Distill a Bottle of Rum on mini copper stills

The best part of this Edinburgh experience is simple: you do not just taste rum, you make a bottle of your own. In a cosy micro-distillery room beneath the Cumberland Bar, you choose up to 10 botanicals, run your recipe through a small copper still, then leave with a named and wax-sealed 500ml bottle.

I like the small-group format, capped at three people, and the easygoing teaching from hosts such as Gary and Neil. I also like that the class gives you time to smell fruits, herbs, and spices before choosing a recipe, rather than tossing random ingredients into a still and hoping for the best.

The main consideration is the price, around $123.40 per person, and the three-hour commitment. This is good value if you want a hands-on activity and a personal bottle to take home, but less so if you only want a quick tasting.

Key points at a glance

• Make your own 500ml bottle: Your rum is distilled in an individual mini copper still, then bottled, labelled, named, and sealed with wax.
• Choose up to 10 botanicals: Build a personal recipe from fruits, herbs, spices, and other available flavorings.
• Small group of no more than three: The format gives you plenty of time to ask questions and get help with your recipe.
• Includes tastings and cocktails: You begin with a rum and mixer, sample three rums, and enjoy a cocktail while your rum is distilling.
• Hosts Gary and Neil: Both are described as friendly, engaging teachers who explain rum, gin, ingredients, and the distilling process in plain terms.
• Central Edinburgh meeting point: Meet at the Cumberland Bar at noon, with the experience ending back at the same point.

A personal rum workshop beneath an Edinburgh pub

Your afternoon begins at 12:00 pm at the Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland Street, in Edinburgh’s New Town. The actual class takes place in a bespoke micro-distillery room connected with Sip Antics, described as a cosy room beneath an old-fashioned pub.

That setting matters. You are not touring a large commercial distillery with a fixed production line. You are sitting close to the equipment, ingredients, and host, with the feel of a private workshop. The room is intended for conversation and participation, not for standing behind a barrier while someone else does the work.

You receive a rum and mixer on arrival, giving you time to settle in before the practical part begins. The host runs through the plan for the session, which helps set expectations for an activity that lasts about three hours.

The group size is a real advantage. With no more than three people, you can ask basic questions without feeling in the way. That is useful if you are new to distilling, rum, or flavor matching. Gary is praised for putting people at ease and explaining the process in detail, while Neil is described as an enthusiastic host who keeps the session personal.

Three rum tastings before you make your recipe

The tasting begins with three different rum samples. This is more useful than it may sound. Before choosing botanicals, you get a chance to compare different rum styles and think about the flavors you actually enjoy.

The point is not to turn you into a professional rum taster in one afternoon. It is to give you a starting point. You can pay attention to sweetness, spice, fruit, warmth, and the general character of each sample before designing your bottle.

The hosts also explain rum, gin, flavor profiles, and the ingredients used in drinks. You can ask about fruits, herbs, and spices, including simple questions that might otherwise go unanswered in a more formal class.

You should pace yourself. The welcome drink, three samples, later cocktail, and final tasting add up over several hours. This is a boozy afternoon, not a short museum visit with one polite sip.

Choosing up to 10 botanicals for a custom flavor

This is the most creative part of the class. You smell and consider the available ingredients, then select up to 10 botanicals for your rum. The ingredients can include fruit, herbs, spices, and other flavoring elements available in the room.

You do not need to arrive with a finished recipe. That is one of the class’s strengths. The host can help you think through combinations and point out ingredients that work well together. Gary is described as having a fine nose for matching flavors, which is useful when you are faced with a wide range of choices.

There is also room for a theme. One pair made a Christmas rum, while another couple created a Christmas gin during a related session. That gives you an idea of how personal the final bottle can be. You might choose warm seasonal notes, a fruit-led mixture, or a recipe built around herbs and spices.

Still, do not assume every combination will be perfect. Ten ingredients is a maximum, not a target. A smaller group of flavors may suit you better than trying to include everything that smells appealing. Listen to the host, but make the final choice your own.

Using an individual mini copper still

Once you have chosen your recipe, you use your own mini copper still. The personal equipment is what changes this from a tasting into a hands-on class. You are involved in the production rather than simply watching a demonstration.

The host guides you through the process and answers questions as the still does its work. This is a good point to ask about how flavor moves from the botanicals into the finished spirit, or why one ingredient might work better than another.

The activity is designed for beginners. You are not expected to understand distilling before you arrive, and the class outline gives you a clear path through the session. The hosts are there to explain what is happening and help you feel comfortable using the equipment.

The supplied information does not describe the exact heating method, technical proof range, or how long the still operates. You should therefore treat this as an introduction to the craft, not a professional distilling qualification.

A cocktail while the rum is distilling

You are not left watching the still for three hours. While your rum is distilling, you enjoy a cocktail and continue talking with the host and the rest of the group.

This pause gives the class a social rhythm. You have already tasted three rums and chosen your ingredients, so the cocktail becomes part of the afternoon rather than a separate stop. The setting also makes this a good option for a birthday treat, a gift, or a relaxed activity with a friend.

