Gin distilleries in Edinburgh are quickly becoming one of the city’s most popular attractions, offering a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s vibrant gin-making scene.
Known for its history in whisky production, the Scottish capital has more recently become a hub for gin lovers, with a growing number of artisanal distilleries producing everything from classic dry gins to experimental botanical blends.
For anyone interested in this versatile spirit, visiting one of Edinburgh’s gin distilleries offers a fascinating experience that demonstrates the combination of traditional practices and modern approaches.
This page explores some of the most popular gin distilleries in Edinburgh, each contributing to the city’s gin story.
For those seeking the best gin tasting experiences in Edinburgh, many of these distilleries offer engaging tours and tasting flights that showcase the flavours and production methods of their spirits.
Secret Garden: Edinburgh gin distillery
The Secret Garden Distillery, previously known as the Old Curiosity Distillery and established in 2017, offers a distinctive experience among gin distilleries in Edinburgh.
Located less than five miles from the Old Town, on the edge of the Pentland Hills, this distillery stands out for its commitment to hand-harvested natural botanicals used in their gin production.
botanical gardens: ingredients for their Edinburgh-produced gin
A key feature setting it apart from other Edinburgh’s gin distilleries is its extensive botanical gardens.
Here, the natural ingredients that flavour their locally produced gin are carefully cultivated and hand-harvested.
This special place is home to over 600 varieties of sustainably grown plants, flowers, and edible medicinal herbs, all nurtured in a chemical-free environment.
Co-founders Hamish Martin, a herbologist, and his wife Liberty envisioned creating a green space where visitors could freely explore and connect with nature.
It’s a philosophy that underpins their approach to crafting their gin in Edinburgh.
So, if you’re a gin lover or a gardener, the Secret Garden is a wonderful place to visit. But if you happened to be a gin-loving gardener, this wonderful oasis of tranquillity is perfect.
Secret Garden: Gin tours and tastings
The Secret Garden Distillery offers two main tour experiences: the Discovery Experience and the Alchemy Experience.
The Discovery Experience takes visitors on a journey through the history of gin making in Edinburgh, teaching them about the botanicals used in their award-winning gins, and revealing the secrets of their distilling process.
This tour includes a guided tasting session where participants can experience the full spectrum of flavours that the handcrafted gins offer.
Visitors will learn about the botanicals that go into the gins, visit the newly-built on-site drying room and glasshouse, before tasting the four core gins in the refurbished tasting room.
Would you like to find out more about the Secret Garden or book one of their gin tours and tastings?
For the most up-to-date details, please visit the official site by clicking the button below for more information.
Pickering’s Gin Distillery
Pickering’s Gin Distillery, located at Summerhall has an important place in Edinburgh’s gin history.
When it opened in 2014, it proudly announced itself as the first gin distillery to be established in Edinburgh for over 150 years, marking a revival of the city’s distilling heritage.
The distillery is situated within the former Edinburgh University Veterinary School, a location fondly remembered as the Dick Vet.
Pickering’s Gin is crafted using an original Bombay recipe dating back to the era of the British Raj.
While the historic recipe featured spices and fresh citrus, the modern creation incorporates a carefully selected and different range of botanicals to create its distinct flavour profile.
Pickering’s Distillery Gin tours and tastings
Pickering’s Gin offers engaging tours designed to immerse visitors in their gin-making process.
The popular Gin Jolly distillery tour begins at the Royal Dick Bar, Summerhall’s in-house bar, with a welcoming gin and tonic.
These tours provide insights into its history, the botanicals used in their gins, and their distillation methods. The tour concludes with a tutored tasting of their current range.
For a more in-depth exploration, Pickering’s also offers the Gin Chronicles Tour.
These extended experiences delve deeper into the story of Pickering’s Gin and provide a more comprehensive tasting of their various expressions, often including limited editions or special releases.
Like the Gin Jolly, the Chronicles tour also starts at the Royal Dick Bar, offering a relaxed start to a detailed gin adventure.
Other gin tours, tastings and masterclasses are also available.
Would you like to find out more about Pickering’s Gin or book one of their gin tours and tastings? For the most up-to-date details please visit the official site by clicking the button below for more information.
Rutland Square Gin
Rutland Square Gin has a unique origin story, initially distilled at Edinburgh’s Summerhall Distillery.
However, production has since moved to their own distillery in Roslin, situated just a few miles south of Edinburgh, and not far from the historic Rosslyn Chapel.
If you’re looking for a gin with a distinctive character, Rutland Square Chai Spiced Gin is certainly worth exploring. Its creation is deeply rooted in the founders’ Indian heritage.
The name “Rutland Square” itself comes from the address of the Indian consulate in Edinburgh.
This gin offers a remarkable fusion of eastern and western flavours, achieved through a carefully curated blend of 13 ethically sourced botanicals.
While it features familiar gin ingredients such as lemon peel, cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise, it also incorporates temptingly different elements.
These include the exotic cubeb pepper, sourced from Java and Sumatra, and angelica root.
Those with a keen interest in botanicals will particularly enjoy the inclusion of earthy organic vetiver and a delicate Oolong white tea infusion.
