Sip and Savour Edinburgh Gin Meets Mellis Cheese

Gin and cheese should not work this well. In Edinburgh, this 1 hour 45 minutes experience pairs a classic gin distillery tour with four mini cocktails and cheese matches, plus time to shake your own drink for real hands-on fun.

I especially like the way the hosts bring Edinburgh gin history to life before you start tasting, so the spirit has a story, not just a flavor. And I really like that each cocktail is matched with IJ Mellis cheese, with crackers and chutneys coming along for the ride.

One thing to consider: you will taste multiple gin cocktails in one afternoon, so plan not to drive afterward and make sure you actually like gin and cheese pairings.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Gin and Cheese Tour

• Small group vibe with a max of 12 people, so questions feel welcome
• Flavour Arch and Still Room stops that explain how the spirit’s character takes shape
• Four matched mini cocktails paired with IJ Mellis cheese
• Crackers and chutneys on the table to help you reset your palate
• Shake your own cocktail for a more personal, memorable finish
• Optional Distillery Bar visit, if it’s available

Where the Tour Starts: Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches

This tour meets at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches, Arch 16, E Market St (EH8 8FS). It’s in a part of Edinburgh that’s easy to reach by public transport, so you won’t need a complicated logistics puzzle before the first sip.

The “why this matters” part is timing and comfort. A 2:00 pm start gives you a nice chunk of the day, but you still want to avoid scheduling anything tight right after, because this experience includes alcohol tastings and a hands-on cocktail moment. The good news: the activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not stranded across town.

Also, since the group is capped at 12 travelers, you’re not stuck waiting for your turn all the time. This kind of setting tends to make the tasting feel more like a guided night out than a loud, rushed production.

Welcome Drink and Gin History You Can Actually Use

You begin with a welcome drink, then move into an introduction to the history of gin in Edinburgh. That opening matters more than you might think, because gin can feel like a single-note category if all you do is sip and guess.

From there, the story of Edinburgh Gin sets the stage for why the flavors taste the way they do. And if your host is one of the session leaders who has been mentioned in past tour groups, like Gregor, Sam, Rosie, Freddie, Kylie, or others, you can expect a lively, personality-forward explanation and room to talk about what you like.

The practical payoff: when you understand the spirit’s background, the tasting stops feeling random. You start noticing how botanical profiles translate into citrus, spice, and herbal notes, and you’re more likely to remember what you enjoyed.

Touring the Flavour Arch: How Botanical Flavor Gets Shaped

Next up is the Flavour Arch. Even if you’re not a “science person,” the point here is sensory. You’ll get a tour of the space where flavor character comes into focus, and you’ll connect what you see to what you’ll taste later.

Think of this stop as your mental warm-up. Before you start pairing cocktails with cheese, you’re being trained to notice subtle differences: how aroma changes when flavors combine, and how gin can shift from crisp to complex depending on the botanical set and the mix style.

One downside to keep in mind: this portion moves at tour pace. If you want to linger and do slow sniff-testing, you might wish you had extra time. But the upside is that you get a well-timed flow that leads directly into the tastings.

Still Room Time: Watching Craft Come Through

After the Flavour Arch, you’ll tour the Still Room. This is where the distillery side gets real, and you get a clearer sense of the process behind the gin you’re about to taste.

I like this stop because it grounds the evening. You’re not just eating and drinking; you’re understanding that the spirit’s character is shaped through real production steps. If you’re the type who enjoys seeing how food and drink are made, this is a strong reason to choose this tour over a basic tasting.

The tour format also keeps you engaged: after the still room, you’re moving into cocktails and pairings without long downtime. That’s helpful if you’d rather spend your time tasting than waiting.

The Main Event: Four Gin Cocktails Paired with IJ Mellis Cheese

Now comes the heart of the experience: four perfectly paired mini classic cocktails matched with hand-selected IJ Mellis cheeses. IJ Mellis is described as Scotland’s celebrated cheesemonger, and the pairing approach is clearly the point, not an afterthought.

Each pairing also includes crackers and chutneys. That’s a big deal. Crackers help you reset between bites, and chutneys add sweet, tangy, or spiced notes that can pull flavors into better balance with gin’s crisp botanical edge.

Here’s how I’d approach the tasting so you get more out of it. Start with the cocktail first, take a quick sip, then look at the cheese pairing and try tasting the cheese on its own. Then combine them: one bite with one sip. You’ll learn faster what does and doesn’t work for your palate.

