Behind every delicious spirit and gin experience is the distillery where it was passionately crafted to tantalise the tongues of its tasters. Joburg and its surrounds feature a wonderful variety of distilleries, each with its own stories and unique flavours, all eager to welcome enthusiasts into their world for an education in crafting the perfect spirit.
From eye-opening tours to exquisite tastings and masterclasses that allow guests to create their own special drink, these distilleries aim to turn spirit enthusiasts into connoisseurs of the craft.
Primal Spirit Distillery: Tasting experiences
Primal Spirit Distillery is based at Victoria Yards in Johannesburg, an urban regeneration project where lush green belts of edible plants surround arts and crafts in brick warehouses. This is one of the few distilleries that make their neutral spirit from scratch.
The sustainably grown hard red wheat is milled, mashed and fermented in-house. It is then triple-distilled to create the vodka-based spirit of gin. Primal Distillery aims to create gins with distinctive flavour profiles that have a very local identity, allowing them to stand out in the market. The highest quality of ingredients, subtle balance of flavours, lots of testing, patience and determination are in each bottle produced.
Gin enthusiasts can pay the distillery itself a visit and purchase some of their fine gins, including various taster boxes.
Cost: From R275pp, book online
When: Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm. Closed on Monday and Sunday.
Where: Victoria Yards, Unit 5a, 16 Viljoen St, Lorentzville, Johannesburg
Indaba Gin School: Tastings and masterclasses
Indulge in a variety of hands-on Gin School experiences, perfect for beginner gin enthusiasts and expert gin masters alike. Sample a curated selection of gins or enjoy a gin pairing where each gin is thoughtfully paired with complementary flavours to enhance your tasting experience.
Immerse yourself in a 2-hour distillation class led by an expert gin master. You’ll explore the art of distillation as you craft your own gin from scratch, selecting a unique blend of botanicals to suit your taste.
By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a personalised bottle of handcrafted gin, created entirely by you. It’s a fun, hands-on experience for gin lovers looking to create something truly special.
Cost: See all options here
When: Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 6pm, and Saturday, 11am to 8pm. Closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
Where: Indaba Hotel, cnr. Winnie Mandela Drive & Pieter Wenning Rd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Time Anchor Distillery: A gin tasting and gin-making masterclass
Johannesburg’s Time Anchor Distillery is host to a fine gin tasting and making experience. Gin connoisseurs can visit the distillery and learn about, explore and taste special gins. The gin tasting follows a formal sit-down, taste, and discuss format, allowing guests to ask questions and engage over the three different liquids the distillery has to offer.
Through the gin-crafting experience, guests get to dive into the captivating world of gin and distillation, unlocking the secrets that make a great gin under the expert tutelage of Shanna-Rae Wilby. With a library of over 40 botanicals, guests can create their own one-of-a-kind blend.
Once the process is complete, the final step is the creation of a personalised bottle for their crafted gin.
Cost: From R350pp (tasting and masterclass) | From R795 (gin school), book online
When: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Where: 16 Dartfield Road, Sandown, Sandton
Johannesburg Distilling Company: Explore a range of gin, vodka and rum
Johannesburg Distilling’s spirits are hand-crafted in a micro-distillery in the heart of Johannesburg and draw on the city for inspiration. The distillery’s story spans more than a decade of passion for wine, beer and fine spirits, and a life-long love affair with flavour, aroma, character and exceptional mouthfeel.
The distillery, whose design strikes the perfect balance between the clinical practicality of stainless steel, the old-school warmth of copper, and the refreshing nature of organic greenery, offers both tours and tastings. The vast majority of its spirits are built from scratch, using a foundation of high-grade molasses, water and a super-secret blend of French yeasts and nutrients.
The tour and tasting combo allows guests to witness the ‘from scratch’ process that produces its beloved spirits, whilst giving them a taste of the final product.
Cost: From R300pp, book online
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Where: Shop 1, 102 Corlett Drive, Birnam, Johannesburg
African Spirit Distillery: Carefully distilled African gin
The African Spirits Distillery is a distillery specialising in the creation of rum, spirit aperitifs and gin. The distillery only uses an inimitable mix of molasses and carefully selected first-quality raw materials.
The alcohol is the result of a meticulous distillation process followed from start to finish. To give the public an intimate look into their processes, the African Spirit staff organises several excellent guided tours, tastings and events by reservation.
Bookings are essential to arrange the details of the event according to guests’ wishes, needs and budget.
