The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches – a new distillery, and home of Edinburgh Gin – opens in heart of Scotland’s capital
World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, will open the doors to its brand-new distillery on Friday 6th December. The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches – offers the public an unrivalled and immersive way to experience the brand like never before.
Located at The Arches on East Market Street, this state-of-the-art gin distillery will now produce every drop of Edinburgh Gin and is built upon the site of the historic Trinity Church, where the roots of botanical exploration were first planted centuries ago. The new distillery is home to painstakingly preserved features including historic arches and exposed brickwork, as well as breathtaking new additions such as floor-to-ceiling windows, a roof terrace, a chic bar, and most importantly two bespoke copper stills.
These new 2,000L stills – named Annie and Lina after two of the first female gardeners to work at Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh in 1897 – have been engineered with precision in Germany by esteemed coppersmiths Carl and represent the epitome of craftsmanship and innovation in the world of gin distillation. Joining Annie and Lina is a smaller still – named Matilda – to be used for experimental development. Together, the new stills serve as more than just functional equipment and are symbols of Edinburgh Gin’s unwavering commitment to excellence. These three copper stills are set to be the beating heart of the distillery and will ensure that every single bottle of Edinburgh Gin embodies the wonder-filled essence of the city’s spirit.
Committed to producing premium gin in a sustainable way, this new distillery obtains all its energy from 100% renewable electricity and will therefore be operationally carbon neutral*. This comes following the brand’s new, eco-conscious packaging which now includes 49% recycled glass content across all formats, fully recyclable labels and case shippers, and removal of all secondary packaging across the core range.
Offering breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, the new home of Edinburgh Gin marries rich heritage and excellent distilling credentials with innovative gin experiences, with the brand-new distillery poised to become the beating heart of Edinburgh’s gin culture.
Available to book now, the distillery will offer a programme of four distinct immersive experiences. From The Classic Tour & Tasting, to The Gin Making Experience, the all-new distillery experiences will showcase the excellence behind Edinburgh Gin and its top-class craftsmanship. Led by the brand’s expert Distillery Ambassadors, visitors on each experience will receive a unique glimpse into Edinburgh’s role in the history of gin, and the opportunity to fully immerse their senses by exploring the remarkable flavours, aromas, textures and tastes of the carefully chosen botanicals that contribute to the brand’s signature gins.
Finlay Nicol, Distillery Manager at Edinburgh Gin stated, “This launch is a true milestone for the brand, representing our relentless dedication to innovation and excellence in all things gin. We believe this is more than just a distillery — it’s a testament of our rich heritage, knowledge and commitment to sustainability, and our brand-new stills alone are an embodiment of this.”
Melissa Rickerby, Brand Homes Manager Edinburgh Gin also commented, “We’ve crafted unforgettable programmes for the new distillery which are as expertly curated as our spirits, so we can’t wait for visitors to experience them. These new experiences offer a deep dive into the intricate art and science of gin making, led by passionate experts who bring every detail of our process to life, offering a truly immersive journey through the world of gin.”
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches is open now, Mon – Sun 11:00 — 21:00. Experiences are available to book HERE.
Tasting Packages and Prices – prices listed are public rates – details on Travel Trade rates here
The Classic Tour & Tasting (1.25hours, £28.00pp)
Step into the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and the home of Edinburgh Gin for The Classic Tour & Tasting, immersing yourself in a world of craftsmanship and flavour. After a glimpse into Edinburgh’s role in the history of gin, you will explore our remarkable Flavour Arch to experience the aromas, textures and tastes that our carefully chosen botanicals contribute to our signature gins. Learn the secrets of distillation in our Stillhouse before enjoying a curated sampling of our acclaimed expressions with carefully selected mixer and garnish pairings in one of our fabulous Tasting Rooms.
Decadent Duo: Gin & Chocolate Pairing (1.5hours, £35.00pp)
Explore the realm of flavour pairings with our Decadent Duo: Gin & Chocolate Pairing. Led by our expert Distillery Ambassadors, this sensory journey invites you to elevate your tasting adventure. Begin your experience with an immersive distillery tour, exploring the intricate process behind our renowned spirits. Enjoy a selection of our finest gins, expertly matched with hand-selected chocolates from the artisans at COCO Chocolatier with every step infused with the essence of craftsmanship and indulgence. The perfect choice for any gin-lover, keen to experience their spirits in a considered new way.
Mix & Muddle Cocktail Class (2 hours, £50.00pp)
Join us for a Mix & Muddle Cocktail Class in our Roof Garden Bar, to learn the art of cocktail making using the pioneering flavours of Edinburgh Gin. Explore the world of mixology and classic gin-based cocktails, alongside intriguing new twists on serves as developed by our creative bar team. Enjoy four expertly crafted concoctions, learning about the different techniques, textures and tastes that go in to building the perfectly balanced drink, including the opportunity to make your own. Step into the stories behind each cocktail, uncovering the secrets that have made them enduring favourites.
Gin Making Experience (3 hours, £140.00pp)
Journey to the heart of gin-making by crafting your own bespoke gin. Following an immersive distillery tour to explore the intricate process behind our renowned spirits, you will unleash your inner distiller in The Arches Gin Lab. Here you will select some of the earth’s finest botanicals under the expert guidance of a Distillery Ambassador, fire up one of our small copper stills and indulge in a seasonal tutored tasting featuring gins from our award-winning range with delicious local produce – whilst our slowly simmering stills release the essential oils and flavours from your chosen botanicals. Commemorate the moment with a custom label before raising a tailored G&T in celebration of your creation.
Private Events
Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand affair, The Edinburgh Gin Distillery offers versatile spaces can accommodate your needs with style and grace.
The Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tasting Experience
Delve into the heart of Edinburgh Gin Distillery with an immersive journey through each area of our venue. Create the perfect backdrop for your event as you move seamlessly through our historic spaces.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Space Hire: from £6,500
The Distillery Bar
Experience the pinnacle of Edinburgh Gin Distillery with our flagship event space, the Main Bar. Ideal for gala dinners, corporate events, and private functions, this versatile venue can be combined with the Roof Terrace for added flexibility.
Capacity: Up to 50 seated, 100 reception
Space Hire: from £2,000
The Flavour Arch
Step into a world of wonder within our sensory Flavour Arch. Immerse yourself in the essence of Edinburgh Gin, as this captivating space sets the stage for tastings, product launches, and themed events.
Capacity: Up to 24 guests
Space Hire: from £500
Roof Terrace
Elevate your event to new heights on our stunning Roof Terrace, boasting unparalleled views of the cityscape. Whether you’re hosting a fair-weather drinks reception or a stylish gathering, this fully self-contained venue ensures a memorable experience for all.
Capacity: Up to 100 reception
Space Hire: from £2,000
The Tasting Arch
Journey back in time as you enter our intimate Tasting Arches, Adorned with original stone dating back to 1825. Perfect for intimate dining experiences, these charming spaces exude character and offer an authentic taste of Edinburgh.
Capacity: Up to 12 seated guests
Space Hire: from £500