Is a Gin Masterclass Worth the Money? What You Get From a North Melbourne Distillery
At $178 per person, a gin masterclass is a fair chunk of money for a weekend outing, so it makes sense to ask whether it’s worth it. We run a gin making class in Melbourne every Saturday and Sunday, which means we’re a little biased; however, we’d rather you book knowing exactly what you’re getting. Here’s a clear look at what happens in the room, what’s included in the price and who tends to love it most. You’ll also find a few practical things worth knowing before you book, from resting your gin to buying a voucher for someone else.
What Happens at a Gin Making Class in Melbourne?
Our gin masterclass runs for two and a half hours at our bar and tasting rooms on Errol Street, North Melbourne, with a gin cocktail to start. You’ll choose botanicals for your own recipe and run it through your own mini still, then finish with a tasting of our full range. Every guest walks out with a 500ml bottle of their own signature gin, made to a recipe nobody else has.
A cocktail and a crash course
Every class opens with a gin cocktail in hand, which sets a relaxed tone and helps a room full of strangers or friends settle in quickly. Your gin guide then walks you through the basics of distilling, covering what the base spirit does, how botanicals shape flavour and how balance comes together. No prior knowledge is needed; plenty of our guests arrive having never thought much past a gin and tonic.
Building your own recipe
This is the part people talk about afterwards, because it’s where your gin starts to reflect your own taste rather than ours. You’ll smell and taste a spread of botanicals, many of them native Australian, and then choose the blend that appeals to you most. Some guests go bright and citrusy, while others lean towards floral, spicy or earthy notes. Your guide helps you balance whatever you choose, so the finished gin is drinkable rather than just interesting.
Running your own mini still
Next, your recipe goes into your own mini still, and you’ll watch the distillation happen right in front of you. While it runs, you’ll learn how flavours are extracted and how distillers decide which cuts to keep for the final spirit. It’s hands-on without being fiddly; interestingly enough, this is often when the quieter people in a group become the most competitive.
Tasting the full range
While your gin finishes, we pour a complete tasting of the Here’s Looking At You Kid range, with a cheeseboard alongside to snack on. It’s a great chance to compare your creation with ours, and to notice how different botanicals change the character of each gin. Most people leave with a firm favourite, a few new cocktail ideas and a much better sense of what they actually like.
How Much Does a Gin Masterclass Cost, and What’s Included?
A gin masterclass at our distillery costs $178 per person, covering a welcome cocktail, expert guidance, your mini still session and a full tasting. You also take home a 500ml bottle of your signature gin, and you’ll receive 15% off every bottle you buy after class. That discount adds up quickly if you like to shop on the day, whether for yourself or for a gift.
It helps to see the price as several things bundled together, rather than a single activity with a single payoff. You’re paying for an experience, a guided tasting and a bottle of gin that nobody else in the world owns. Our retail gins sit at $89 a bottle in the online shop, so the masterclass covers a bottle of your own plus two and a half hours of entertainment.
What isn’t included
The one thing the class isn’t is a meal; the cheeseboard is there to go with the tasting, not to replace lunch or dinner. We suggest eating before or after your session, and Errol Street has plenty of cafés and restaurants if you’d like to make a full day of it. Or you can head next door to The Courthouse Hotel and try the gin we made especially for them!
Making the most of your discount
Guests often use the after-class discount to pick up a gift or restock their home bar before heading off. It’s also the perfect time to buy a bottle you loved during the tasting, while the flavour is still fresh in your mind. Our cocktail recipes page is full of ideas for putting those bottles to good use at home.
Who Gets the Most Out of a Gin Making Class?
The class suits almost anyone over 18 who enjoys a drink and a bit of hands-on fun, whatever their level of gin knowledge. It works especially well for small social groups, celebrations and curious gin lovers who want to learn how their favourite spirit is made. With a maximum of ten guests per class, it stays personal enough for proper questions and plenty of relaxed conversation.
Friend groups and clubs
Book clubs, mothers’ groups and sporting clubs are some of our favourite bookings, because everyone gets involved and nobody sits on the sidelines. Each person leaves with their own bottle too, which is a much nicer souvenir than a shared bar tab. Private masterclasses for more than two people can be booked directly with Liz at times to suit, and group discounts are available on request. Get in touch to start planning yours, and we’ll help you find a date that works for the whole group.
Birthdays, hens and date days
A gin making class in Melbourne makes an easy celebration, since it’s social, a little bit fancy and needs no planning from the guest of honour. Couples book it as a date too, and one guest who came with her partner for a birthday said the class was worth every penny. If you’re planning something bigger, our events and functions page has more options for celebrating in North Melbourne.
