The Best Gin Tasting and Gin Experiences in Hampshire 2024
If you’re a gin fan then gin tasting is such a great activity for a night out or special occasion. You can order a premium gin flight at many bars that come with tasting notes or you can join organised gin tasting experiences where you taste gins as a group whilst being guided through them with a knowledgeable host.
Interestingly, a penchant for gin might reveal a little more about your personality than you may have initially thought. Various sources suggest that gin drinkers, especially those who enjoy a classic gin martini or a gin and tonic, tend to be seen as mysterious and intellectual individuals with a captivating presence.
There are so many gin bars and gin distilleries in Hampshire that it can be hard to know where to choose. I thought it would be good to put together all the places you can experience gin tasting in Hampshire along with Hampshire distillery tours – with many that also include gin tasting sessions – and also gin cocktail making workshops and other gin tours and gin experiences Hampshire.
Gin Cocktail Making Experiences in Hampshire
Bombay Sapphire Distillery – Laverstoke Mill, London Rd, Whitchurch RG28 7NR
Gin Cocktail Masterclass With Discovery Experience: An interactive cocktail mixology session where you can learn the tricks of the bar trade to create your own cocktails at home, in addition to a fully-guided Discovery Experience tour of the distillery beforehand.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Cost: £45 per person
Gorilla Spirits Distillery – The Workshop, Manor Farm Yard Upton Grey Road Upton Grey, Basingstoke RG25 2RQ
Cocktail Masterclass: At this Cocktail Masterclass it’s all about great drinks, great fun and friendship. You may not know the others joining you for your adventure with us but you’ll certainly be friends by the time you leave. Each guest will make at least two cocktails and we always get the party started with a large G&T!
When: Selected dates through the year.
Cost: From £55 per person
Find out more here
Gin Distillery Tours in Hampshire
Bombay Sapphire Distillery – Laverstoke Mill, London Rd, Whitchurch RG28 7NR
Discovery Experience: Your experience starts with a G&T before heading to the Cinema Room to be immersed in all things Bombay Sapphire. Explore the Bombay Sapphire Distillery with a distillery host and discover the ten exotic botanicals infused into every drop of Bombay Sapphire Gin in the Glasshouses.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Cost: £20 per person
Infusions Experience: Enjoy a fully-guided tour of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery before returning to learn everything there is to know about Bombay Bramble and Bombay Citron Presse infused gins. Enjoy a comparative tasting of both, learn how they are made, and what sets them apart from other flavoured gins, before making – and drinking – two cocktails using your choice of either with complimentary snacks to nibble on throughout.
Plus, you’ll get to take home a bottle of your favourite either Bombay Bramble or Bombay Citron Presse to enjoy at home.
When: Saturday and Sunday
Cost: £80 per person
Sunset Experience: Focusing on the Special Edition Gin, Bombay Sapphire Sunset. Enjoy a welcome cocktail before enjoying a guided tour of the Distillery. You’ll then explore different cocktail styles and learn all the skills needed to become an expert home mixologist whilst enjoying a delicious sharing platter with locally sourced Hampshire produce.
Plus, take home a 70cl bottle of Bombay Sapphire Sunset and a bar of exclusive Sunset gin-infused chocolate.
When: Saturdays
Cost: £125 per person
Premier Cru Experience: Hosted by Distillery Ambassadors, you’ll be welcomed with a Premier Cru French 75 cocktail on arrival before enjoying a guided tour of the Distillery – with exclusive, behind-the-scenes access into India House, the main gin production space where Bombay gins are distilled. You’ll see what very few people get to experience, accessing each point of the gin-making process that happens at Laverstoke Mill. A Spanish Tapas-style lunch is then served in the Mill Cafe with an accompanying Premier Cru cocktail, before returning for an immersive journey into what makes Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru so exquisite.
Plus, you’ll be presented with a personalised bottle of Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, engraved with a name or message of your choice.
When: Saturdays
Cost: £175 per person
Gorilla Spirits Distillery – The Workshop, Manor Farm Yard Upton Grey Road Upton Grey, Basingstoke RG25 2RQ
Distillery Tour: Meet Mugwaneza, the beautiful, state of the art still. Hand built to exacting requirements back in 2014 and since then she’s helped to craft many thousands of bottles of award-winning spirits.
You’ll also spend time with the expert team, learning about the world of craft spirits and distilling. With a G&T in hand you’ll learn about who Gorilla Spirits are, what they do, and why their relationship with The Gorilla Organization is so important to them.
During you time at the distillery you’ll get the chance to taste the range of products and find out what makes each of them so special.
When: Selected dates through the year.
Cost: From £25 per person
Find out more here
The Portsmouth Distillery – Fort Cumberland, Fort Cumberland Rd, Southsea PO4 9LD
Distillery Tour: Enjoy a full tour of all facilities, with expert explanations about the processes used in the creation of fine spirits. You’ll learn about the distiller’s passion and the history of historic Fort Cumberland, learn how the amazing spirits are made and visit the Powder Magazine where you’ll get to taste the fabulous core-range spirits and have a chance to soak up some of the history of The Portsmouth Distillery.
When: Weekends
Cost: From £22 per person
Winchester Distillery – Unit C St Martins, Winchester Trade Park, Nickel Cl, Winchester SO23 7RJ
Distillery Tour: Home of Twisted Nose gin. Details to follow.
