Distillery Masterclass – 8 Scottish gins paired with cheeses

Edinburgh’s 56 North is more than a bar. It is Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar, with a working distillery on site. This two-hour class takes you from that still to eight Scottish gins, each served with a matching cheese and, where useful, a premium mixer.

I like the clear tasting plan and the food pairings, which give each gin a purpose rather than leaving you with eight similar drinks. I also like the small-batch focus and the chance to compare Scottish styles from different parts of the country.

The main catch is practical: this is not suitable for dairy-intolerant visitors, and stairs make it unsuitable for wheelchair users. It is also strictly over 18, with ID checks under the Challenge 25 policy.

Key points at a glance

• Eight Scottish gins: Taste small-batch spirits made in different parts of Scotland.
• One cheese with each gin: The pairings help show how food can change the drink’s flavor.
• A working distillery: See where gin is made inside 56 North.
• Three mixer ranges: Cushiedoos, Bon Accord, and Fever-Tree mixers are used to develop different flavors.
• Senior Gin Gents host: Expect a guided session with time for questions. Neil has hosted at least some classes.
• Two hours at $37: A useful introduction for gin fans, especially if you value the food and instruction as well as the drinks.

Starting at Scotland’s oldest gin bar

Your meeting point is 56 North, at 56 North Bridge in Edinburgh. The attraction here is not only the tasting menu. You are entering a venue built around gin, with a working distillery on site and a long-standing claim to be Scotland’s original and oldest gin bar.

That setting gives the class a useful sense of place. You are not simply seated in a generic room while someone pours samples from a bottle. The distillery provides a link between the drink in your glass and the production methods, botanicals, and small-batch approach discussed during the session.

The information does not specify the exact room layout or group size, so I would not book this expecting a private class unless your reservation confirms it. One class was described as a small group, which is encouraging for questions, but the size can vary.

Arrive ready to listen and taste at a measured pace. Eight gins over two hours is a substantial amount of alcohol, even with small pours and food. The class is intended as a guided introduction, not a quick bar flight.

Eight gins, eight different Scottish styles

The tasting takes you around Scotland through eight craft gins. The point is comparison. Scottish gin is not presented as one fixed style, and the selection is meant to show how distillers use different methods and botanicals.

You can expect the host to explain key Scottish gin facts, Scottish production, and the botanicals used in gin. Since the exact brands and pouring order are not specified, the most useful way to approach the session is to focus on the differences between each glass rather than arrive with a fixed list of must-try labels.

That variety makes the class especially useful for someone who knows standard gin and tonic but wants a clearer sense of the wider Scottish scene. You might find a gin that leans toward familiar juniper, another that uses a more unusual botanical profile, and others that show how distillers can change the balance of a spirit. The exact mix will depend on the selection available for your session.

The host’s role matters here. A senior member of the Gin Gents team leads the class and can answer questions as the tasting progresses. Neil has been praised for his passionate and thorough explanations, so if he is leading your session, you can expect a strong focus on the Edinburgh gin scene, its producers, and how the spirit is made.

Why the cheese pairings matter

Each gin is served with a different cheese. This is the part that turns the class from a standard tasting into a food-and-drink lesson.

Cheese can soften, sharpen, or bring out certain notes in a spirit. A creamy bite may make a dry gin seem rounder, while a stronger cheese might highlight spice or citrus. You do not need advanced tasting skills to benefit from this. The host gives you a structure: try the gin, taste the cheese, then try the combination again.

The supplied information does not name the cheeses, so do not book this expecting a particular variety or a fixed cheese board. The selection is described as carefully chosen, but it may change with availability.

This pairing also makes the $37 price easier to assess. You are paying for eight pours, food with every pour, a host-led lesson, and access to a working distillery. For someone who only wants to drink gin, a bar flight may cost less. For someone who wants context and food, the class offers more substance.

Dairy is central to the experience, not an optional extra. If you are dairy intolerant, this is the wrong class because there is no indication that substitutions are available. The same warning applies to anyone who avoids cheese for dietary reasons.

Premium mixers and the art of changing the drink

The class introduces gin with premium mixers as well as neat tasting. The listed mixers are Cushiedoos Tonic, Bon Accord Tonic, and Fever-Tree Mixers.

This is useful because tonic is not a neutral ingredient. Different mixers can change sweetness, bitterness, bubbles, and the way botanical notes come through. The class aims to show how a gin can be enjoyed in more than one way, rather than treating every pour as the same gin and tonic.

You will likely get more from this section if you pay attention to the order of tasting. Try to notice what changes when a mixer is added, then compare that result with the cheese. The point is not to decide that one method is correct. It is to help you work out how you like to drink gin after the class.

The exact mixer served with each gin is not provided, so the experience will not follow a published pairing chart that you can study in advance. That is a small limitation for serious spirits collectors, but it also leaves room for the host to adapt the tasting.

A working distillery, not just a themed backdrop

The on-site distillery is one of the strongest reasons to choose this class over a simple tasting at a bar. You get to see a place where gin is produced while learning about Scottish distilling.

