Distill a bottle of Gin on mini copper stills

The best part of this Edinburgh experience is that you do not just hear how gin is made, you make a bottle of your own. At Sip Antics, you taste three different gins, choose botanicals to suit your palate, then distill your recipe on an individual mini copper still.

I like the very small class size, which means Neil or Gary can give you real help rather than a rehearsed speech. I also like the finished souvenir: a 500ml bottle that you name, label, taste, and wax seal yourself. The main consideration is the price, $125.01 per person, which is fair for a three-hour workshop but more than a standard tasting.

Key points about the Sip Antics gin class

• Your own 500ml bottle: You create, distill, taste, label, name, and wax seal your gin.
• Mini copper stills: Each person works with an individual still during the hands-on part of the class.
• Three tasting samples: You compare different botanical mixes and gin styles before designing your recipe.
• Small group setting: The class has a maximum of two people, allowing close guidance.
• Drinks included: You receive a gin and tonic on arrival and a cocktail while your gin distills.
• A practical Edinburgh souvenir: Your finished bottle gives you something personal to take home, not just another tasting glass.

Making gin instead of just drinking it

Many gin experiences follow the same pattern: hear a little history, sample a few pours, and leave with a pleasant buzz. Sip Antics takes a more useful route. You learn enough about gin styles and botanicals to make decisions, then put those decisions into practice.

That matters because gin can seem simple until you start separating its flavors. A bottle may lean toward citrus, herbs, spices, floral notes, or the familiar juniper character. Here, you taste three different examples before creating your recipe, so you have a better sense of what you actually enjoy.

I like this order. You are not asked to design a drink from a long list of unfamiliar ingredients right away. First, you taste. Then you compare. After that, you choose.

The class takes place in a bespoke micro distillery room at Sip Antics, the Gin and Rum School in Edinburgh. The meeting point is The Cumberland Bar at 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, with a 12:00 p.m. start. The activity lasts about three hours and returns you to the meeting point at the end.

A friendly start with gin and tonic

Your session begins with a welcome and a gin and tonic. That gives you a relaxed start while the guide explains how the class will work. You are not rushed straight into equipment or technical terms.

The welcome drink also fits the purpose of the class. Gin is meant to be tasted in context, and a gin and tonic shows how the spirit works in a familiar serve. From there, the class moves into the tasting stage.

The guides named in the feedback are Neil and Gary. Neil receives especially strong praise for being funny, warm, musical, and able to explain the subject without making it stiff. Gary is described as careful about matching the final recipe to individual tastes. Those details suggest a teaching style that is personal rather than formal.

That distinction is important in a class this small. With a maximum of two people, you can ask questions, change your mind, and get direct help as you build your recipe. If you prefer a large social group with lots of noise, this may feel too intimate. If you want attention from the guide, the size is a major advantage.

Three gin samples before you choose

The tasting includes three different gin samples and botanical mixes. This is not just a warm-up. It gives you a working vocabulary for the choices that come later.

You can pay attention to the flavors you like and the ones you do not. Perhaps you prefer a bright, citrus-led drink. Perhaps you like something more herbal or spicy. You may find that your favorite neat gin is not the same style you want in a gin and tonic. The class gives you room to notice those differences before you commit to a recipe.

The tasting also adds value to the price. You are not simply paying for a bottle made in front of you. You are learning how to judge gin, which can help you make better choices in bars, shops, and future tastings.

One useful tip is to avoid choosing ingredients just because they sound unusual. Your own bottle is 500ml, so it is worth building a recipe around flavors you already enjoy. The guide can help you balance those choices instead of letting one strong botanical take over.

Designing your own botanical recipe

After the tasting, you create your own bespoke gin recipe from the available ingredients. This is where the class becomes personal.

The guide offers hands-on help, but you still make the decisions. That balance is one of the strongest features of the experience. You are not handed a preset recipe, but you are also not left alone with a confusing set of botanicals.

The reviews make clear that individual interpretation is encouraged. Neil explains the basic ideas, then allows each person to develop a gin suited to their own taste. That is a better approach than pretending there is one correct recipe.

Your bottle becomes a record of your preferences at that moment. You can choose a style that feels classic, experiment with a new combination, or aim for something designed to share with family and friends at home. The process is creative without requiring prior knowledge of distilling.

I would treat this as the main learning section of the class. You begin to understand that gin is not one fixed flavor. It is a base spirit shaped by the botanicals selected and the balance between them.

Distilling on an individual mini copper still

Once your recipe is ready, you use your own mini copper still to distill the gin. This is the hands-on heart of the experience.

Working with an individual still gives the process a clear sense of ownership. You are not watching a large commercial machine from a distance. You can connect the choices you made with the bottle that comes out at the end.