Cost: Prices vary depending on the type of booking made. Book online
When: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm
Where: Unit 14, 15 Top Road, Anderbolt, Boksburg
The Navigate World Whisky Tasting Room & Whisky Bar
The Navigate World Whisky Tasting Room & Whisky Bar offers a refined space for anyone looking to explore the world of premium spirits in depth. With more than 1600 rare bottlings across whisky, rum, mezcal, and cognac, each venue offers an impressive selection available as single pours or curated tasting flights, along with a rotating collection of special releases for purchase.
Guided by knowledgeable spirit experts, guests are encouraged to ask questions, try niche flights, and uncover new favourites at their own pace. All tastings are served in 15ml half-measures, making it easier — and more affordable — to sample a broader range of exceptional spirits in one visit, including rare and high-end expressions. Traditional copita glasses elevate the experience further, enhancing the aroma, flavour and character of every pour.
Cost: Book online
When: Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 10pm, Saturday 11am to 10pm, and Sunday, 11.30am to 8.30pm. Occassionally open on Monday.
Where: Shop 17B, Ground Floor, Melrose Arch, The High St, Birnam, Johannesburg
Black Horse Brewery & Distillery: Passionately crafted organic spirits
Black Horse Brewery and Distillery, based in Black Horse Estate, has been at the forefront of craft brewing and distilling in Magaliesburg, offering unique crafting experiences to the public. Visitors can enjoy a tour of Black Horse Distillery & Brewery, where they can experience the distillation and brewing process with all five senses and receive an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how the spirits and beers are made.
The tour price includes a branded glass and a beer or gin tasting of your choice. The tour is a 45-minute production line tour, culminating in the tasting room with a tasting flight of available spirits or a beer tasting.
Guests can also opt for just a tasting option. Bookings are required for the tours, but walk-ins are welcome for the tastings.
Cost: From R322pp (tours) | R80pp (tasting), Book via Blackhorse Distillery
When: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm
Where: 32 Zeekoeihoek Road, Magaliesburg
Incendo Distillery: Tasting experiences
Looking for a spirited detour from Johannesburg? Incendo Distillery serves up a uniquely immersive craft-spirit experience just outside Hartbeespoort. Nestled against the backdrop of the Magalies Mountains, this artisanal distillery produces an award-winning range of gin, rum, whisky, brandy and liqueurs.
On Saturdays, the distillery opens its tasting room for guided tastings and tours. Choose a gin tasting, or sample rum, brandy or whisky – with options that include elegant pairings like chocolate or macarons. You’ll also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, where the distiller walks you through their craft process and experimental batches.
Cost: Bookings must be made for groups of 6 or more. Book online
When: Every Saturday, 11am to 5pm
Where: Victoria Yards, Unit 5a, 16 Viljoen St, Lorentzville, Johannesburg
Rocket Distillery
Rocket Distillery is a must-visit spot for craft spirit lovers, offering fun distillery tours and hands-on gin experiences.
Rocket Distillery gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at how craft spirits are made, with expert distillers guiding them through the process, from raw ingredients to finished bottles. There’s also the botanical room where visitors get to smell and touch different juniper berries, citrus peels, and spices, giving them a deeper understanding of how distillers build complex flavour profiles for different spirits.
Beyond the distillery education, there’s also a guided gin experience where you get to sample Rocket’s unique spirits and even make your own drink. With the three-hour Make Your Own Experience class and under the guidance of experts, you get to pick your own flavours, run the still, and bottle your creation before leaving with a personalised 500ml bottle of your own craft spirit.
Cost: From R125pp, book online.
When: Wednesday to Thursday, 9am to 4.15pm, Friday, 9am to 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Where: 79 Shad Rd, Wadeville, Germiston
The Capital Distillery: Tastings and tours
Step into the world of fine craft spirits at The Capital Distillery in Pretoria, where every pour reflects skill, creativity, and a deep respect for the art of distilling. Visitors can enjoy expertly guided tastings that introduce the distillery’s distinctive gins and small-batch spirits, each crafted with precision and character. For those looking for something truly hands-on, the immersive blending experiences allow guests to explore botanicals, experiment with flavour profiles, and create a personalised bottle to take home — an ideal keepsake or memorable gift.
Whether you’re a seasoned spirits enthusiast or simply curious about the craft behind premium distilling, The Capital Distillery offers an experience that is both educational and indulgent. With its refined setting, passionate team, and beautifully curated activities, every visit promises discovery and delight.
Cost: From R100pp, book online.
When: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm
Where: Unit 34 Sildale Park, Conveyor Road, Silvertondale, Pretoria
Explore all the craft beer distilleries and tastings in Johannesburg
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