Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen

What makes the Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen interesting is how hands-on it feels for something centered on something as simple as a drink. You start with a double G&T, then move through single distillates and finish by blending and tasting your way through a few different Aberdeen Gin styles.

I especially like that it is guided by the team at City of Aberdeen Distillery and Gin School, with Dan and Alan running the session alongside the head distiller. You get a real chance to ask questions while you sip, and you are not stuck passively listening.

One consideration: this is an alcohol-forward experience, so it helps to pace yourself and think about how much you want to drink over roughly 2 hours. It also depends on good weather, so a change in plans is possible.

Key things to know before you go

• Head distiller-led guidance that turns tasting into a skill, not just a sip-and-smile event
• Single distillate training, built around recognizing botanical flavors step by step
• Mixologist time, where you blend distillates to make your own glass
• A mystery botanical challenge, designed to test what you picked up along the way
• Aberdeen Gin samples served directly from beautiful French glass demi-johns
• Small group format, with a maximum of 20 people, so questions are actually doable

Why a head distiller-led gin class works in Aberdeen

A lot of gin tastings are basically a tasting flight plus a sales pitch. This one feels different because it treats flavor like something you can learn and repeat. You do not just taste gin, you train your palate to notice components that often get lost when you only focus on the final drink.

You start with a double G&T, so the vibe is friendly and celebratory from minute one. But then it quickly gets educational in a practical way. The session moves through single distillates and the botanical building blocks that go into traditional London Dry style gin.

And that matters because it gives you a way to shop and taste later. After a class like this, you are more likely to say, I know why this gin tastes the way it does, instead of just guessing based on sweetness or how strong it feels. That is the real value.

Getting started at City of Aberdeen Distillery at 2:00 pm

The meeting point is City of Aberdeen Distillery, Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, and the session starts at 2:00 pm. The experience runs about 2 hours and ends back at the meeting point, so it is easy to build into an afternoon plan.

This also helps if you are doing other Aberdeen activities the same day. Two hours is long enough to learn and taste properly, but short enough that you are not committing your entire day. It is also offered in English, and you get a confirmation at booking time.

If you are relying on public transit, the venue is described as near public transportation. You can show up without needing a car, and that makes the experience feel more city-friendly than some rural distillery tours.

The first pour: double G&T, then a guided flight of single distillates

The class begins with a G&T on arrival, specifically a double G&T to get you settled. Then the session shifts into guided tasting of a range of single distillates. The point is not to memorize labels. It is to notice what each botanical component contributes to aroma and flavor.

In plain terms, you are learning how to taste in layers. Gin can feel like one flavor wave, but it is really a stack of botanicals. When you taste single distillates, that stack comes apart. Juniper is the star that many people think about first, but the goal is to help you identify how other botanicals show up too.

You will also have time to ask questions while you are sipping. That matters more than people expect. If you always wondered what something tastes like, or why two gins with similar ABV can taste so different, you can ask right there while the flavor is still fresh in your mind.

Training your palate for London Dry style botanicals

A key part of the masterclass is the way it connects traditional London Dry gin structure to what is actually in the glass. Each botanical found in a London Dry gin has been individually distilled, so you can train your palate to recognize distinct flavors that later come together in a finished gin.

Why I think this is smart: London Dry can sound like a marketing term. In practice, it is a style framework. When you learn the botanical parts separately, you get a clearer mental map of what makes London Dry taste like it does.

You are basically building a tasting vocabulary. You start noticing things like how certain botanicals feel dry or bright, how some read more floral, and how others bring spice-like notes. The session makes this less abstract by treating each sample as a clue.

So if you have ever struggled with questions like, Why does this gin taste sharper than that one, you are getting an answer type approach. Not just an answer.

Mixologist time: blend distillates and create your own gin glass

After you sample the single distillates, the masterclass hands you the tools to play. Next, you become a mixologist and blend those distillates together to create your own glass of gin.

This is where the learning becomes sticky. When you choose the mix, you start to understand cause and effect. You taste, adjust, taste again. That is how people actually learn flavor, not by hearing about it once.

You also get a bit of friendly pressure, in the good way. The class includes a challenge with a mystery botanical served as a single distillate. Based on the flavor, you guess what botanical it might be.

