Distillery Masterclass – 8 Scottish gins paired with cheeses

Gin and cheese make an oddly fine team. This two-hour Edinburgh masterclass takes you into 56 North, Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar, where you taste eight small-batch Scottish gins, each matched with cheese. I like the clear focus on Scottish producers and the chance to see a working gin distillery on site. I also like that the tasting includes premium mixers, not just neat pours.

The main drawback is practical rather than culinary: the venue has stairs and no wheelchair access. This is strictly an over-18 experience, and it is not suitable for anyone who cannot have dairy. If you enjoy learning as much as tasting, the experienced host adds real value, with one host named Neil earning especially warm praise for his passion and clear explanations.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight Scottish gins: Taste a broad selection of small-batch gins made in different parts of Scotland.
• A cheese match for every pour: Each gin comes with its own cheese, so you can compare how food changes the drink.
• Premium mixers included: Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree Mixers help show how different additions affect the flavour.
• A working distillery on site: You can see gin production equipment while visiting Scotland’s oldest gin bar.
• A two-hour guided class: A senior member of the Gin Gents team leads the session in English.
• Adults only: You must be over 18 and should bring a passport or other accepted ID.

Why this Edinburgh gin class is worth your time

Edinburgh has become closely linked with modern Scottish gin, but the drink is made across the country in many different styles. This class gives you a useful starting point for understanding those differences without asking you to become a spirits expert first.

You are not simply handed eight drinks and left to guess what you are tasting. The host explains Scottish gin, local production, botanicals, and the ways distillers approach flavour. That makes the session feel more like a guided lesson with food than a basic bar tasting.

I especially like the format because gin can be easy to oversimplify. People often talk about juniper and tonic as if every bottle tastes much the same. Eight samples show how wide the category can be. You might notice clear contrasts between the gins, with some tasting more floral, herbal, citrus-led, or spice-forward, depending on their botanicals and production choices.

The class also helps you make better choices after you leave. By the end, you should have a firmer idea of which styles you prefer and which mixers bring out those flavours. That is more useful than simply deciding that you liked one glass.

Starting at 56 North, Scotland’s oldest gin bar

The meeting point is 56 North, a bar with a working gin distillery on site. That setting matters. You are learning about gin in a place where it is produced and served, rather than in a neutral room with no connection to the spirit itself.

The venue is described as Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar. For you, that gives the class a strong sense of place without requiring a separate distillery excursion outside Edinburgh. You can combine a bar visit, a tasting, and a look at working distillery equipment in one booking.

The distillery visit is not presented as a separate long tour. Instead, it forms part of the class, so you should think of it as a useful look at production within a broader tasting experience. If you want an in-depth technical tour of every stage of distilling, this may feel brief. If you want context for what is in your glass, it fits well.

The venue has stairs, so check this point carefully before booking. Wheelchair access is not available. The supplied information does not give a full description of the seating or room layout, so contact the venue directly if you need other access details.

How the eight-gin tasting works

The central part of the class is a guided tasting of eight unique Scottish gins. These are small-batch bottles from around Scotland, giving the session a broad national reach rather than a narrow focus on one distillery or one local brand.

You will taste the gins with a cheese selected for each one. This lets you compare the spirit on its own terms and then see how food changes your impression. A cheese can soften sharp notes, bring out sweetness, or make herbal and citrus flavours feel more pronounced. You do not need a trained palate to enjoy this. The pairing gives you something concrete to notice.

The class is also designed to show how gin works with mixers. Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree Mixers are included. These are not just there to make the drinks longer. Different tonics and mixers can change sweetness, bitterness, aroma, and texture, so you can see why the same gin may suit one mixer better than another.

This is one of the best parts of the experience for anyone who usually drinks gin and tonic without thinking about the details. You can pay attention to the balance and decide what you actually like. The host’s guidance should help you avoid treating every gin as if it needs the same tonic and garnish.

Because eight samples are served during about two hours, the pace should give you time to listen, taste, and ask questions. It is still a substantial amount of alcohol, though. Eat beforehand if that suits you, take the tasting slowly, and do not plan to drive afterward.

The Scottish botanicals and production story

A good gin class explains more than brand names. Here, the host covers Scottish gin facts, production methods, and Scottish botanicals. That background gives the tasting a reason to exist.

Botanicals are the ingredients that shape a gin’s character beyond its basic alcohol base and juniper. The class helps you consider how producers use them to create different styles. The important point is not memorizing every ingredient. It is learning to connect what you smell and taste with the choices made during production.

The focus on Scottish distillers also gives you a better sense of the country’s gin scene. You are tasting bottles from around Scotland rather than being shown only one house product. That variety is useful if you are considering buying a bottle during your time in Scotland, because you can make your choice based on flavour rather than a label that simply looks appealing.

