A new reason to venture beyond the town
There are certain things you expect to do on a trip to St Andrews.
Walk the Old Course. Cross the Swilcan Bridge. Explore the cathedral ruins. Wander along West Sands.
Visiting a working gin and whisky distillery can now be added to that list.
Just a few minutes from the center of St Andrews, on the banks of the Eden Estuary at Guardbridge, Eden Mill has opened the doors to its new distillery and visitor center — a striking modern building looking back towards the St Andrews skyline.
But there is more history here than the new surroundings might suggest.
The distillery stands on the former Guardbridge paper mill site, in an area where another distillery once operated before closing towards the end of the 19th century.
More than 150 years later, the stills are running again.
Follow the spirit from still to glass
You don't need to know your botanicals from your bourbon casks to enjoy Eden Mill.
That's rather the point.
The entry-level experiences are designed to introduce visitors to either gin or whisky, taking you through the working distillery before finishing with a guided tasting.
The Classic Gin Experience explores the botanicals behind Eden Mill's Original, Golf and Love gins, while the Classic Whisky Tour introduces the process behind malt whisky and includes a selection of spirits to taste.
Both currently last around an hour and cost £26 per person.
For somebody visiting their first Scottish distillery, we'd probably start there.
But whisky enthusiasts can go considerably deeper.
For the whisky drinker
Eden Mill's Single Malt Whisky Tour moves into the distillery's single malts, while the Art of St Andrews Whisky Tour centers on three limited-edition Art of St Andrews releases, each created using distinctive cask finishes.
Then there's the one we'd be particularly tempted by.
The Cask Mastery Whisky Experience is Eden Mill's premium two-hour experience.
Guests can be collected from St Andrews before being taken behind the scenes at the distillery, including access to the Distiller's Lab, a guided tasting and the opportunity to sample maturing whisky directly from a cask in the warehouse.
It finishes upstairs with a cocktail and cheeseboard in The Lookout Bar.
At £150 per person, this isn't the tour for somebody who merely wants to find out how whisky is made.
It's for somebody who already loves it.
Gin hasn't been forgotten
Whisky might carry centuries of Scottish romance, but Eden Mill built much of its modern reputation around gin.
Alongside the Classic Gin Experience, there's a 90-minute Gin Cocktail Masterclass.
You'll taste Eden Mill's coastal gins before learning to make two cocktails with one of the distillery's mixologists.
It's an experience we'd consider particularly good for couples and groups looking for something different to do in St Andrews that doesn't involve a golf club.
Then head upstairs
Don't necessarily leave when the tour finishes.
At the top of the distillery is The Lookout Bar.
Its position overlooking the Eden Estuary is part of what makes this new distillery interesting as a visitor destination rather than simply somewhere spirits are produced.
Settle in for a cocktail and look back across the water towards St Andrews.
There is also a golf simulator — because, this close to the Home of Golf, apparently even a whisky distillery can't entirely escape the game.
You can quite literally follow a distillery tour with a dram and a virtual round of golf.
It would be difficult to make the experience much more St Andrews than that.
Make more of an afternoon of it
This is where we think Eden Mill gets particularly interesting.
Don't necessarily think of it as somewhere to drive out to, take a 60-minute tour and immediately leave.
The distillery has been designed as somewhere to spend time.
Take a tour. Have lunch or afternoon tea. Book the golf simulator. Head upstairs for a cocktail overlooking the estuary.
Eden Mill is also developing a calendar of smaller events through Eden Mill Presents, ranging from Paint & Sip sessions to acoustic Sundowners and special tastings.
Check what's happening when you're in town.
Who is Eden Mill best for?
Whisky lovers
Go beyond the introductory tour and look at the Single Malt, Art of St Andrews or Cask Mastery experiences.
Couples
A gin or whisky experience followed by cocktails in The Lookout makes a very easy afternoon away from the center of town.
Golf groups
Particularly if you want something different between rounds — and yes, there's a golf simulator.
Groups of friends
The cocktail masterclass is probably where we'd start.
First-time whisky drinkers
You don't need to arrive knowing the difference between a washback and a whisky cask. The Classic Whisky Tour is specifically designed as an introduction.
Families
Children aged eight and over can currently join the Classic Gin and Classic Whisky tours when accompanied by an adult, with soft drinks available instead of alcohol.
Know before you go
Where: Eden Mill Distillery, Eden Campus, Main Street, Guardbridge, St Andrews, KY16 0US.
From St Andrews: Around a seven-minute drive from town. The distillery is also on the main bus route between St Andrews and Dundee.
Tours: Gin and whisky experiences currently start from £26, with premium whisky experiences ranging up to £150.
Opening: The distillery currently operates seven days a week, with tours throughout the day. Advance booking is recommended.
Driving: If you're tasting, we'd use public transport or a taxi. Eden Mill also provides 'driver drams' so designated drivers can take their samples away.
Good for: Whisky, gin, couples, groups, golfers, rainy days and anyone looking for a bookable experience beyond central St Andrews.
Visit St Andrews view
Book the tour, but don't rush back into town afterwards. Give yourself time for a drink upstairs overlooking the Eden Estuary — it's the setting that turns Eden Mill from a distillery tour into a St Andrews experience.
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