When: TBC
Cost: TBC
Find out more here
WYRD Spirits – Unit 12B, Forest Corner Farm, Hangersley, Ringwood BH24 3JW
Distillery Tour: You will be expertly guided through the process of how Wyrd Gin is handcrafted in small batches, using a perfect blend of fine grain spirit, pure New Forest spring water and specially selected botanicals, discovering the secret to this beautifully smooth, classic style of gin.
This tour gives you the opportunity to find out more about the unique recipes first-hand with the chance to taste the full range of gins, the perfect way to enjoy your time in the beautiful New Forest.
When: Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: From £25 per person.
Gin Tasting Experiences in Hampshire
Firsty Foal – 2 Laburnum Cl, North Baddesley, Southampton SO52 9JT
Gin Tasting Experience: Explore the endless flavours and captivating stories behind the Hampshire Gins spirits. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, organizing a corporate outing, or simply seeking a unique experience, these Tasting Masterclasses are perfect for everyone aged 18 and above.
When: Selected dates through the year
Cost: From £35 per person
Thatched Cottage Hotel – 16 Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7RR
Gin Tasting Flight: The New Forest’s only specialist Gin Bar where you can take advantage of a collection of over 400 gins from across the world, a selection of 100 of which are served as a Gin Tasting Flight (made up of 3 small gin and tonics) across several themes.
When: Served daily
Cost: £15 per flight
Find out more here
Wessex Spirits – 21 Winchester St, Andover SP10 2EA
Gin Tasting: You will get a table to yourselves for your party upstairs in one of our beautiful tasting rooms and share the space with other people. The session lasts about 45 minutes depending on how much you all like to chat! You’re welcome to stay in the tasting room after the event and enjoy gins from the bar or head downstairs to the public space.
When: Saturdays
Cost: Contact Wessex Spirits for details.
Find out more here
Whitchurch Silk Mill – 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch RG28 7AL
Gin tasting with The River Test Distillery: Celebrate Springtime with an evening of gin tastings and food, hosted by Hampshire’s award-winning River Test Distillery. A fun and relaxed evening in beautiful and historic surroundings.
When: 22nd March 2024
Cost: £30 per person
Gin Making Experiences in Hampshire
Gorilla Spirits Distillery – The Workshop, Manor Farm Yard Upton Grey Road Upton Grey, Basingstoke RG25 2RQ
Gin School: You’ll get take charge of a fully functioning mini copper pot still. Under the guidance of in-house experts you’ll learn all about distillation and the craft of gin making. You’ll be guided through the process of designing your own gin with access to an extensive library of interesting botanicals to create a gin that is truly unique.
After distilling and naming your gin you’ll prepare a full bottle to take home with you, and there will be enough left for you to enjoy your own perfect serve G&T before you leave.
When: Selected dates through the year.
Cost: From £125 per person
WYRD Spirits – Unit 12B, Forest Corner Farm, Hangersley, Ringwood BH24 3JW
Distil Your Own Gin Experience: This experience gives you the unique opportunity to create your own individual gin recipe with specialist guidance. Using an individual 2.5L still, you will learn about the distillation process and the different botanicals that you can use to create your own distinctive recipe and personalised bottle of gin – a perfect way to enjoy your time in the beautiful New Forest.
When: Saturdays
Cost: From £95 per person
Hogmoor Distillery Gin Making Class – Signal Workshop, The Bungalow, Kildare Road, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 0HL
Gin Classes: The class will start with introductions and a brief look at the fascinating history of gin. You will then get to learn about the process of making gin. Before being guided through to the botanicals room where you can immerse yourself into the smells and tastes of all of the sumptuous ingredients that will potentially give your gin its individual personality; finishing up by choosing your unique recipe!
A buffet will be provided, giving you time to discuss all you have learned so far with your fellow course mates. Your homemade gin will then be ready for bottling and labelling and you will be able to take home your own 70cl bottle gin to share with your friends and family at the end of the course.
When: Selected dates through the year
Cost: £95 per person
The Blend Academy – Winchester Distillery, Nickel Close, Winchester SO23 RJ
Gin Blending Experience: On arrival at the Blend Academy you’ll be greeted by your host with a welcome cocktail before being invited to take your seat in the academy learning centre. The master blenders will then take you on a deep-dive masterclass into the world of gin, learning its history and laws and tasting samples from a private catalogue.
Next, you’ll be given exclusive access to the Blending Library to smell and taste the extensive range of botanicals to provide inspiration for your blend. Under the watchful eye of the master blenders you’ll then formulate your recipe, adding your unique blend of botanical distillates to your bottle before sealing and labelling.
Finally, you’ll be able to sample your blend at the bar in an expertly mixed gin-and-tonic before departing with your unique bottle to enjoy with family and friends at home.
When: Selected dates through the year
Cost: £120 per person
So there you have many gin experiences in Hampshire and beyond to give you inspiration for your next evening out or celebration. I’ll add more as I come along them and if I’ve missed your favourite experience from the list please do get in touch and let me know.
If you’re looking for other things to do in Hampshire these articles might help:
- Where to have Bottomless Brunch in Hampshire
- 45 Pubs with Play Areas in Hampshire
- Outdoor Pools in Hampshire
- Outdoor Cinema in Hampshire
- Where to go Bowling in Hampshire
- The Best Places to Have Afternoon Tea in Hampshire