The distillation takes time, which is why the session runs for about three hours. While the gin is being made, you enjoy a cocktail. That pause keeps the class from becoming a long wait and gives you another chance to taste gin in a mixed drink.

The precise technical details of the distilling process are not set out in the available information, so you should expect the guide to explain the working method during the class rather than arrive with a full production course in mind. This is an accessible introduction and a creative workshop, not professional distiller training.

That distinction helps set the right expectation. You will leave with a better understanding of gin making and a bottle you produced yourself. You will not leave qualified to operate a commercial distillery.

Tasting, bottling, and sealing your finished gin

When your gin has finished distilling, you taste it before bottling. This is a useful final check and one of the more satisfying moments of the class. You get to compare the finished spirit with the idea you had when choosing your botanicals.

The final bottle holds 500ml, or 50cl. You bottle it yourself, then label and name it. The bottle is finished with a wax seal, giving the souvenir a polished and personal touch.

This is where the experience gains value beyond the drinks consumed during the afternoon. You have something tangible to take home, and it carries a story. You can share it with family and friends, or keep it for a later occasion when you want to remember Edinburgh.

I also like that you taste the gin before sealing it. The process is not treated as a craft display where the finished item is simply handed over. You are involved in the final stage and get to see how your recipe turned out.

What the $125.01 price really includes

At $125.01 per person, this is not a budget activity. Still, the cost covers about three hours of instruction, three gin tastings, a gin and tonic, a cocktail, use of an individual mini copper still, and a 500ml bottle of your own gin.

The bottle is the clearest part of the value. A standard tasting may give you memories and perhaps a few notes about brands. This class gives you a finished product, along with the experience of making it.

The small group also matters. A maximum of two people means you are paying for close attention rather than a seat in a crowded demonstration. The value is strongest if you want to learn, ask questions, and make a personal recipe.

It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to drink inexpensive gin for an afternoon. You can find cheaper tastings. You are paying here for the teaching, the equipment, the guided recipe work, and the take-home bottle.

Timing, meeting point, and practical details

The scheduled start is 12:00 p.m., and the activity lasts around three hours. Plan your day around a half-day commitment rather than treating this as a quick stop between other sights.

You meet at The Cumberland Bar, 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT. The experience ends back at the meeting point. Since the listed start time is specific, arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and settle in.

The experience is offered in English. It has a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes inside that same 24-hour window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Edinburgh time.

Because the class is usually booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 48 days, I would not leave it until the last morning of your trip. That is especially true if you have a fixed Edinburgh schedule.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong choice for gin lovers, cocktail fans, and anyone who likes a hands-on activity. You do not need to be an expert. In fact, the class works well if you think you know gin but want to test your assumptions.

It also suits couples or two friends who want a quieter experience with direct help. The two-person maximum makes it less suitable for a large group looking for a shared party activity.

You will probably get the most from it if you enjoy making decisions and tasting carefully. The recipe is your own, but the process still benefits from attention. If you dislike botanical flavors or rarely drink gin, the price may be harder to justify.

The finished bottle also makes this a good fit for someone who wants an Edinburgh souvenir with a personal story. It is more memorable than a standard bottle bought from a shop because you made the recipe yourself and finished the packaging.

A few fair cautions before booking

The class focuses on gin, so it is not the right choice if you want a broad spirits tour. Sip Antics also offers a rum experience, but that is a separate activity.

You should also expect the final flavor to reflect your own choices. The guide can help you, but no recipe can guarantee that your first attempt will match your favorite commercial gin. That is part of the fun, but it is worth remembering if you are buying the experience mainly for a perfect bottle.

The $125.01 cost is another real consideration. The price makes sense when you count the drinks, instruction, small class, distilling session, and bottle. It may not suit a tight budget or someone who wants only a quick tasting.

The strongest reason to book is the combination of education and making. You learn how gin works, then produce a bottle that belongs to you.

Should you book the Sip Antics gin experience?

I would book this if you enjoy gin and want more than a guided sip. The class gives you three tastings, practical help from Neil or Gary, your own mini copper still, a cocktail during the process, and a 500ml bottle to take home.

The best fit is a couple or pair of friends who appreciate a small class and do not mind spending three hours on one subject. Book ahead, especially since the experience is often reserved weeks in advance.

Skip it if you are looking for a low-cost drink, a large group event, or a general Edinburgh sightseeing tour. For a gin fan who wants a personal souvenir and a better understanding of botanical flavors, this is a thoughtful and unusually hands-on way to spend an afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the gin-making experience begin?

You meet at The Cumberland Bar, 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the class?

The activity has a maximum of two travelers.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $125.01 per person.

How much gin do you take home?

You distill and bottle 500ml, or 50cl, of your own gin.

What drinks are included during the class?

You receive a gin and tonic on arrival, three gin tasting samples, and a cocktail while your gin is distilling.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.