The class can be fun even if your main interest is not technical. The atmosphere is described as relaxed and friendly, with hosts who use humor and encourage questions. Gary’s Irish charm is part of the experience, according to the supplied comments, while Neil is noted for going out of his way to look after the group.

The practical warning is the obvious one: plan for alcohol. The class includes several drinks, and you should not schedule it as a quick pre-dinner stop if you want to take your time.

Tasting, proofing, bottling, and the wax seal

When your rum has been distilled, you taste the result before bottling. This is a satisfying checkpoint because you can compare the finished spirit with the ingredients and samples from earlier in the afternoon.

The rum is measured for proof before it is bottled. The details provided do not specify the final alcohol percentage, so you should not expect a particular strength in advance. The important point is that the bottle is checked and prepared before you take it away.

You then bottle 500ml, or 50cl, of your custom rum. You label it, give it a name, and finish it with a wax seal. That final touch makes the bottle feel like a proper keepsake instead of a sample poured into a plain container.

I like this part for practical reasons as well as sentimental ones. A named bottle is easy to identify at home, and the custom label gives the experience a clear personal finish. It can also make the class work well as a present, especially if you attend with the person who gave you the voucher.

You may be tempted to open the bottle the moment you get home. The host encourages letting it sit for a few weeks before drinking it, which gives you something to look forward to after the trip. The timing is not presented as a strict requirement, so treat it as useful advice rather than a formal aging program.

What the $123.40 price really includes

At around $123.40 per person, this is not a cheap bar tasting. The value comes from the amount of activity included in the session.

You receive a welcome rum and mixer, three tasting samples, a cocktail, instruction, access to your own mini copper still, and a 500ml bottle of finished rum to take home. You also get the recipe-building process, bottling, labelling, naming, and wax sealing.

If you compare it with a standard tasting, the price is high. A tasting usually gives you several samples and some background, while this experience adds a practical workshop and a take-home product.

If you compare it with a private activity, the price makes more sense. The group is limited to three, and you have direct time with the host rather than sharing a large room with a crowd. You are paying for personal attention as much as for the alcohol.

Book this for the experience, not just the bottle. The final rum is a fun souvenir, but the value is in making decisions, learning how flavors fit together, and seeing your own recipe turn into a finished drink.

It is often booked about 41 days ahead, so leave room in your Edinburgh planning. If your dates are fixed, booking early is sensible.

Who will enjoy this Edinburgh rum class?

This is a strong choice for someone who already likes rum and wants to understand it better. The three tastings give you a useful comparison, while the botanical selection lets you build something beyond a standard pour.

It also suits curious beginners. You do not need prior distilling experience, and the hosts are used to answering basic questions. If you are interested in herbs, spices, cocktails, or flavor matching, you will find plenty to keep you involved.

It works particularly well for:

• A birthday gift or special treat
• Two friends who want a shared activity
• A couple looking for a relaxed afternoon indoors
• A small group of rum fans
• Someone interested in starting a future home hobby
• Visitors who prefer local workshops to sightseeing from a bus

It may not suit you if you dislike strong drinks, want a fast activity, or prefer a large social group. The small size is a benefit for some people, but it means the experience is intimate and focused rather than lively and crowded.

The related gin option may also appeal if your interests go beyond rum. One person who enjoyed the rum class planned to return for the gin experience, but the activity covered here is specifically the rum session.

Timing, meeting point, and useful planning details

You meet at the Cumberland Bar at 12:00 pm. The experience lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point.

The location is near public transportation, and a mobile ticket is accepted. The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and you should tell the provider about any allergies before attending.

The information provided does not give a detailed mobility description for the basement distillery room. If stairs or basement access could be an issue, ask Sip Antics before booking rather than assuming the room is fully step-free.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses Edinburgh local time.

Should you book this experience?

Book it if you want more than a rum flight. The strongest features are the tiny group, the personal guidance from hosts such as Gary and Neil, the freedom to choose up to 10 botanicals, and the 500ml bottle you create and seal yourself.

The price is easier to justify for a birthday, gift, or special afternoon than for a casual add-on to a busy sightseeing day. Give yourself the full three hours, and remember that the welcome drink, tastings, cocktail, and final sip make this a substantial drinking session.

For rum fans, this is a thoughtful and practical Edinburgh activity. For everyone else, it is best booked because you like the idea of making a personal bottle, not simply because it is another attraction near the city center.

FAQ

Where does the rum-making experience start?

Meet at the Cumberland Bar, 1-3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK.

What time does the experience begin?

The start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the activity last?

The session lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of three travelers.

What do I take home?

You take home a 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of rum that you have distilled, bottled, labelled, named, and wax-sealed.

How many botanicals can I choose?

You can choose up to 10 botanicals for your custom rum recipe.

Is food or drink included?

You receive a rum and mixer on arrival, taste three different rums, and enjoy a cocktail while your rum is distilling.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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