Distillery Masterclass – 8 Scottish gins paired with cheeses

Edinburgh’s 56 North combines Scotland’s oldest gin bar with a working distillery, giving this two-hour class more substance than a simple tasting. You sample eight small-batch Scottish gins, then test each with cheese and mixers from Cushiedoos, Bon Accord, and Fever-Tree.

I like the clear journey around Scotland and the way each gin is matched with a different cheese. I also like that the host explains production, botanicals, and the Edinburgh gin scene in plain terms. The main drawback is practical: the venue has stairs and no wheelchair access, and the class is not suitable for anyone avoiding dairy.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight gins, eight cheese pairings: Each sample has its own cheese match, helping you notice how food changes the drink.
• A working distillery on site: You can see gin being made rather than tasting in a bar with no production area.
• Scottish focus: The selection covers different styles and small-batch producers from around Scotland.
• A guided, two-hour format: A senior Gin Gent leads the session and answers questions as you taste.
• Premium mixers are part of the lesson: Cushiedoos, Bon Accord, and Fever-Tree products help show how tonic can alter a gin.
• Adults only: You must be over 18 and should bring a passport or ID card because Challenge 25 applies.

Starting at Scotland’s oldest gin bar

Your meeting point is 56 North, at 56 North in Edinburgh. The venue is not just a convenient bar chosen for a tasting. It also houses a working gin distillery, so the class connects the drink in your glass with the place where gin is produced.

That matters because gin can seem like a simple spirit until you start comparing bottles. The base spirit may be familiar, but the botanicals, production choices, strength, and final serving style can change the result. Seeing a distillery on site gives the session a useful practical setting.

The available information does not promise a full technical tour of every piece of equipment, so you should think of the distillery visit as part of the class rather than a separate factory tour. Still, it adds something you would not get from a standard bar tasting.

The venue is in Edinburgh, but the class looks well beyond the city. You are introduced to Scottish gin as a national craft, with bottles from different parts of Scotland and different approaches to flavor.

Eight small-batch gins from around Scotland

The main tasting includes eight Scottish gins. That is a generous number for a two-hour session, especially because the class does not treat the samples as interchangeable pours.

The point is comparison. One gin may show familiar juniper character, while another may lean on different botanicals or a softer, more unusual profile. The exact brands are not specified in advance, which means the selection may vary. You should expect a broad sample of Scottish production rather than a fixed list you can study beforehand.

I like this format for anyone still learning what they enjoy. A single gin and tonic tells you very little. Eight samples let you compare styles in one sitting, while the host gives you the language to describe what you are tasting.

The class also looks at Scottish production and Scottish botanicals. This is useful context. You are not simply told to notice a flavor and move on. You learn that gin reflects choices made by the distiller, from the botanicals selected to the way the spirit is produced and served.

The session is hosted in English by one of the senior Gin Gents team. The host is there to explain the drinks and take questions, so you can ask about production, serving suggestions, or the differences between the samples. Neil has received particularly strong praise for his clear and passionate explanation of Edinburgh’s gin scene, its makers, and the craft behind the spirit.

Why the cheese pairings matter

Each gin is paired with a different cheese. This is more than a snack between samples. Cheese gives you a way to test how a spirit behaves with food, and it helps make small differences in flavor easier to notice.

You may find that a cheese softens a sharp edge, brings out a botanical note, or changes the balance of the drink. The pairing also makes the tasting feel like a small meal rather than eight quick sips. That can be important if you are planning the class as part of an evening in Edinburgh.

The class is specifically designed around the relationship between gin, cheese, and mixers. That combination makes it useful for people who already drink gin and want new serving ideas, but it also works for beginners who need a gentle introduction.

There is one firm limitation. This is not suitable for anyone with a dairy intolerance because cheese is central to the experience. The information provided does not identify the cheeses or promise substitutions, so you should not assume that a dairy-free option is available.

Premium mixers show how serving changes the drink

The class uses Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree Mixers. This gives you more than one standard tonic water and lets you see how a mixer can change the final drink.

For many people, the tonic is treated as an afterthought. Here it becomes part of the lesson. A gin that tastes one way on its own may feel different with a sweeter, sharper, or more aromatic mixer. The host’s role is to help you understand those changes and decide how you might serve the gin later.

The class does not promise a full cocktail-making workshop. You are there to learn about gin, cheese, and premium mixers, not to practice a long list of mixed drinks. That focus keeps the session manageable within two hours.