Gin lovers who want to learn
Maybe you already know your London Dry from a contemporary gin; even so, you’ll still come away having learnt plenty. Your host is an experienced distiller and a qualified trainer and assessor, so technical questions are more than welcome. You see, once you understand cuts and balance, you’ll never taste a gin in quite the same way again.
What Do Guests Say About Our Gin Masterclass?
Our distillery has more than 30 reviews on Google, and the same themes appear again and again; guests learn more than they expected and love their finished gin. They also enjoy the relaxed, social feel of the room. A few stories stand out, because they answer the “is it worth it” question far better than we could on our own.
From someone who has visited nearly 100 distilleries
Laura F. has visited close to 100 distilleries and cellar doors across Australia, so she has plenty to compare us against. She described our gin making masterclass as one of the most unique experiences she’d come across, calling it “a must for a spirits lover, or science nerd.”
The guest who came back twice
Damien M. took one of Liz’s masterclasses and said the result was the best gin he had ever tasted. He has since returned twice to have more of his recipe made, which says more about lasting value than any price comparison could.
A gift that went beyond expectations
Andrew L. received a masterclass voucher as a present and said the class exceeded everything he’d hoped for. He loved that it felt informative yet casual, with a knowledgeable host, a tasting of every gin in the range and a homemade gin that smelt amazing.
A venue that makes group events easy
Charles C. hosted a meetup with us and praised how smoothly everything ran, from the space and atmosphere to Liz’s flexibility on the day. For clubs and small businesses planning a get-together, that kind of feedback matters just as much as the quality of the gin.
Gin Making Class vs Gin Tasting: Which Is Better Value?
A gin tasting lets you sample finished spirits, while a gin making class lets you create your own and then taste the range as well. If you want to learn something and leave with a personal keepsake, the class offers far more for your money. For a quick catch-up over a drink, though, a tasting or a relaxed bar visit may suit you better.
Tastings are brilliant for a short visit, giving you several spirits to try and the story behind each one. On the other hand, a masterclass gives you the full picture; you learn why each gin tastes the way it does, then prove it by making one. That being said, not every outing needs to run for two and a half hours. Our bar and tasting rooms are there for an easy afternoon drink when you simply want to sample and chat.
Things to Know Before You Book
Classes run every Saturday and Sunday, with two sessions each day, and spots are limited to ten guests, so booking ahead is essential. It’s worth planning to eat separately, giving your gin time to rest and grabbing a voucher if the class is a gift. Our FAQs page answers most other questions you might have before your visit.
Choosing a session
Popular weekends fill fast, especially around birthdays, Mother’s Day and the lead-up to Christmas, so it pays to plan ahead. Check the masterclass booking page for current session times and availability; groups wanting a set date should book early or arrange a private session.
Resting your gin
Your gin will taste better with a little patience, so we recommend letting it rest for around ten days before you open it. That short wait gives the flavours time to settle and round out, and it makes the first pour at home feel like a proper occasion.
Gift vouchers
Buying for someone else? Our gin masterclass gift voucher is emailed to the recipient within minutes, and they can choose whichever session suits them. It takes the guesswork out of gifting, which is handy for birthdays, anniversaries or anyone who seems to have everything already. If you’re holding a voucher from another provider, you can redeem it easily through our masterclass page.
Why Book at a North Melbourne Distillery?
Australia now has hundreds of craft distilleries, so choosing where to book matters more than it used to. Ours is a family-run, small batch distillery inspired by the charm and romance of Casablanca, using a unique blend of native Australian botanicals. That means small classes, a hands-on distiller and gin with a real sense of place, rather than a generic experience you could have anywhere.
The growth of local distilling has been remarkable; according to the Australian Distillers Association, Australia has gone from just 28 distilleries in 2014 to more than 600. That’s great news for drinkers, although it also makes the choice harder when you’re looking for a class worth your weekend.
Our copper pot still, Eliza Jane, distils every drop we make, and Liz, our Master Distiller, began her career as a chef. That food background shows in how she builds flavour, balancing botanicals the way a good cook balances a dish. Then again, the best reason might be simpler: you’ll be learning inside a working craft distillery, not a hired function room.
So, Is It Worth It?
For most people, the answer is yes; you get a genuinely fun afternoon, a real understanding of gin and a bottle that’s entirely yours. Not many $178 outings leave you with something to open and enjoy ten days later, let alone something you made yourself.
If that sounds like your kind of weekend, book your gin making class in Melbourne today, or grab a gift voucher for someone special. Share this with the friend who keeps saying you should all try something different, and join our Crew Gin subscription to keep the good gin coming.
