The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches — Local services in City of Edinburgh

I am a whiskey and craft beer drinker (mainly) who typed in distillery near my hotel. When I typed it in, the best search led me to Edinburgh Gin Distillery, and though I don’t (didn’t) know much about gin, the tour and tasting options led me to book a tour about an hour ahead of time.

What a success! Despite the late booking, my name was on the list and I was greeted kindly by the hostess. Our tasting not only provided five different gins to consume, but our tour guide Natasha was terrific in explaining the company’s background and doing so in a fun, humorous, and congenial manner. Learning about the history of not only the Edinburgh Gin Distillery but also gin in general (actually came from the Dutch), I have a new sense (and palette) of appreciation for a different type of spirit. Scotland actually accounts for 80 percent of gin making in the UK and Edinburgh Distillery has earned gold accolades for their products.

There were five tastings – four of their gins and one of their liqueurs. Add to that the different ways to furnish the drink with different citruses and tonic waters and you basically had 11 types of drinks to try. Plus, there is a small shop to purchase what you tried as well as a 10 percent discount available for a three-day period after the tour. The current distillery (2023 and before) is small but allows for comfortability; the pre-event room is cozy and decorative, and the tasting is held in a small area accommodating about 10-12 people (plus any staff). However, the company is expanding and moving in 2024; what they have done since their inception is incredible and is what is leading to a new space.

If you want to experience the currently distillery through 2023, it may be difficult to find, so look for Taco Libre location on Princes Street, then look toward the north. The location is in the basement but there aren’t many stairs.

Cheers to Edinburgh...

Easy to miss if you get there before they open, Edinburgh Gin is located down the steps on the northern side of Kylo. Once open, there are a-boards and other signs advertising their presence.

I attended for the 10am tour and gin tasting and made my way downstairs. Doubling up as the Heads and Tales gin bar of an evening, the decor feels reminiscent of a 'speak-easy' with plenty of moody lighting, leather seating, and vintage nik-naks.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, the four other people that were supposed to be on the tour cancelled at the last minute so I got the full attention of the guide. First up was a potted history of gin, from it's origins in Holland based on jenever and being brought back by Scottish soldiers, to the minimum ingredients to be classed as gin; from the rise and fall, and rise again of gin, to why gin is usually distilled by whisky distilleries.

Once that was out of the way, I got my personal tour of the two stills - both of which were being cleaned - where it was clear to see why Edinburgh Gin is classed as a "small batch" distillery, as both stills are on the diminutive side.

Tour over, I got to pick one of the Edinburgh Gins for tasting, and I picked the Seaside one. This was paired with the Mediterranean tonic water from Fevertree with a slice of lime and some lavender. My drink was brought to me in my cosy booth where I was able to relax and enjoy my new-found favourite tipple.

Small and perfectly formed, and worth the £10 for the...

What an experience! We had some time to spare on our Tuesday in Edinburgh, and stumbled upon this place. We are so glad we did because it was excellent!

We were greeted as we walked in and were able to see our tour options straight away. We opted for the gin and chocolate pairing and it was the best decision we’ve made here.

Holly was our tour guide and she was bubbly, knowledgable and overall fantastic. The tour itself was excellent, learning the history and process of Edinburgh Gin, involving all the senses. We were able to delve into the process of how it is made and understand the flavours they incorporate.

We then moved to the star of the show - the tasting and pairing portion! Everything was so well thought out and we were surprised with the pairings and flavours we enjoyed the most. There was a wide variety of flavours, each bringing something unique to the experience. It felt well timed, with Holly guiding us through each step of the way. We were encouraged to try the gin in multiple variations, alongside the chocolate and it truly made for a wonderful experience.

We would absolutely recommend this for anyone who is a gin lover, or someone who might want to learn more about it. My husband and I are fans of gin, but have come out with a renewed love for the spirit. An absolute must in Edinburgh, very well worth the money!

Thank you for a wonderful experience. I would give 6...