Hensol Castle Distillery — Attraction in Pendoylan

Previously left a 5 star review following a tour with Andrew last year but we returned this weekend to attend the monthly cocktail masterclass, which was a wedding present and we were a bit disappointed. The session was billed to start at 6pm however due to the previous tour/session overrunning we were hanging around (the person running the masterclass did attempt to chat to us and tell us some facts but it felt a bit awkward). When we went through to the bar the session got started around 20 mins late, it was slightly chaotic as they explained that basically we would take it turns to come up to the bar. One of my main issues was it was advertised as being run by a mixologist however the person we worked with was clearly just reading off the recipe card and kept handing us the wrong ingredients because he was busy/ juggling a lot at once (serving other customers who wanted to purchase drinks / bottles of gin). I didn’t learn any particular tips or tricks about cocktail making and at the end of session it was incredibly awkward when the main member of staff was quite rude to another party (mum & daughter not doing any harm) denying them a chance to buy a gin and tonic even though they had to wait till last to make their cocktail because ‘he doesn’t get paid after 9pm and he needs 45 mins to clean down and lock up’. I thought this was a bit mean spirited considering the session started late, we sat there in awkward silence for 15 mins waiting for the Vale hotel shuttle to come and collect us. All in all we made the best of it, enjoyed some nice drinks and bought a bottle of our favourite blackberry gin. In my opinion Hensol Castle should either get an external company in to run this session or stop bothering because the staff didn’t seem to really want to run it or particularly have the skills to do it justice. I have heard great things about Gin School which may be an entirely...

Went on the distillery tour yesterday with a group headed up by Andrew. Started off with brief introduction of the history of gin, whilst sipping (quickly as was so nice) a splendid raspberry gin and lemonade with a strawberry fruit.

Had a delightful explanation of why gin is called mothers ruin and a outline of the Hensol alcohol background and estate. Was good to see how it all came together and how it all worked, and the production line.

Went through to the ‘gin school’ whereby i had the chance of making my own gin and came up with the “berry good” easter gin. (With a bonus from Andrew 😉) Learnt all about how it was made and the processes undertaken and how we managed to make our own gins including bottling up and measuring alcohol content. Came out at a standard 40% abv. Was hoping to hit nearer a 60% but all in all, more than a successful result. A sweet fruity gin with a hint of tang afterwards. With these skills i should probably be making my own!

Anyway…. the conclusion, taken through to the bar area where a further gin awaited and a wind down to a good few hours well worth the cost.

A big shout out to Andrew (and his team) - made a cracking tour guide - very knowledgeable and came with his own brand of humour and experience. Had a great day which in all honesty flew by. Would recommend it wholeheartedly. Well worth the money and would recommend making your own...

Shaken, Stirred, and Sublime: Gin-Making at Hensol Castle From castle walls steeped in history to gleaming copper stills, our gin-making experience at Hensol Castle was ace from start to finish. The session was led by the warm and friendly Peter, whose passion for gin, history and James Bond made for a genial evening. With a twinkle in his eye and encyclopedic knowledge of botanicals and Bond trivia alike, Peter guided us through every stage of the distillation process—letting us smell, touch, and blend the ingredients that would become our very own personalized gin. The hands-on aspect was incredibly immersive: selecting botanicals, adjusting proportions, and watching the still bubble away while sipping gin samples. Speaking of which—the bar staff were superb too. Welcoming, generous and genuinely invested, they made us feel at home throughout the entire process. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or just curious about the craft, this is a recommended afternoon. We left with a bottle of our custom creation, big smiles, and a newfound appreciation for the art of distillation—all thanks to the generous spirit of Peter and the wonderful team behind the bar. Why not pair it with a late lunch overlooking the golf course at The Vale hotel, a leafy ten minutes walk away? That’s what we did! Bond might prefer his martinis shaken, but at Hensol Castle, gin is made and memories...