I would ask the host where each gin comes from and which ingredients define it. The format is built for questions, and an experienced guide can often make the difference between a pleasant tasting and a useful one. A January booking singled out Neil for being fantastic, while another class received a very thorough and passionate explanation of Edinburgh’s gin scene, its producers, and their craft.

Cheese pairings that add more than decoration

The cheese is not an afterthought. A different cheese is paired with each gin, creating eight small comparisons throughout the class.

You will not be asked to judge the cheese in isolation. Instead, notice what happens when you taste the gin before and after eating it. Does the cheese make the gin seem rounder? Does it highlight a bitter note? Does it bring out a fresh or sweet quality? These simple questions keep the session active and make the tasting easier to follow.

This setup also suits people who are interested in food matching but are not keen on formal wine tastings. Gin has enough variety to make the pairings interesting, and the cheese gives you something filling to enjoy along the way.

There is one firm limitation: the class is not suitable for dairy-intolerant visitors. The information provided does not promise substitute cheeses, so do not assume an alternative can be arranged. Pregnant visitors should also not book, since the experience includes alcohol.

The host and the value of a small class

The host is one of the most important parts of this experience. A senior member of the Gin Gents team leads the class, explains the drinks, and answers questions. That makes the session more flexible than a self-guided flight at a bar.

A small class can be especially helpful here. One group described its session as small and received a detailed explanation of the Edinburgh gin scene and the people making the spirit. A more intimate setting usually makes it easier to ask why one gin tastes different from another or how a particular mixer affects the drink.

Neil is the named host associated with especially strong praise. If he is leading your session, expect a warm and enthusiastic presentation based on the response to his hosting. Since guides can vary by date, I would not book solely on the chance of having one particular person, but the senior host format is a solid feature in its own right.

The class is in English. If you need another language, this is not the right choice based on the available information.

Is $37 a fair price?

At $37 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour guided tasting that includes eight gins, eight cheese pairings, premium mixers, and a visit to a working distillery. You are paying for more than eight small pours. The host’s explanations and the structured comparisons are what make the price worthwhile.

It is particularly good value if you are curious about Scottish gin but do not know which bottles to try. Buying eight different gins yourself would cost far more, and you would lose the guidance that explains what you are tasting. The cheese pairings also add a food element that turns the session into a more complete afternoon or evening activity.

The value is lower if you only want a quick drink or already have extensive knowledge of Scottish gin. In that case, you may prefer ordering a single serving at a bar. This class is aimed at discovery, comparison, and conversation rather than a fast tasting flight.

The price does not include transport to 56 North, and the information does not list any additional food beyond the paired cheeses. Plan it as a focused tasting, not a full meal.

Timing, age rules, and what to bring

The session lasts around two hours, with start times depending on availability. That makes it easy to fit into an Edinburgh day, but check the exact time before you make other plans.

Bring a passport or ID card. Everyone must be over 18, and the venue operates Challenge 25, so even visitors who look well over the legal drinking age may be asked for identification. This is not a family activity, and children under 18 cannot attend.

The class is available with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Edinburgh schedule is still changing. Those terms are useful, but I would still confirm the booking time and access arrangements before you commit.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend the class to:

• Anyone who wants a clear introduction to Scottish gin
• Couples looking for a food-and-drink activity in Edinburgh
• Gin drinkers who want to compare small-batch producers
• Visitors interested in Scottish botanicals and local distilling
• People who enjoy guided tastings with plenty of explanation
• Anyone who wants to learn how mixers affect a gin

I would be cautious about booking if you dislike cheese, cannot consume dairy, are pregnant, or need wheelchair access. It is also a poor fit if you want a quiet, private drink rather than a hosted class.

Should you book the Scottish gin and cheese masterclass?

Book it if you want to understand Scottish gin, not just sample it. The combination of eight regional gins, matched cheeses, premium mixers, and a working distillery gives you plenty to compare for $37.

The strongest reason to go is the teaching. A passionate host can help you notice why the gins differ and how to enjoy them after the class. The main reasons to skip it are the stairs, the dairy requirement, and the alcohol restrictions.

For most adults interested in Scottish food and drink, this is a well-priced, two-hour introduction with enough variety to keep the tasting lively. Bring ID, arrive ready to ask questions, and keep your evening free from driving.

FAQ

Where does the gin masterclass take place?

The class takes place at 56 North, Scotland’s oldest gin bar. The venue also has a working gin distillery on site.

How long does the experience last?

The masterclass lasts around two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many Scottish gins will I taste?

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

Is cheese included with the gin tasting?

Yes. Each gin is paired with a different cheese.

Are mixers included?

Yes. The class uses Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree Mixers to show how mixers can develop different flavours.

Is the experience suitable for people under 18?

No. Everyone must be over 18, and the venue operates Challenge 25 for identification checks. Bring a passport or ID card.

Can wheelchair users attend?

No. The venue has stairs and does not offer wheelchair access.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.