Distillery Masterclass – 8 Scottish gins paired with cheeses

Eight gins, eight cheeses, and a working distillery make this Edinburgh gin masterclass more useful than a simple tasting flight. You move around Scotland through different gin styles while learning how botanicals, tonic, and cheese alter each sip.

I like the hands-on pairing format, and I like that the host explains both Scottish gin-making and how to enjoy the bottles later. The main drawback is firm: the session is not suitable for dairy-intolerant visitors, wheelchair users, pregnant women, or anyone under 18.

Key points at a glance

• Eight Scottish small-batch gins: Sample spirits from different parts of Scotland rather than focusing on one producer.
• A cheese pairing for every gin: Each pour comes with food chosen to show how the flavors work together.
• Premium mixers included: Compare Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree mixers with the gins.
• A working distillery on site: See where gin is made inside 56 North, Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar.
• A senior Gin Gent leads the class: Neil has been especially praised for his clear, passionate guidance.
• Two hours at $37 per person: A solid price if you want instruction, food, eight drinks, and a distillery visit in one sitting.

Eight Scottish gins in one sitting

The appeal here is variety. Instead of tasting several versions of one house gin, you sample eight small-batch Scottish gins from around the country. That gives you a useful introduction to the range of styles being made across Scotland.

The session aims to explain what makes each gin different. You learn about production methods, Scottish botanicals, and the choices made by distillers. The goal is not to turn you into a spirits expert in two hours. It is to give you enough grounding to understand what is in your glass and what you may want to order or buy later.

That makes this a good choice if your knowledge of gin begins and ends with gin and tonic. You do not need to know the difference between a London dry gin and a contemporary botanical style before arriving. The host takes you through the basics and adds context as the tasting progresses.

You can expect each sample to be part of a guided sequence. The precise brands and order are not fixed in the information provided, so do not book expecting a published bottle list. The selection is intended to show different approaches to Scottish gin, which is more valuable than a single brand presentation if you are still working out your preferences.

The small pours also matter. Eight full drinks would be far too much for a two-hour class, but tasting portions let you compare without turning the evening into a drinking contest. You have time to notice differences, ask questions, and think about which combinations work best.

Cheese changes the way gin tastes

The cheese pairing is the class’s most distinctive feature. Each gin comes with a different cheese, so you are not simply drinking through eight samples with a few crackers on the side. The food is part of the lesson.

Cheese can soften sharp edges, bring out herbal notes, or make a gin seem sweeter or more savory. You may find that a gin you do not enjoy on its own works better with its pairing. The reverse can happen too. That is useful information if you are trying to choose drinks for your own meals at home.

I like this format because it turns tasting into something practical. You are not only asking if you like a gin. You are also asking what it likes to sit beside. That makes the class relevant to anyone who enjoys hosting, cooking, or building a simple drink and food pairing.

The dairy restriction is important, not a footnote. Every pairing is built around cheese, and the experience is specifically listed as unsuitable for dairy-intolerant visitors. There is no stated alternative menu, so you should not assume that a substitute will be available.

The same issue applies to anyone with a serious dairy allergy. Ask the provider before booking if you have any concern. Based on the information available, cheese is a central part of the class rather than an optional extra.

Three mixers, eight different results

A good tonic can change a gin as much as a garnish can. This class introduces that idea by using mixers from Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree.

You may be used to pouring one tonic into every gin bottle. Here, the host shows why that approach can flatten the character of a spirit. A sweeter mixer, a sharper tonic, or a different level of bitterness may bring out different notes in the same gin.

The mixer section gives the session a clear practical purpose. You leave with more than a list of Scottish brands. You also have a better sense of how to serve them. If you usually order gin and tonic by habit, this can help you make more deliberate choices.

The class covers premium mixers as part of the tasting rather than treating them as a sales pitch. The focus is on developing flavor and learning how the elements interact. You should still expect a guided demonstration, not a private cocktail-making lesson. The stated format is a masterclass with samples, pairings, and explanations.

Inside Scotland’s oldest gin bar

The meeting point is 56 North, at 56 North in Edinburgh. It is described as Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar, and the venue also contains a working gin distillery.

That combination gives the class a sense of place. You are not tasting Scottish gin in a generic conference room. You are in a bar built around the spirit, with production taking place on site. The distillery visit helps connect the glass in front of you with the equipment and work behind the drink.

The supplied details do not promise a full production tour or a long technical walk-through. Think of the distillery visit as one part of a two-hour class, not a separate factory tour. You will be able to see a working gin distillery, while the host explains Scottish production and botanicals.

This is a good distinction to keep in mind when comparing bookings. If your main aim is to study distillation equipment in detail, a specialist distillery tour may offer more technical time. If you want a social tasting with a working distillery included, 56 North is a better fit.

