Not your mum’s G&T: Inside the distillery everyone’s talking about

Edinburgh Gin has been a staple behind many bars and on shelves since they were born in 2010. They have expanded into a newly renovated Leith Arches facility with experiences, tastings, and a gorgeous bar. We got a chance to visit, taste and experience and here is what we thought…

They welcomed us to their opening party to celebrate settling into their new venue and early success. Since they opened in December 2024, they have garnered excellent reviews, with over 3000 on Trip Advisor rating them at 4.9. After our evening, we can see why. With experiences starting at £28, for a luxury experience, this trip is worth every penny.

A classic cocktail and a great view

We started the evening by learning a little about the history of gin and Edinburgh. I know some people, myself included, who would be very happy if a G&T could still be considered medicine.

We then moved to their distillery, full of interactive displays of their various gins and flavour profiles. Staff explained how many different components go into gin to create the delicate tastes that we have grown to know and love. The colour coordination was super aesthetic and guided your eyes through all the information and research.

Colour scheme to die for

The staff were charismatic and confident, explaining the distillation process and introducing their bespoke stills. Annie and Lina are two of their stills, named after two of the first female gardeners to work at Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh in 1897. Their third still, Matilda, is named after the head distiller’s beloved dog—all valuable influences.

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After the tour, we headed upstairs to the bar, which overlooks the stills, and enjoyed a gorgeous view of New Town. Upstairs is also home to several rooms designed for their gin experiences. They host gin making, cocktail classes, and, of course, classic tastings. We got to experience tasting and learning about the various components that go into their gins. Who knew rhubarb would be such an essential part of Edinburgh’s history?

Shout to Dr James Mounsey for stealing rhubarb for Scotland

The new facility is custom-renovated and reflects their sustainable approach to gin making. They use 100% renewable electricity to power the distillery. This adds to their sustainable packaging, which includes recycled glass and recyclable labels. We love an eco-friendly opportunity to have a drink.

Later, we took part in a test to see if we could taste the difference between their newest distilling techniques and their older methods. Spoiler alert: Despite our best student taste buds, we couldn’t.

We ended our evening on their rooftop terrace, where we toasted the new opening. Despite the chilly weather, the skyline and booze kept us warm.

Edi skyline goals

The new distillery represents a sustainable, responsible and creative approach to their brand and gin making. Despite gin being a long-standing fave of mothers everywhere, Edinburgh Gin will now be a staple on our night out.

The reviews speak for themselves. If you want to impress, a trip for a special someone, a parent, or a girls’ night is a brilliant choice!