With the UK coming out of lockdown and businesses starting to open again, we’re looking at the best gin experiences that will have you saying, "let the evening be-GIN!".
With over 200 gin distilleries in the UK alone, we're not surprised that gin tasting experiences are a hit all over the country. These experiences usually include a tour of a distillery, with an introduction to the brand’s gin and history with the chance to taste, try and buy all the gins on offer. Some will offer just tipple tastings and with others, you can make your own gin. With so much variety for gin tastings in the UK, you're spoilt for choice.
It can be daunting starting to think about going back out into the world after a year of being locked away, but a gin tasting experience is an exciting way to kick it all off. Look for experiences with lower booking numbers, or even get in contact with the gin brand or distillery to double-check.
The UK is still coming out of lockdown through the new roadmap, so it means that gin experiences and other days out may not be open until May at the earliest. Nevertheless, we love to be prepared and many businesses are taking bookings now.
From London to Glasgow, you can do these tasting experiences all over the UK, so don’t worry, because we have something for everyone.
Here are our highlights of the best gin tasting experiences UK:
Bombay Distillery Self Discovery Tour And Gin Cocktails For 2 (Hampshire)
Edinburgh Gin Tours and ‘Wee Wonders’ Online Tasting (Scotland)
Cygnet Distillery Gin Tour (Wales)
Bermondsey Distillery Jensen’s Tour and Gin Tasting (London)
Manchester Gin Distillery Tour and Guided Tasting (Manchester)
6 O’Clock Gin Tours (Bristol)
Activity Superstore Gin Voucher for Gin Lovers (Nationwide)
Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections. Why trust us?
Please note: you must be over 18 to take part in these experiences.
Legendary gin brand Bombay Sapphire hosts its u2018Self Discoveryu2019 gin experience at the distillery in Hampshire. Including a tour of the distillery, Dakin Still House, a tasty gin cocktail and a personalised voucher, this gin tasting experience near London is perfect for fans of Bombay Sapphire.
www.edinburghgin.com
If youu2019re a gin fan, you'll have heard of the infamous Edinburgh Gin. Now, you can see and taste the gin being made and learn about the history of Scottish gin heritage, with its 5-star rated attraction. Weu2019re hoping that the Scottish gin tasting experience opens as lockdown restrictions ease, but if you canu2019t wait, there's a u2018Wee Wonders Online Tastingu2019 with its distillery team for just £40.
www.cygnet-distillery.co.uk
A local Swansea distillery, Cygnet Ginu2019s guided tour is on the more expensive side, but that's because of how much you'll experience. Being two-and-a-half hours long, you get your moneyu2019s worth - meeting and greeting the master distiller, a guided tour, tasting, masterclass, a choice of cocktails to choose from, as well as a two-course set meal u2013 a jam-packed gin tasting experience, Wales.
www.buyagift.co.uk
Right underneath the bustling trains of London Bridge, this tour and tasting focus on the history of classic London dry gin and the growth of Jensenu2019s gin brand. Taste a classic G&T, go on a tour, and then enjoy samples of Bermondsey Dry and Old Tom gins in this gin tasting experience, London.
manchestergin.co.uk
Distilled in the heart of the city, this gin tasting experience, Manchester, takes you through the in-house production and what makes it an award-winning gin. Manchester Ginu2019s Distillery Tour and Tasting includes an arrival G&T, tutored tasting, and a tour of the distillery. What more could you want?
www.6oclockgin.com
Bristolu2019s home-made 6 Ou2019clock Gin is a family-run distillery and you can book on its behind-the-scenes distillery tour to see the process with an expert guide. Book onto the best gin tasting experience, Bristol, where you can even see u2018Kathleenu2019 u2013 the double sphere copper still. Tours are starting up again from June 3rd so snap up your place now!
Canu2019t decide when or where to go? This voucher from Activity Superstore lets you choose from 15 UK gin experiences all over the country. Perfect as a gift for a birthday or anniversary, the vouchers are valid for 18 months and you can choose from a gin afternoon tea, gin tasting, gin tours and more.
What is gin made from?
Gin is a distilled alcohol, its main ingredient is juniper berry, alongside other botanicals. Usually, the typical distillation process includes adding these botanicals into already-distilled alcohol (such as vodka) and then re-distilling it and removing the botanical solids. This is why there are so many different flavours of gin and many have taken to their own houses to create homemade gin! As long as the main botanical used is juniper, then any combination can be made to create gin.
What to make with gin?
Everybody knows the classic G&T - gin and tonic combo - which would arguably be the best drink to make with gin. If tonic isn’t your thing though, there are thousands of gin combos out there to make. Go for a Singapore Sling if you’re feeling fruity, a Negroni is known as a popular Italian gin cocktail or a simple Gimlet – gin and lime syrup. Why not try a gin tasting experience to widen your palate?
Which is the best gin?
Now that’s a question! It’s really a question of preference because there are so many flavours of gin. Firstly, there are London Dry Gins which have the strongest juniper flavour, as well as citrus tones. Examples are Gordon’s or Ophir. Then you have Old Tom Gins, which were commonly made in bathtubs in the 18th century. These were flavoured with liquorice to make them sweeter and you can find these gins from brands such as Cotswolds or Masons. You have two other types of gins: Plymouth, which can only be distilled in that area, or Navy Strength which is incredibly strong – up to 57%! It’s hard to say which is the best – you’ll have to taste them all to find out.