.

I love how personal it feels: you work in a very small group (max three), and you actually build a blend with up to ten botanicals. I also like the practical flow—arrive for a rum and mixer, try three tasting samples, then go from flavor idea to distilled bottle. One thing to consider: this is a class where alcohol is part of the experience, so if you’re not comfortable with that pace, you might want to choose a lighter activity.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Small group, max 3 people: more hands-on time and less waiting around.
• Pick up to 10 botanicals: you’re not choosing from a preset menu.
• Individual mini copper still: your recipe gets its own run.
• Tasting before distilling: you test three rums first, then design your final blend.
• Take-home bottle is finished for gifting: label, naming, and wax sealing included.

Where the Class Starts: Cumberland Bar and a Micro Distillery Room

The meeting point is the Cumberland Bar, at 1-3 Cumberland St in Edinburgh (EH3 6RT). The class starts at 12:00 pm, and it ends back at the same meeting spot, so you don’t have to plan a second trip across town.

When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed into a bespoke micro distillery room. It’s set up for the whole experience, not just a quick demo, and that matters because you’ll spend the bulk of the time there—tasting, mixing, distilling, and finishing your bottle.

Also, this is in an area that’s practical for visitors: it’s near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. If you’re building a daytime itinerary, this is one of those activities that won’t force you into complex logistics.

A Very Small Group, Led by Gary or Neil

This is the kind of tour where the host can actually keep an eye on everyone. The booking info lists a maximum of three travelers, which usually means you get questions answered right away and you’re not watching someone else do the fun part.

Two hosts come up again and again: Gary and Neil. Both are described as personable and able to put people at ease before things get technical. And yes, the class has a serious distilling element—but the vibe stays friendly, with enough humor that the process feels less intimidating.

If you’re worried about understanding alcohol jargon, don’t. The approach is hands-on and explained step by step, with plenty of time to ask even the basic questions.

What Happens When You Arrive: Rum and Mixer Right Away

The first moment sets the tone. You’ll get a rum and mixer on arrival, then you’ll settle in while the host walks you through what the class covers.

This intro step is useful because it helps you calibrate your palate before you start tasting. You’re not going in cold—you’re already in the rum mood, and you’ll be better at noticing differences when the tasting samples come out.

It also means the first stretch isn’t just paperwork or lecture time. You’re already experiencing the flavors, then learning how they’re built.

The Tasting Step: Three Rum Samples Before You Build Your Own

After the welcome, each guest tries three different rum tasting samples. This is one of the best parts of the whole concept because it gives you a real sense of what directions you can take before you start choosing botanicals.

Here’s why this matters: rum flavors can swing from warm and spiced to fresher, fruit-forward notes depending on the ingredients. Trying multiple samples first helps you avoid guessing, and it makes your final blend feel like a decision, not a random pick.

The host will guide you through what you’re tasting and how ingredients can affect flavor. If you like comparing aromas—spices, herbs, and fruit notes—you’ll probably enjoy this section the most.

Choosing Your Flavor: Up to 10 Botanicals, Then Your Recipe Gets Distilled

The big thrill here is that you choose your own formula. You can select up to 10 botanicals to create a custom flavor profile, using available ingredients.

From a practical standpoint, this is where your background (or lack of it) doesn’t matter. The class is designed so you can build a blend based on what you like tasting. One good tip: use the tasting step to identify what you want more of—spice warmth, herbal character, fruit-like brightness, or a smoother base feel.

You’ll then use your choices in the distillation process. Each guest works on an individual mini copper still, so your blend isn’t diluted into a group recipe.

Distilling Your Rum on a Mini Copper Still (Your 500ml Take-Home Bottle)

Once your recipe is set, you’ll distill using your individual mini copper still. The goal is a bottle of 500ml (50cl) that you make and take home.

Distilling is hands-on enough that you’ll feel the “process” part, but it’s still structured so you’re not left guessing what’s going on. You’ll watch your blend transform, and then you’ll move to the final steps once it’s ready.

One extra detail that makes the product feel “real” instead of novelty: after distilling, it’s measured for proof before bottling. That gives you a better sense of what you’re taking home, not just a flavored spirit experiment.

While It Runs: Cocktail Break Time and the Final Taste Test

While your rum distills, you’ll enjoy a cocktail. This is a nice pause because distillation takes time, and the class keeps things comfortable instead of waiting in silence.

When your rum is ready, you get to taste it before the finishing steps. That taste moment is important—you can understand what your ingredient choices actually produced, then you get to lock it in by moving to bottling.

If you’re the type who likes to refine flavors, you’ll appreciate this stage because it turns the whole experience into feedback, not just a one-way workshop.

Bottling, Labeling, Naming, and Wax Sealing

The end product isn’t just poured into a bottle and handed over. You bottle, label, name, and wax seal your rum, turning it into a finished item you can keep or gift.

This is one of those details that makes the class feel worth the time. A 50cl bottle you customize yourself becomes a story you can retell: your botanicals, your tasting choices, your run on the still, and your final flavor.

Even if you’re planning to drink it later, the “make it look finished” part is satisfying. It also makes it easier if you’re thinking about a birthday gift or a fun couple activity.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At $123.40 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for more than ingredients. You’re paying for the space, the equipment (including a mini copper still per guest), the guided tasting and teaching, and the full finishing process that includes labeling, naming, and wax sealing.

The value becomes clearer when you account for what’s included:

• a rum and mixer on arrival
• three rum tasting samples
• a custom blend using up to 10 botanicals
• your own distillation run
• a cocktail while you wait
• a 500ml bottle to take home

And since the class runs in a very small group, that personal attention has to factor into the price. This isn’t a mass-production “tour stop.” It’s designed for you to walk away with something you made.

One more practical point: it’s often booked around 41 days in advance. If you’re traveling in peak periods, I’d plan ahead.

Who This Class Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

If you’re a rum fan, or you like the idea of experimenting with flavors, this is a strong fit. It’s also great for groups who want a shared activity with a clear end result—your bottle.

You’ll enjoy it most if you like:

• tasting and comparing flavors
• smelling herbs and spices while you choose ingredients
• doing something hands-on instead of just watching

I’d consider skipping if alcohol timing is a problem for you. This experience is built around tasting and includes a cocktail while distilling, so it’s not a “dry” workshop.

Also, if you want a bigger, sightseeing-focused day, keep this to a single anchor activity. It’s a full 3-hour block in one place.

Should You Book Sip Antics Rum Distilling?

I think you should book if you want a real, personal souvenir. The combination of small group size, custom botanicals, and an individual mini copper still makes this feel like you truly authored your bottle—not just participated in a tasting.

Book early if you’re set on a specific date, because it fills ahead. If you can get a slot, this is one of those rare Edinburgh experiences that ends with something tangible: your named, labeled, wax-sealed rum.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you’re more into sweet/spiced or fruity styles—I can suggest a good way to approach your botanicals choices during the tasting step.

FAQ

Where is the Sip Antics rum distilling class located?

The experience starts at the Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland St, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK.

What time does the class begin?

The start time listed is 12:00 pm.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 3 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 3 travelers.

How do you choose what goes into your rum?

You can select up to 10 botanicals to design your custom rum recipe.

What do you take home?

You take home a 500ml (50cl) bottle of rum, which you bottle, label, name, and wax seal.

Is the experience offered in English, and are service animals allowed?

Yes, it’s offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and you should inform the provider if anyone in your group has allergens.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time, based on local time. Less than 24 hours before start time is not refundable.

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