The bar setting should also suit anyone who wants an evening activity with food. The class has enough structure to feel worthwhile, but it is not presented as a formal academic lecture. One particularly praised session was described as passionate, thorough, and rich in explanation about Edinburgh’s gin scene and its makers.

What the two-hour schedule feels like

The class runs for about two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

The opening portion should give you the basics: what Scottish gin is, how it is produced, and which botanicals play a role. From there, the tasting moves through eight samples, with cheese and mixer choices used to show how each drink develops.

You should expect the host to explain each gin as it appears rather than leave you to taste in silence. There is time for questions, and the format is designed for people who want to understand the spirit, not simply consume it.

A senior member of the Gin Gents team hosts the session. Neil is one named host associated with the experience, and his clear, passionate teaching has been especially well received. You cannot assume Neil will lead every date, but the format promises an experienced gin host who can answer questions.

The class is conducted in English. If you are comfortable following a spoken tasting lesson in English, the format should be straightforward. There is no indication that other languages are offered.

Because the class lasts two hours and includes eight samples, keep your expectations sensible. It is a compact introduction, not a full survey of every Scottish distiller. The strength is the balance of range, food, instruction, and place.

Is $37 a fair price?

At $37 per person, the price is reasonable for what is included. You receive eight gin samples, eight cheese pairings, premium mixers, a guided lesson, and access to a working distillery within Scotland’s oldest gin bar.

The value improves if you are already planning to visit a gin bar. A typical bar stop might give you one or two drinks and little explanation. Here, your money pays for a structured comparison and a host who helps you understand the choices behind the drinks.

The price is less attractive if you do not enjoy cheese or if you want only a quick drink. The class is built around pairings, and two hours is a meaningful block of an Edinburgh visit. You should choose it because you want to learn and taste, not because you simply need somewhere to have a gin.

There is also value in the range of brands. Tasting eight distinct Scottish gins can save you from buying a full bottle based on a single sip at a bar. You can leave with a clearer idea of the styles and mixers you prefer.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Edinburgh plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this most

This class suits adults who enjoy spirits but do not want a stiff lecture. It is also a good pick for anyone curious about Scottish food pairings, small-batch production, or the growing range of gin made across Scotland.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Like trying several styles rather than one familiar bottle
• Enjoy cheese with drinks
• Want to ask questions during a tasting
• Prefer a hosted activity with a clear beginning and end
• Are curious about Scottish botanicals and production
• Want an evening plan in a dedicated gin bar

It can work well for couples, friends, or solo visitors who enjoy sitting with a drink and learning along the way. The host-led format means you do not need to organize the activity yourself.

It is not a fit for children, anyone under 18, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. The venue has stairs and no wheelchair access. Bring a passport or ID card because the activity is strictly over 18 and operates a Challenge 25 policy. Even if you look comfortably over 25, carrying ID is the sensible move.

A few practical points before booking

Arrive at 56 North, the stated meeting point. The available details do not provide a transport plan or parking information, so check your route to the venue before the day.

Wear something comfortable for a two-hour seated tasting, though no special clothing is required. You do not need to bring tasting equipment. The gin, cheese, mixers, and instruction are included.

Pace yourself. Eight samples can add up, even when they are small. The class is designed around tasting and comparison, so you will get more from it if you pay attention to each pour rather than rushing to the next one.

ID is essential. The minimum age is 18, and Challenge 25 means the host may ask for proof of age if there is any doubt.

The class is in English only. If you need step-free access, this is not the right booking because stairs are required and wheelchair access is not available.

Should you book the 56 North gin masterclass?

Book it if you want a focused introduction to Scottish gin with real food, several brands, and a working distillery in the same place. The strongest feature is the way the pieces fit together: eight gins show variety, cheese gives you something concrete to compare, and the mixers explain how to serve the drinks afterward.

I especially like the practical teaching. You are not just told that each gin is different. You get a chance to test those differences with food and tonic. The host’s role also matters, and Neil has shown how much a clear, enthusiastic guide can add to a tasting.

Skip it if you cannot have dairy, need step-free access, or prefer a short and casual drink rather than a two-hour lesson. For everyone else, $37 is a sensible price for an adult Edinburgh activity that offers both flavor and useful know-how.

FAQ

Where does the gin masterclass take place?

It takes place at 56 North, Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar.

How long does the experience last?

The masterclass lasts around two hours.

How many gins will I taste?

You will taste eight small-batch Scottish gins from around the country.

Is cheese included?

Yes. Each gin is paired with a different cheese.

Which mixers are used?

The class uses Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree mixers.

Is the experience suitable for dairy-intolerant visitors?

No. The class is not suitable for dairy-intolerant visitors because cheese pairings are central to the experience.

What age do I need to be?

All participants must be over 18. The venue operates a Challenge 25 ID policy, so bring a passport or ID card.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

No. Wheelchair access is not available because the venue has stairs.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.