I see this as one of the strongest reasons to book if you already have a bottle at home but rarely know how to serve it. The lesson should give you a firmer grounding in which styles and mixers work for your own taste.

The two-hour flow and what it feels like

The exact order can vary, but you can expect the session to move through several connected parts. You meet at 56 North, settle into the bar setting, and begin with an introduction to Scottish gin and the class format.

The host then takes you through the samples, one at a time. Each gin is served with its cheese match, and mixers are used to develop different flavors. Between pours, the host explains Scottish production, botanicals, distillers, and the wider Edinburgh gin scene.

At some point, you also visit the working distillery on site. The supplied details do not set out the length of this visit, so you should not expect a separate, lengthy distillery tour. Its value is in linking the tasting to a real production space.

The pace should feel guided rather than rushed. Eight gins over two hours allows time for explanation and questions, though you will still be tasting frequently. If you prefer to sip slowly or take detailed notes, you may need to manage your own pace.

A small class can make this format especially useful. One available account describes a small group receiving a thorough explanation of the local gin scene, along with eight distinct gins and a carefully selected range of cheeses. The session seems designed to encourage questions rather than keep everyone silent while a guide recites facts.

What you are paying for at $37

At $37 per person, the value rests on three parts: eight gin samples, eight cheese pairings, and two hours of instruction in a distillery bar.

If you bought eight separate gin drinks in a central Edinburgh bar, the cost could quickly approach or exceed the class price, even before adding food. The class also gives you a guide, a tasting structure, and several mixers. That makes the price reasonable for someone who wants education as well as drinks.

You are paying for a focused introduction, not a full bottle of every gin or an extended distillery tour. The samples are described as small-batch tastings, so do not book expecting large measures. The benefit is variety and explanation.

I would call it good value for gin fans, couples planning a food-and-drink activity, and visitors who want something more local than a generic pub stop. It is less compelling if you only want a quick drink, dislike cheese, or already know Scottish gin well.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option can help if your Edinburgh schedule is still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, according to the booking conditions provided.

Who should book this masterclass

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy learning through tasting. You do not need to be a gin expert. In fact, beginners may gain the most because the class gives you a simple structure for comparing styles.

It also suits anyone curious about Scotland’s modern drinks scene. The focus is not only on one Edinburgh label. You are taken around the country through eight samples, which gives the class a wider Scottish identity.

Food-minded visitors should enjoy the cheese pairings, especially if you like testing drinks with different foods. The class also works well for a rainy Edinburgh afternoon because the activity takes place indoors at a bar and distillery.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, under 18, dairy intolerant, or uncomfortable with stairs. Wheelchair users cannot take part because there is no disabled access for wheelchairs due to stairs.

Bring a passport or ID card. Everyone must be over 18, and Challenge 25 means you may be asked for proof of age even if you look older.

What the strong praise points to

The most repeated strengths are the host, the food, the atmosphere, and the range of gin. One class was described as thorough and passionate, with a strong explanation of the Edinburgh gin scene and the people making the spirit.

That is useful because a tasting can easily become a parade of product names. Here, the host is expected to explain the craft behind the bottles. Neil, in particular, has been singled out for his hosting, so he is a guide to hope for when scheduling allows, though the class is normally assigned to a senior Gin Gent rather than promising one named person.

The food also matters. The cheese is not an extra plate placed on the table. It is matched to each gin, giving the class a food-pairing purpose and helping break up the alcohol tasting.

The atmosphere at 56 North adds to the appeal. You are in a real gin bar with production on site, not a bare classroom. That setting should make the experience feel social and connected to Edinburgh’s drinking culture without losing the educational side.

Book it or skip it?

Book this class if you want a guided introduction to Scottish gin with real food, a working distillery, and enough samples to compare different styles. At $37, the combination is fair, particularly if you value explanation and not just the drinks.

Skip it if dairy is a problem, stairs are difficult, or you want a broad cocktail lesson rather than a gin tasting. For most adults interested in Scottish spirits, though, the eight-gin format and strong hosting make this a practical, enjoyable way to understand what is in the glass and how to serve it once you are home.

FAQ

Where does the gin masterclass take place?

The class meets at 56 North in Edinburgh, 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 depend on availability.

How many Scottish gins will I taste?

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

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 masterclass suitable for people with dairy intolerance?

No. The experience is not suitable for dairy-intolerant participants because cheese is part of the tasting.

What language is the class conducted in?

The live class is conducted in English.

Is the activity suitable for children?

No. All participants must be over 18.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. Challenge 25 applies, so you may be asked to show proof of age.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

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

Can pregnant women take part?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.