If you’re planning a trip to York and enjoy discovering local flavors, the Hooting Owl Distillery tour might just be a highlight of your visit. Based on reviews and descriptions, this experience offers more than just a tasting; it’s an engaging dive into Yorkshire’s craft spirits scene, led by passionate guides who know their stuff.
What really draws us in are the personalized storytelling about the distillery’s origins—centered around Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins—and the chance to sample a wide variety of spirits, all distilled right on-site. The friendly, guides and the relaxed atmosphere in the bar afterward are definite plus points.
That said, at just over an hour long, it’s a fairly quick experience—so if you’re after an in-depth, lengthy tour, this could feel a bit light. But for most, the value packed into this short session makes it worth considering, especially if you’re a fan of gin or spirits in general. It’s great for those who like a mix of education, fun tasting opportunities, and a friendly vibe.
It's absolutely brilliant maybe have a bit of lunch as they are very generous with the gin tom the tour guide very good
Great value, interesting, fun, great tasting gins, lovely lounge area and great central location so easy to get to. Was nice to be in a small working dustillery whrre uou get up close with the equipment rather than from afar. Tom was engaging, friendly, answered all our questions and was generally just a great host! Highly recommend. Purchases were made at the end as they were great!
A great experience! Very good value for money. We were greeted by our host Tom and offered a welcome drink. We then headed into the distillery and Tom was very knowledgeable about the gin making process and also very entertaining. We then headed into the bar area where we were able to sample a few of their most popular products, again Tom was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We would definitely recommend this tour. 10/10.
This tour is well-suited for adults with an interest in spirits, convivial groups, or anyone curious about the craft of gin and other spirits. It’s also a good choice if you want a lively, engaging experience without a full-day commitment.
- Key Points
- An In-Depth Look at the Tour Experience
- From the Moment You Arrive
- Touring the Distillery
- Tasting the Spirits
- Relaxing in the Bar
- Additional Perks
- What Makes This Tour Stand Out
- The Value for Money
- Who This Tour Is Perfect For
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
- More Food & Drink Experiences in York
- More Tours in York
- More Tour Reviews in York
Key Points
- Personalized experience: Led by a master distiller, with stories about the distillery’s history and Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins.
- Variety of samples: Taste 25 different spirits, including gin, rum, or vodka, all made on-site.
- Relaxed atmosphere: Stay afterward in the bar to unwind and enjoy more drinks.
- All costs included: Price covers the tour, tastings, and a welcome drink—no hidden fees.
- Family-friendly: Service animals allowed, and the activity is suitable for adults interested in spirits.
- Good value: At around $41, the experience offers a solid mix of education and tasting for the price.
An In-Depth Look at the Tour Experience
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in York
From the Moment You Arrive
The experience begins at the Hooting Owl Distillery, located conveniently at 1 Rougier St, York. The tour is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm, and the small group size—capped at 12 travelers—means you’ll get a more personal feel. As soon as you arrive, you’re welcomed with a Hooting Owl branded gin, rum, or vodka served with a mixer of your choice, setting a friendly tone.
Touring the Distillery
The core of the experience is the distillery tour, which lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. The guide, often described as knowledgeable and engaging, takes you through the entire process of distilling spirits. Expect to learn about what makes Hooting Owl’s recipes special and the history behind Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins—an amusing legend that adds character to the experience.
The tour includes a “virtual” journey through Yorkshire, where stories about the ingredients, techniques, and creative process are shared in an accessible way. It’s clear that the guides take pride in their craft, and reviewers consistently praise their story-telling skills.
This is such a fun tour for anyone interested in gin. Mark was a great guide and all the staff at Hooting Owl were fabulous. We also had the opportunity to meet & chat with Hooting Owl’s founder. The guided tasting was fun & we definitely knew more about gin & Hooting Owl when it concluded. Loved the variety of gin so there’s likely something for everyone at Hooting Owl A great place to spend a few hours in York
The Hooting Owl Distillery is a fantastic place to visit. We did the distillery tour and tasting which was a brilliant experience, all the more so for Tom who made it a truly memorable time. Would highly recommend booking the tour to anyone who loves gin.
Our guide Tom gave a very good informative talk about how the gin was made. We got a gin on arrival, then a tasting of other Hooting Owl gins after the talk. My wife and I really enjoyed the whole experience, especially the gift at the end. Thank you.
One reviewer mentioned, “Tom was excellent as the tour guide; he knew his stuff,” which highlights the level of expertise and enthusiasm you can expect.
Tasting the Spirits
After the educational part, the fun continues with a full measure of your choice from their range of 25 artisan spirits. That’s quite a selection, and you’re encouraged to sample multiple options. Reviewers often highlight how generous the tastings are—one mentioned, “so many samples, and the rum was excellent”—which means you’ll leave feeling well-informed and pleasantly tipsy.
One of the remarkable aspects is the variety of spirits available for sampling, including gin, rum, and vodka, all crafted on-site. Some guests have remarked that even non-gin drinkers found themselves won over by the quality and flavors of the spirits.
Relaxing in the Bar
Once the tour concludes, you’re invited to stay and soak up the atmosphere in the bar. It’s open from 11 am to 11 pm, so if you want to swing by earlier or hang around longer, you can. Many reviews mention how the friendly staff and lively environment make for a relaxing finish to the experience.