The available details do not promise a full production tour, a demonstration, or access to every part of the distillery. Think of this as a visit to a working distillery within the bar setting, not a separate factory tour.

Even a short look is valuable because it gives the production discussion a physical setting. When the host explains Scottish production or botanicals, you can connect those ideas to the equipment and workspace nearby.

For visitors already planning time in Edinburgh, this makes an efficient stop. You get a drink tasting and a bit of distillery context in two hours, without committing half a day to a distant producer. The trade-off is that the class is centered on tasting, so anyone seeking a long technical tour should check the precise format before booking.

The host makes the difference

This experience depends heavily on the person leading it. The class is designed to explain gin, not simply pour it, and the host is expected to answer questions about Scottish producers, botanicals, production, and serving styles.

The strongest feedback specifically praises Neil for being fantastic and for giving a thorough, passionate explanation of the Edinburgh gin scene. That points to the tone you should hope for: informed without being stiff, and detailed enough to give the spirits some context.

Do not worry if you are new to gin. The class is intended to give you a firm grounding, so you do not need a technical vocabulary before arriving. You can ask basic questions about botanicals, mixers, or the difference between the samples.

At the same time, experienced gin drinkers should still find value in the range of eight small-batch Scottish spirits. The pleasure comes from comparing them, especially when the cheese and mixers reveal different sides of each pour.

How much time to allow and what to bring

The session lasts about two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date. The tasting is long enough to feel like a proper class but short enough to fit neatly into an Edinburgh sightseeing day.

Bring a passport or ID card. Everyone must be over 18, and the venue operates Challenge 25, so anyone who looks under 25 may be asked for identification.

There is no separate transport included. You make your own way to 56 North, so allow time to reach the bar before the start. The central meeting point is convenient for a city visit, but the provided information does not give details about nearby parking or public transport.

The venue is not wheelchair accessible because of stairs. This is not a minor note if access is important to you. Contact the provider before booking if you need to confirm the physical arrangement.

Pregnant visitors should not book this activity, and it is not suitable for children. Since all eight samples are alcoholic, plan the rest of your day accordingly rather than treating the class as a quick pre-dinner stop.

Is $37 good value?

At $37 per person, the value depends on what you want from the afternoon. Eight Scottish gin samples alone give you a broad tasting, but the real value comes from the added elements: eight cheese pairings, a guided explanation, premium mixers, and a visit to a working distillery.

That is a fair package for anyone who wants to learn while tasting. You are not merely buying eight drinks. You are paying for a structured comparison that can help you make better choices in bars and shops later.

The price is less compelling if you dislike cheese, rarely drink gin, or want a full technical distillery tour. In those cases, the tasting menu may feel too specialized.

I would also consider the alcohol content. Eight samples can add up, even over two hours. The cheese helps, but you should still treat the class as the main drinking activity for that part of the day.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the session and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. Those policies are useful if your Edinburgh plans are still moving, though you should check the conditions shown for your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this Edinburgh gin class?

I would recommend it most strongly to adults who enjoy tasting spirits with food and want a clear introduction to Scottish gin. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who are happy to spend two hours in a seated, guided tasting.

It is also a good choice if you have already visited Edinburgh’s main sights and want an activity tied to local drink culture. The class gives you a reason to try small-batch Scottish gins that you might not otherwise encounter.

A serious gin collector may want the brand list before booking. Since the eight gins are not specified in advance, the class is better for discovery than for ticking off particular bottles.

It is a poor fit for anyone avoiding dairy, anyone under 18, pregnant visitors, and wheelchair users who cannot manage stairs. It is also not the right pick if your main interest is beer, whisky, or a long production tour.

Should you book the 56 North masterclass?

Book it if you want a friendly, structured introduction to Scottish gin rather than a night of unplanned drinking. The combination of eight small-batch samples, matching cheeses, premium mixers, and an on-site distillery gives the two hours a clear purpose.

I especially like that the class teaches you how to compare gin and how to serve it, not just which bottles to buy. The reports of Neil’s warm and thorough hosting also suggest that the human side of the experience can be as important as the drinks.

Skip it if dairy is a problem, stairs are a problem, or you want a detailed behind-the-scenes production tour. For everyone else, $37 is a reasonable price for a focused Edinburgh tasting with food, instruction, and a strong connection to Scotland’s growing gin scene.

FAQ

Where does the gin masterclass take place?

The class takes place at 56 North, Scotland’s original and 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 for your preferred date.

How many Scottish gins will I taste?

You will sample eight small-batch Scottish gins from different parts of Scotland.

Is cheese included with the tasting?

Yes. Each gin is paired with a different cheese. Because of this, the activity is not suitable for dairy-intolerant visitors.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Bring a passport or ID card. The activity is strictly for visitors over 18, and the venue operates Challenge 25.

Is the masterclass wheelchair accessible?

No. The venue has stairs and does not offer wheelchair access according to the activity information.