Even if you miss the answer, you still learn something. The process teaches you to trust your palate more. You stop defaulting to guesswork based on what you think gin is supposed to taste like, and start using your senses in a more confident way.

Sampling Aberdeen Gin from French demi-johns: London Dry and fruit styles

Once you have done the botanical work and blending practice, the class turns toward the real-world result: Aberdeen Gin. You enjoy samples from the range, served directly from French glass demi-johns.

The session includes both London Dry and Fruit Gins, so you taste the range rather than locking into one style. This balance is great for two reasons.

First, it helps you see how botanical training transfers. The skills you use for single distillates still help, even when the gin becomes more fruity or rounded.

Second, it helps you decide what you actually like. People often think they only like one style, then discover they prefer the fruit category, or they realize a dry gin is exactly what they want in a G&T. The tasting format makes those decisions feel grounded, not impulsive.

There is also a practical side. One of the best takeaways from the experience is how much you can use it when choosing what to buy after. You will likely understand the differences better and pick bottles with more confidence.

Final G&T, then Q&A: ask the gin questions you keep postponing

To end, you choose your preferred gin from the range and sip a final G&T as the event concludes. Then comes a Q&A session, which is where the experience turns from tasting into real-world guidance.

This part is valuable because people rarely ask these questions anywhere else. You can ask things like how long gin can be kept, what to look for when purchasing gin, whether London Dry gin is actually all from London, and even whether you can make your own gin at home.

The fact that you get time for these questions while you are already tasting is the sweet spot. You are not asking in the abstract. Your answers connect to what you just tasted.

If you like to learn by asking direct questions, this session format fits you well. If you are shy, you can still listen and watch other questions get answered, and you might pick up tips you did not realize you needed.

Price and value: what $108.71 gets you in a 2-hour format

At $108.71 per person, you are paying for instruction plus multiple pours and tastings. The value comes from the structure: you are not just drinking, you are training your palate with a guided progression from single distillates to blended gin, then to branded Aberdeen Gin samples.

You also get a small-group setting, with a maximum of 20 people. That usually means you are not fighting for attention. You can ask questions, get explanations that make sense, and keep up with the tasting.

The other value piece is what you might do with the knowledge afterward. A good gin class should help you buy smarter. If you can identify why one gin tastes the way it does, you waste less money on bottles that do not match your taste. This masterclass is built to improve that kind of decision-making.

One extra point that helped in the experience: the option to purchase items for longer-distance travel. If you plan to bring something home, it is nice when the event makes buying feel easy and practical, not complicated.

Who should book this Aberdeen gin tasting masterclass

This is a strong fit if you like hands-on learning. You get to taste single distillates, blend your own gin, and guess a mystery botanical. That makes it more engaging than a purely guided tour.

It is also a great match for groups of friends who want something shared that is not just dinner or a pub crawl. The session format supports conversation. People chat, laugh, and settle into the experience because the pacing is built around tasting moments.

If you are coming as a solo traveler, you can still enjoy it. A group of up to 20 with active discussion time tends to be easier for solo visitors than silent museum-style tours.

If you are brand new to gin, this works too. The whole approach assumes you want to learn. You start with simple tasting experiences and build from there.

If you hate the idea of alcohol-based activities, this will not feel right. The whole experience is centered on gin and G&T service throughout, so your comfort level matters.

Should you book the Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen?

I would book it if you want a fun Aberdeen afternoon with real learning built in. The combination of a head distiller-led approach, the step-by-step botanical training, and the chance to blend your own gin gives you more value than a typical tasting flight.

I would think twice if you are very sensitive to alcohol or you prefer non-drinking experiences. The session clearly includes drinks from start to finish, and you will be sampling along the way.

If your goal is to come home with better tasting skills and more confident bottle choices, this masterclass is one of the better ways to do it in Aberdeen.

FAQ

How long is the Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen?

The masterclass lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the experience start?

It starts at City of Aberdeen Distillery, Arch 10 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen AB11 5RE, UK, and ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the class begin?

The start time listed is 2:00 pm.

Is the masterclass offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the group size?

The experience has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What should I know if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.