Touring The Top Gin Distilleries in England
Holiday plans for Distillery tours and tastings in England are one of the most popular activities on many holiday makers to-do lists.
Visitors to England from Italy, Norway, Sweden and the UK had listed a tour or tasting as their most sought after activity. These tours have become a significant draw for tourism.
Plymouth Gin
There are some definitive distilleries in England. We have compiled a few with their information and a brief history. Let’s begin with Black Friars, which houses Plymouth Gin. The Plymouth Distillery is the oldest working distillery in England, making Plymouth Gin Original Recipe since 1793. The building itself dates to the early 1400s. Of the original structure, the Refectory Room, which is a medieval hall with a fantastic timber roof. The Refectory was built in 1431, making it one of the oldest buildings in Plymouth. It is now a protected national monument and a historical center for gin aficionados.
Tour Information
Plymouth offers three tour options, each with a complimentary drink at the end. Tours range from 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours, with prices from £12.50 to £55.00 for the master distillers tour. The guide goes over the history of the distillery, with more detail added with each level of tour purchased. A tasting is then offered, with several types of gin on display. The tours all finish with a complimentary miniature of Plymouth Gin or a cocktail on site.
Make sure to book your tour at least three weeks in advance, and sooner if possible, as tours fill quickly.
For more details visit their website by clicking clicking here.
Ian Macleod Distillers – Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh distillery tours are full of history and in-depth knowledge of gin. Gin is the focus of the tour, travelling through Edinburgh’s past in the exhibition area before experiencing the modern process for gin creation in the still room, which holds two copper stills. The tour then discusses the botanicals in the gin and finishes with a classic G&T.
Tour Information
The distillery recommends booking at least 3 months in advance, as there is generally a 2-3 month waiting list, especially on weekends. They offer three levels of tour, ranging from £10 to £100, and from 45 minutes to 3 hours. The more extended tours need to be booked earlier, as they may have waits for 5-6 months on weekends.
For more details visit their website by clicking here.
Warner’s Distillery Tour
The Falls Farm is home to Warners Distillery and Botanical Garden. When arriving, callers are greeted with an arrival G&T to enjoy while strolling through the gardens or sitting in the Tack Room Bar.
Tour Information
Tours are immersive, taking visitors through the history of the grounds, the Warner’s Distillery story, a walk through the gardens, and a visit to the on-site apiary. Beehives lead the way to conservation and sustainability discussions, where the tour touches on the distillers’ ambitions of sustainable management. Next is the guided gin tasting and finally a tour of the distillery itself.
The tours start at £25. They offer a more in-depth tour for £40.
For more details visit their website by clicking here.
Sipsmith Distillery
Sipsmith Distillery began in 2009, becoming London’s first traditional copper distillery since 1820. Take yourself on a journey through their three copper stills at their distillery with complimentary tutored tasting.
Tour Information
The Sipsmith tours are available Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, and occasional Fridays from 4:30 – 6:00 pm.
These tours come with a complimentary tutored tasting of the range of gins available. The history of gin is covered, along with the history of Sipsmith. Next is the still room, with more tastings.
The price ranges from £25 to £100, with the top tour including a three-course meal at La Trompette, a Michelin Star restaurant.
For more details visit their website by clicking here.
Conclusion
Tours and trips into the countryside are always great, though if unable to make the trek to a distillery, at least make the time to purchase some of these fantastic brands best offerings. Believe me, you won’t be sorry, the gin is worth it.
Make sure to plan ahead for any inclement weather, and never assume you can show up. Most, if not all, distilleries that offer tours are going to be pre-booked on weekends. You may be able to sneak in on a weekday, but it is far from a guarantee. Planning out your holiday will ensure you get the best time slots as well, so book early.
