December rings in lazy days, sunny skies, and delicious libations like Gin & Tonic, and for those aficionados who’d like to take their G&T to the next level, try your hand at distilling your own elixir.

• The Inverroche Gin Academy at Four Seasons is priced at R 1’250 per person.
• The Sandton Times created its own bottle called: Sandton OriGin.
• Make the most of your Inverroche Gin Academy experience by staying over at the Four Seasons afterward.
• Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

The 12-Days of Christmas might be one of the best-known carols, but honestly, who is still gifting their true love nine ladies dancing or six geese a-laying? That’s why The Sandton Times has narrowed down the list to a few things that have caught our eye this year! It’s Day 10 of our Merry Gift Guide, as we countdown some of those must-haves for Christmastime, and today, we’re taking a look at one of favourite hands-on experiences this season: the Inverroche Gin Academy!

We headed off to experience the art of alchemy and create our very own Inverroche inspired Gin at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg. Arriving at Flames, the restaurant and bar on the Westcliff hill, the epic views of Johannesburg set the scene for what is to come.

Inverroche was founded by Lorna Scott in December 2011 in the southern Cape coastal village of Still Bay, at the tip of the African continent, where it has gone from a small home industry to the largest South African artisanal Gin brand in just 10 short years. It’s this dream of Gin world domination, or maybe just a single bottle, that excites the intimate group gathered around miniature copper pot stills and a selection of herbs, berries, liquids, and spices.

A seasoned Gin guide takes us through the detailed process, providing some in-depth background knowledge on finding the right flavour profile, what makes a great Gin, and what doesn’t, till eventually we are left to bring together our signature blend that will in due course be bottled with our own label and name.

Whilst the alcohol alchemy bubbles away, it’s time for a quick bite to eat and a chance to sample some of the latest releases from Inverroche, before heading back to our workstation and completing the final steps that bring our very own Gin to life!

The Inverroche Gin Academy includes a welcome cocktail on arrival, a two-hour Gin distillation class, two additional drinks during the class, pass around Canapes, and of course your own personalised 500ml Gin Bottle.

This Christmas, instead of a wrapped gift under the tree, take that special someone to distill their own Gin at the Four Seasons Inverroche Gin Academy from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30am to 1:30pm or from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.

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