Excellent gin tasting experience, great atmosphere- Tom was a great host. Will come again when we’re on York
Tom was amazing, his tour was thorough and informative. We learned all about gin and got to do a tasting. Excellent experience, highly recommended.
what a brilliant day we had from start to finish, Tom was excellent as the tour guide he knew his stuff , and the tasting was class
It’s a nice chance to chat with locals or other visitors, perhaps try some additional drinks, or simply enjoy the vibe.
You can also read our reviews of more guided tours in York
Additional Perks
Slices of pizza are available if you want to grab a bite, which is a great way to balance out the alcohol. There are no extra hidden fees—everything from the tasting to the guide’s commentary is included in the price of $41.18 per person.
What Makes This Tour Stand Out
The personal touch of guides sharing stories about Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins and the history of the spirits creates an engaging narrative that elevates this beyond just a tasting session. Many guests have raved about the friendly and professional hosts, with comments like “Martin was very professional and informative, as well as entertaining and fun.”
The variety of spirits offered and the fact that they’re all distilled on-site mean you’re tasting fresh, local products rather than mass-produced spirits. That connection to local craftsmanship really appeals to those who value authenticity.
This was such a wonderful experience! Tom was an outstanding guide with top shelf knowledge of the incredible spirits distilled at Hooting Owl. The group of strangers on our tour quickly became friends and we all enjoyed the fine selection of carefully crafted small-batch gins plus a few little surprises that Tom provided. At the end, we were gifted with a commemorative glass etched with our name! If you’re looking for a unique experience that won’t break the bank, look no further. You won’t find a better value. Use the extra funds to take home a bottle of their delicious gin!!
Amazing tasting tour. Our guide Tom was extremely knowledgeable and made the tasting extremely fun. Will definitely go back again.
Excellent afternoon. Our host Martin was very professional and informative as well as entertaining and fun. Coping with a group of 12-13 ladies all very excited and tipsy by the end of the afternoon can not have been easy. Big thank you to him for making it so enjoyable. I would highly recommended.
The Value for Money
At around $41, this experience offers a lot of value—a guided tour, 25 spirits to sample, and a welcoming atmosphere. Considering many similar experiences might charge extra for tastings or longer tours, this package feels quite comprehensive. Plus, reviews show visitors leaving with a good understanding of the distilling process and a few bottles in hand.
Who This Tour Is Perfect For
If you’re someone who enjoys spirits—especially gin—you’ll likely find this tour rewarding. The small group setting and guides make it great for those who want a relaxed yet informative experience. It’s also suitable for adults interested in local craftsmanship and story-telling, not just the tasting.
While not explicitly aimed at families or children, those with a genuine interest in spirits or a penchant for lively, friendly atmospheres will get the most out of this experience. If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and engaging activity in York that combines history, craft, and tasting, this tour hits the mark.
Final Thoughts
The Hooting Owl Distillery tour in York offers a balanced mix of storytelling, craftsmanship, and generous tastings. Its small-group size, friendly guides, and focus on local spirits make it a memorable experience for adults who appreciate good drinks and good stories.
What a lovely informative day. Martin our guide was very engaging and great fun. So many samples the rum was excellent also
Absolutely fantastic afternoon! Attended with my Fiancé for his birthday and we had such a good time. Mark was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the product. We will be purchasing some of the gin and will most likely return with family on our next trip to york. Top Tip: eat lots of carbs before hand
One of the best Gin tours we have done. Tom our tour guide was great. We tasted lots of different gins which were fantastic and even tasted the rums which were delicious. Dom the owner was great to chat with and the bar staff were super friendly and nothing was a bother for them. Highly, highly recommended. To top it off, the gift at the end was superb.
The price reflects a solid value, especially since all fees are included, and the relaxed bar setting after the tour adds to the overall charm.
It’s great for those wanting a well-rounded, enjoyable afternoon—no fuss, just authentic spirits and friendly faces.
Hooting Owl Distillery York – Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting
"It's absolutely brilliant maybe have a bit of lunch as they are very generous with the gin tom the tour guide very good"
FAQ
Is this tour suitable for children or families?
This experience is designed for adults, mainly because of the tasting component. Service animals are allowed, but the activity itself is best suited for grown-ups interested in spirits.
How long does the tour last?
The guided tour and tasting take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. It’s a fairly quick experience, making it ideal if you’re looking for a shorter activity.
What’s included in the price?
The ticket covers the guided tour, a welcome drink of gin, rum, or vodka with a mixer, and a full measure from their range of 25 spirits. No hidden costs—any extras, like pizza, are optional.
Can I stay at the distillery after the tour?
Yes, you’re welcome to stay and enjoy the bar, which is open until 11 pm. It’s a great chance to relax, chat, or try more drinks.
What spirits can I expect to taste?
You can sample a variety of spirits distilled on-site, including gin, rum, and vodka. Many reviewers mention the high quality and flavor variety.
What’s the maximum group size?
The tour operates with a maximum of 12 travelers, providing a more intimate experience and better interaction with your guide.
Planning to explore York? If you’re into spirits or just looking for a fun, authentic local experience, the Hooting Owl Distillery tour is definitely worth considering. It combines good storytelling, quality drinks, and a friendly atmosphere—all at a fair price.
