City of Aberdeen Distillery: Gin School Experience

Making your own gin is the heart of this Aberdeen experience. You work with premium organic alcohol, Macedonian juniper, fresh citrus, and more than 100 botanicals, then leave with a 70cl bottle built around your own recipe. Dan and Alan guide the process without making it feel like a chemistry lesson.

I like the generous tasting element, which helps you understand what each ingredient does before you commit to a recipe. I also like the setting: you make genuine Aberdeen gin beneath a railway arch, with trains rumbling overhead. The main consideration is the $190 price, which is substantial for two hours, although it includes a bottle, a double G&T, drinks throughout, samples, and instruction.

Key points at a glance

• Make and bottle 70cl of your own gin: You choose the flavor direction and give your finished bottle a name.
• Taste before you decide: Samples of London Dry and fruit gins help you work out what you actually like.
• More than 100 botanicals: Use Macedonian juniper, fresh citrus, Asian spices, and other ingredients from around the world.
• A friendly two-hour class: Alan and Dan offer practical help and advice while keeping drinks flowing.
• A distinctive Aberdeen setting: The distillery sits in railway Arch #10, where passing trains add a local touch.
• Drinks and extras are included: Expect a welcome double G&T, gin samples, mixers, Prosecco, a berry cocktail, and small souvenirs.

Starting beneath Aberdeen’s railway arch

Find the distillery at Arch #10, marked above the doorway. Enter through the railway arch rather than looking for a conventional street-front shop. The setting gives the class a clear sense of place, and the sound of trains overhead is part of the charm.

The session lasts two hours, so the pace matters. You are not simply watching a demonstration. You spend the time tasting, discussing ingredients, making decisions, and producing a bottle. Seats are available throughout, though some parts involve standing.

Alan and Dan lead the session in English. Their approach is personal and hands-on. They begin by getting a sense of your taste in gin and other spirits, then use that information to steer your choices. That is useful if you know your favorite cocktail but cannot explain why one gin works better for you than another.

You receive a double G&T on arrival. This is not just a welcome drink. It gives you time to settle in, meet the distillers, and start thinking about the flavors you enjoy. Pace yourself, since alcoholic drinks continue through the class.

Learning what juniper does

Every proper gin recipe needs juniper, and this class starts with Macedonian juniper. It provides the familiar pine-like character that separates gin from a flavored vodka. You then consider the supporting ingredients, which can shift the drink toward citrus, spice, fruit, or other notes.

The value here is practical. Instead of being handed a finished drink and told what you should taste, you get to compare different gins and botanicals. You can sample Aberdeen’s London Dry and fruit gins, taste them neat, and try the suggested mixers. That progression shows how the same base spirit can behave in different combinations.

I especially like this format for people who are new to gin. You do not need a polished vocabulary for describing flavors. You can simply decide that one sample feels too dry, another needs more citrus, or a third has the balance you want. The distillers then help translate that preference into ingredients.

The botanical collection is a major part of the class. You might choose fresh orange or other citrus for a brighter profile, or look toward Asian spices for warmth and complexity. The exact recipe is yours, but the guidance keeps the process from becoming a random handful of ingredients.

Building a recipe from more than 100 botanicals

The recipe stage is where the class becomes personal. You select botanicals to accompany the essential juniper, considering how each one may affect aroma, taste, and the final drink. Fresh citrus is available, along with ingredients sourced from different parts of the world.

This is not a free-for-all. Alan and Dan advise you as you build the recipe, helping you avoid choices that may overpower the spirit. That guidance is important because a long list of ingredients does not necessarily make a better gin. A few well-matched flavors can give you a clearer result.

You also get a chance to learn ideas that can be used at home. The class explains the basic logic of making gin, so you leave with more than a bottle and a pleasant afternoon. You gain a working sense of how juniper, citrus, spices, and mixers shape the drink.

The tasting helps you make decisions with confidence. One person may prefer a classic London Dry style with a firm juniper center. Another may want a fruit-led drink or a gin with warmer spice. There is no single correct result, which makes this a good choice for couples or friends who enjoy comparing tastes.

Distilling your own 70cl bottle

Once the recipe is set, you distil your gin using premium organic alcohol. The finished result is bottled as a 70cl spirit for you to take home. This is the key value of the class: you are not only tasting a local product, you are producing a bottle that reflects your own choices.

You also name the gin. It is a small part of the process, but it gives the bottle a sense of ownership and makes it a natural gift. A good name can capture the ingredients, the Aberdeen setting, or simply the mood of the afternoon.

The practical nature of the activity makes it suitable for a birthday gift, a couple’s outing, or a small celebration. One booking described it as a birthday present, but both people found the class equally enjoyable. That makes sense: even if one person is more interested in gin, the tasting and recipe-building stages give both of you something to do.

Do not expect a full professional distiller’s qualification in two hours. You are learning the principles and making a personal bottle under supervision. The class offers a guided introduction, not a technical production course.