Also, because you’re sampling multiple mini cocktails rather than one large pour, you get range. One might lean sharper or more citrus-forward, another might feel warmer or more herb-driven. That makes the pairing process more interesting, because the cheese has to adapt to different flavor directions.

This is also where the best hosts shine. In past sessions, tour leaders like Gregor and Sam have been praised for engaging guests and talking in a way that connects taste preferences to what’s happening in the glass and on the plate. If you like discussing what you’re eating and drinking, this format gives you that chance.

Shaking Your Own Cocktail: The Hands-On Gin Moment

You finish with the hands-on part: you’ll shake your own cocktail. This is not just a photo-op station. It’s a chance to translate what you learned into action, and it tends to make the whole experience feel more personal.

If you’re wondering what makes this better than just sipping, it’s control. You get to experience the texture change that comes from shaking, and you’ll get to taste your own result, which makes the earlier lessons stick.

It also helps you slow down for a moment in a good way. Instead of racing through tastings, you’re actively participating. That’s especially nice in a group size of up to 12, since the guidance tends to be easier to receive.

Practical tip: pace yourself. Even though the cocktails are mini, you’re still drinking alcohol across the evening. You’ll have the best experience if you avoid feeling rushed, so take your time between tastings and use the crackers and chutneys to keep your palate fresh.

Optional Distillery Bar and the Shop Promotions

There’s an option to visit the Distillery Bar, subject to availability. That means it’s not guaranteed for every group, but it’s there as an add-on if the timing and space allow. If you’re hoping to keep the gin momentum going after your paired tastings, this is a nice possibility.

You can also visit the distillery shop. The shop is specifically mentioned as having special experience promotions, which can be a fun way to bring something home that matches what you liked during the tour.

I’d treat these as optional bonuses rather than the main point. The core value is the guided tasting and pairing plus your own cocktail-making moment.

Price and Value: What $89.97 Includes for 1 Hour 45 Minutes

The price is $89.97 per person for about 1 hour 45 minutes, plus a mobile ticket. To judge value fairly, focus on what’s included:

• A welcome drink
• A gin history introduction tied to Edinburgh
• A distillery tour covering the Flavour Arch and Still Room
• Four mini classic gin cocktails
• Cheese pairings from IJ Mellis, plus crackers and chutneys
• A guided session where you shake your own cocktail

For many Edinburgh food and drink activities, the cost either buys tasting or buys guidance. Here you get both. You’re paying for instruction, not just alcohol. The cheese pairing adds another layer of value too, because matching cheese to gin isn’t the kind of thing you can easily guess your way through on your own.

The small group limit (up to 12 travelers) is also part of the value. Smaller groups usually mean better interaction with your host, and in a tasting experience, that often makes the difference between passively sipping and actively learning what you like.

Who Should Book This Sip and Savour Experience

This tour is a great fit if you:

• love gin and want a structured way to understand flavors beyond one sip
• enjoy cheese tastings and like the idea of pairing challenges
• want a guided experience that ends with a hands-on activity, not just a seated tasting

It might not be ideal if:

• you strongly dislike gin flavors or aren’t interested in alcohol tasting
• you need to keep your afternoon completely alcohol-free
• you prefer a long, slow pace with minimal structure

It’s especially good for couples and small groups who want something memorable without the hassle of building a self-guided route through multiple venues.

Should You Book It?

Book it if you want a high-value, guided tasting that blends distillery context with serious cheese pairings, and you like the idea of shaking your own cocktail. The short duration works in your favor too: you get a complete experience without using up most of your day.

Skip it if gin and cheese pairing doesn’t sound appealing. This is not a gentle sampler with random options; it’s a focused celebration of Edinburgh Gin and IJ Mellis cheese, with four cocktail pairings and one hands-on finish.

If you’re flexible and ready to taste, this is the kind of Edinburgh activity that feels both fun and legitimately educational.

FAQ

Where is the tour meeting point?

The tour meets at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches, Arch 16, The Arches, E Market St, Edinburgh EH8 8FS, UK.

What time does it start?

It starts at 2:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes.

What’s included in the tastings?

You’ll have a welcome drink, learn about Edinburgh gin history, enjoy a distillery tour (Flavour Arch and Still Room), sip four mini classic gin cocktails paired with IJ Mellis cheeses, and you’ll also have crackers and chutneys.

Do I shake my own cocktail?

Yes. You’ll shake your own cocktail as part of the experience.

Is there an option to visit the Distillery Bar?

There is an option to visit the Distillery Bar, subject to availability.

Is it a small group?

Yes. The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Is it refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

Do they allow service animals?

Service animals are allowed.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, it’s near public transportation.