Together they form the heart of the gin, adding intriguing layers and a soft floral note to the spirit.
Experiences and tours: Currently, Rutland Square Gin does not appear to offer public tours or tasting experiences.
- For the most up-to-date information on any potential future offerings, please visit the Rutland Square official website.
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery
Edinburgh Gin, owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers, has recently relocated its main distillery operations. Their former distillery in the West End of the city closed in January 2024.
A new Edinburgh Gin Distillery opened in December 2024 at The Arches, East Market Street, marking a new chapter for this well-known brand.
Established in 2010, with a classic London Dry Gin, Edinburgh Gin is committed to using only natural ingredients in its production.
They offer a diverse range of spirits, including traditional London Dry Gins, a wide variety of flavoured gins, and several gin liqueurs.
Gin Flavours:
Edinburgh Gin boasts an extensive selection of flavours, some popular examples include:
- Raspberry
- Gooseberry & Elderflower
- Rhubarb & Ginger
- Bramble and Honey
- Lemon & Jasmine
The distillery is home to their stills, affectionately named “Caledonia” and “Flora,” which are situated within their on-site bar at The Arches.
Tours, Tastings, and Experiences:
The company offers a range of engaging gin tours, tastings, and experiences at their new East Market Street location.
These provide opportunities to learn about their gin-making process and sample their diverse product line. It’s best to book these experiences online in advance via their official website.
Retail Shop:
For those who wish to purchase their favourite Edinburgh Gin flavours, the company operates a retail shop located on Hanover Street in Edinburgh city centre, offering a wide selection of their gins and related merchandise.
Would you like to find out more about Edinburgh Gin or book one of their gin tours and tastings? For the most up-to-date details, please visit the official site by clicking the button below for more information.
Holyrood Distillery
Holyrood Distillery which opened in the summer of 2019 is both a Scotch Whisky distillery and a gin distillery. It’s the best of both worlds.
The business describes its setting. “Over three floors in a listed heritage building, our brand home includes a pilot still room where we make our gin and other innovations and experimentations.“ Doesn’t that sound intriguing?
Holyrood Distillery whisky & gin Tour
A distinctive offering at Holyrood Distillery is their combined Gin & Whisky Distillery Tour.
This experience provides a unique opportunity to witness the contrasting yet complementary processes involved in crafting both spirits under one roof.
Visitors are guided through the distillery, learning about the ingredients, fermentation, distillation, and maturation stages for both gin and whisky.
The tour cleverly highlights the common ground and the key differences in their production, offering a broader understanding of Scotland’s distilling heritage.
The experience culminates in a tasting flight, allowing guests to sample either Holyrood’s signature Height of Arrows Gin or one of their new-make whiskies, providing a direct comparison of their distinct character.
Would you like to find out more about Holyrood Gin or book one of their combined whisky and gin tours and tastings?
For the most up-to-date details please visit the official site by clicking the button below for more information.
Lind and Lime, Edinburgh gin distillery
The Lind & Lime Distillery is part of Muckle Brig Ltd, a wine and spirits producer and distributor based in Leith, Edinburgh.
Also under the Muckle Brig umbrella is the Port of Leith Distillery, a new whisky distillery that opened in October 2023.
Lind & Lime Gin: a tribute to history and flavour
Lind & Lime is a classic London Dry Gin with a compelling backstory. The name is a deliberate nod to James Lind, an importantfigure born in Edinburgh in the early 18th century.
Trained as a doctor at the University of Edinburgh, Lind served as a surgeon on HMS Salisbury. His pioneering clinical trials led to the groundbreaking discovery of the beneficial effects of citrus fruits in treating scurvy.
This Edinburgh gin cleverly intertwines this historical connection with its flavour profile.
Lind & Lime Gin features a carefully balanced combination of lime, pink peppercorns, and other select botanicals, creating a distinct and refreshing character.
Lind & Lime Distillery tours and experiences
The Lind & Lime Distillery offers engaging gin tours and tasting experiences. These provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the origins of the spirit.
learn about the distillation process, and even participate in filling and labelling your own bottle of Lind & Lime.
You can find more details about their tours and the story behind the gin on the official Lind & Lime website.
Visit the official site by clicking the button below for the most up to date information.
South Loch Distillery at 56 North Gin experiences
A visit to South Loch Distillery offers an unusual experience as it is situated within 56 North, Scotland’s oldest gin bar, located in Edinburgh city centre, approximately a 10-minute walk from the New Town.
Rather than traditional tours, the distillery and bar provide a range of engaging gin experiences.
These include informative gin tasting sessions, hands-on cocktail making classes, and in-depth masterclasses.
For those looking for a sensory pairing experience, South Loch also offers sessions that combine their gins with carefully selected cheeses and chocolates.
Visitors to 56 North can view South Loch’s copper stills directly within the bar setting, offering a fascinating glimpse into the gin-making process in an urban environment.
Visit the official South Loch Distillery website by clicking the button below for the most up to date information.
A note on London Dry Gin
Importantly it does not have to be made in London to qualify as a London Dry Gin.
The term should be regarded as a style rather than a legal definition. There is of course some superb London Gin produced in London.