Drinks beyond the gin samples

The drinks are a major part of the package. Along with the arrival double G&T, you sample several Aberdeen gins neat and with mixers. Prosecco and a berry cocktail are also included, and a surprise cocktail arrives near the end.

That range keeps the session social, but it also affects how you should plan the rest of your day. You will be drinking across the two hours, not simply taking a small taste at the beginning. Water and soft drinks are available, so use them between samples if you want to stay comfortable.

The tasting format is particularly useful because it connects the class to real drinking habits. A gin that works neatly may taste different with tonic. A fruit gin may suit one mixer while a London Dry calls for another. You get to consider those differences rather than treating gin as a single style.

The class also includes a few small souvenirs: drink mats, a distillery-branded pen, and a postcard. These are modest extras, but they add a pleasant finishing touch and make the bottle easier to remember after you return home.

Aberdeen’s forgotten distilling story

The session includes the history of gin and the story of distilling in Aberdeen. You learn about the city’s long-lost distilleries and how gin fits into the area’s past. This gives the activity more local character than a generic cocktail workshop.

The railway arch setting strengthens that connection. You are not in a detached classroom with no sense of place. The distillery occupies part of the working fabric of Aberdeen, and the passing trains provide a reminder that the city continues around you.

I would not book this solely as a history tour. The historical section supports the making and tasting, rather than taking over the afternoon. If you want a detailed museum-style account of Aberdeen’s distilling industry, this is not the right format. If you enjoy a few local stories alongside a hands-on drink-making class, it fits well.

Is $190 a fair price?

At $190 per person, this is one of the pricier short activities you can add to an Aberdeen visit. The right question is not simply how much two hours costs. You should consider what is bundled into those two hours.

You receive a 70cl bottle of your own gin, a double G&T, samples from the range, alcoholic drinks throughout, Prosecco, a berry cocktail, a final cocktail, instruction, and small branded items. You also get access to the distillery and direct help from the people making the gin.

The value improves if you would otherwise buy a premium bottle as a gift or celebration purchase. It also works better for someone who enjoys tastings and wants to understand the ingredients, rather than someone who only wants to collect a bottle. You are paying for participation and guidance, not just the alcohol.

For a visitor watching every pound, the cost may be difficult to justify. For a birthday, couple’s activity, or special afternoon, the personal bottle and guided tasting make the price easier to defend. I would treat it as a special occasion experience rather than a basic sightseeing stop.

Access, clothing, and practical details

The distillery is on one level, with a dropped curb close to the property and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. The gin-making bench is designed to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters, though places are limited. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the distillery before booking to confirm the available setup.

Seats are available throughout, but there are some standing sections. Guide dogs are permitted, while other pets are not. Bring a passport or ID card.

Avoid strong perfume or cologne. You will be smelling gin and botanicals closely, and heavy fragrance can make it harder for you and others to notice the aromas. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, and non-alcoholic drinks include water and soft drinks.

The activity is conducted in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Aberdeen plans are still taking shape.

Who will enjoy the Gin School most?

I would recommend this to anyone who likes tasting, making, and comparing drinks. It suits couples particularly well because you can build separate flavor ideas and see how different your finished bottles become. It also works for birthdays and gifts, especially when the recipient enjoys gin but does not already own every style in the shop.

Beginners should feel comfortable. You do not need to know the difference between London Dry and fruit gin before arriving. The tasting and advice from Alan and Dan provide the starting point.

Gin enthusiasts may enjoy the freedom to work with a large botanical selection, though advanced distillers should keep expectations realistic. This is an approachable introduction, not a specialist course in commercial distilling.

I would be cautious about booking it for someone who does not drink alcohol. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available, but the central activity involves tasting spirits, building a gin recipe, and taking home a bottle. People who dislike sensory experimentation may also find the botanical choices a little overwhelming.

Should you book this Aberdeen gin class?

Book it if you want a social, hands-on afternoon with a bottle you can genuinely call your own. The strongest parts are the generous tastings, the personal help from Alan and Dan, and the chance to shape the final recipe instead of simply buying a finished gin.

Skip it if you want a low-cost tour, a short tasting with minimal alcohol, or a detailed technical distilling course. At $190, the class needs to feel like an occasion. For a gin fan, a couple celebrating, or someone looking for a distinctive Aberdeen gift, it offers enough personal involvement to make the price worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Gin School Experience last?

The experience lasts two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $190 per person.

What do I take home?

You take home one 70cl bottle of Scottish gin made to your own recipe.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes a double G&T on arrival, samples of Aberdeen Gin, alcoholic drinks throughout, Prosecco, and a berry cocktail. Water and soft drinks are also available.

Where is the meeting point?

Enter railway Arch #10. The arch number is displayed above the doorway.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Bring a passport or ID card.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The distillery is on one level, has a nearby dropped curb, and includes a wheelchair-accessible toilet. The gin-making bench can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but places for this setup are limited.

Can I cancel my booking?

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

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not permitted inside the distillery, except for guide dogs.