Edinburgh: Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour (Distillery & Tasting)

Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour turns a short distillery visit into a tidy Edinburgh drinking experience. You begin with a properly poured gin and tonic, meet the stills named Gertrude and Emily, then work through four gin samples before heading home with a 5cl bottle. The distillery occupies Summerhall, a former veterinary school with an artsy, slightly eccentric feel.

I like the small-group format, which gives you room to ask questions, and I like the way the tour connects Pickering’s success story with the actual machinery. Guides including Jamie, Alyssa, Max, Emma, and Alissa have been praised for their humor and energy. The main drawback is that the tour requires standing, and one hour passes quickly if you want a long technical lesson.

Key points

• A gin and tonic starts the tour: Get settled in the Old Workshop with a drink before the distillery talk begins.
• Gertrude and Emily are the stars: You may see Pickering’s two stills steaming while the distillers work.
• Four gins are included: The tasting lets you compare different Pickering’s recipes and mixers.
• The distillery has Edinburgh significance: Pickering’s was the city’s first gin-only distillery in 150 years.
• You take home a 5cl miniature: It is a useful souvenir, though you should not assume you will seal it yourself.
• Summerhall makes a handy base: The meeting point is the Royal Dick Bar, just left of reception.

Why Pickering’s Gin Tour Works in One Hour

The appeal here is focus. You are not signing up for a half-day food-and-drink outing or a sprawling production visit. In about an hour, you get the essential pieces: a drink on arrival, a short account of the company, a look at the distillery, a guided tasting, and a small bottle for later.

That pace suits an Edinburgh sightseeing day. You can fit the tour between other plans without giving up a whole afternoon. It also means the guide has to keep things moving. If you want a long lesson on botanical chemistry or a detailed production seminar, this may feel brief. If you want a clear introduction to gin with plenty to taste, the timing is sensible.

The experience is adults only. You must be at least 18, and the staff can refuse entry if they believe you are under the influence of alcohol. That rule matters because this is a working distillery, not simply a bar with a few stills on display.

Finding the Royal Dick Bar at Summerhall

Your meeting point is the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception. Follow that instruction closely. One visitor had trouble finding the place after initially going the wrong way, so this is not the moment to wander around a large arts venue hoping to spot a gin sign.

Summerhall adds character before the tour even begins. It is an unusual setting for a distillery, and the old workshop gives the first part of the experience a good sense of place. At Christmas, nearby stalls can add a seasonal feel, though those stalls are not part of the gin tour itself.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. The tour still requires standing, so contact the provider if you need to check how that will work for your mobility needs. Most of the visit is indoors, and the tour runs in all weather, which makes it a reliable option on a wet Edinburgh day.

Starting With a Pickering’s Gin and Tonic

The tour opens in the Old Workshop with a gin and tonic. This is more than a quick welcome drink. It gives you a first taste of Pickering’s gin before you hear how the spirit is made, and the guide draws attention to the aromas in the glass.

Take a moment before drinking it. Smell the gin, notice how the tonic changes it, and pay attention to the balance of the drink. That small exercise helps later, when you compare the four samples. You will have a better sense of what you like than if you simply swallow each sample and wait for the next one.

The opening talk covers the story of the distillery and some of the inventions connected with the building. Guides such as Jamie, Alyssa, Max, Emma, and Alissa have all been singled out for making this section lively, friendly, and easy to follow. Max, in particular, has been praised for answering questions and keeping first-time gin drinkers involved.

The personal style of the guide matters here. This is a compact tour, so the guide shapes much of the experience. Jamie has been described as funny, inclusive, and generous with the jokes, while Alyssa has been praised for her enthusiasm. The tone is informal rather than academic, which works well for a tasting.

Seeing Gertrude and Emily at Work

Next, you move into the distillery itself. The main attraction is the chance to see the working equipment and possibly watch Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, steaming in action.

That possibility is worth noting. The stills may not be running at the exact moment of your visit, so do not treat live production as guaranteed. Even without steam and activity, seeing the equipment helps explain the process far better than a display panel alone.

The guide explains Pickering’s particular distilling method and shows you how the company makes its gin. You get a sense of how a small operation can grow into a successful business without losing its personal character. One useful detail from the experience is the contrast between the modest size of the shop and the scale of the business it serves.

You may also meet distillers at work or get a look into the lab. That gives the visit a practical edge. You are not only hearing a brand story. You are seeing the place where recipes are produced and tested.

The historical angle adds context. Pickering’s is described as Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years. That helps explain why the company has a particular place in the city’s modern drinks scene. The tour does not simply present gin as an old British habit. It shows how a newer Edinburgh producer built a business around it.

Four Gin Samples and the Best Part of the Visit

The final section is a guided tasting of four award-winning gins. For many people, this is the strongest part of the tour. You can compare the drinks side by side and discuss your preferences with the guide and the rest of the group.

The samples are not presented as a speed test. The guide walks you through them and may offer different mixers, which is useful if you are unsure about gin or normally find it too sharp. Try each sample with care. Notice which flavors appeal to you, how the mixer changes the drink, and which gin you would actually order in a bar.

This tasting also helps explain why a distillery tour can be worthwhile even if you are not already a gin fan. You do not need a trained palate. You only need to notice what you enjoy. The range gives you a chance to find a style that works for you instead of assuming all gin tastes alike.

Additional samples are not included, so the four pours are the core tasting allowance. If you want more drinks after the tour, you will need to pay separately. That is a fair boundary for a one-hour experience, especially since the included gin and tonic comes before the tasting.

The tasting is social, but the small group keeps it manageable. You can share your thoughts without having to speak over a large crowd. Solo visitors should find this format comfortable, since there is less risk of being lost in a big group and more chance to ask a question.

The 5cl Bottle to Take Home

The tour finishes with a complimentary 5cl miniature of Pickering’s London Dry Gin. It is small, but it makes a practical souvenir and gives you a reminder of the tasting after you leave Edinburgh.

Be aware of one changing detail. Older descriptions and past versions of the experience referred to sealing your own miniature with wax, and one account recalls doing exactly that. More recent information indicates that the bottles are already prepared and sealed in plastic. You will receive the bottle, but you should not book this tour expecting a guaranteed hands-on waxing activity.

That correction does not spoil the visit, but it is useful to know. If the bottle is your main reason for booking, the value is limited. If you see it as a bonus after the drink, tour, and four samples, it is a nice finishing touch.

What the $33 Price Really Buys You

At about $33 per person, the price covers a gin and tonic, the distillery entry and tour, four gin samples, and the 5cl miniature. For a one-hour activity, that is not bargain-basement pricing, but the package is solid if you value the tasting and the small-group setting.

The real value comes from combining several short experiences in one visit. You get a drink in a historic-feeling workshop, an explanation of the production method, a look at the working distillery, and a structured tasting. Paying for those parts separately would likely take more time and planning.

I would be less enthusiastic about the price if you do not drink alcohol or have little interest in how gin is made. The tour is built around tasting, and the miniature is also alcoholic. It is not a general Summerhall tour with a token gin sample added at the end.

For gin lovers, the price is easier to justify. You can compare four products, ask about the recipes, and buy bottles if you find a favorite. For a casual drinker, book it for the setting, the story, and the social tasting rather than expecting a major museum-style attraction.

The Guides Make the Difference

A short tour depends heavily on its guide, and Pickering’s has a strong record on that front. Jamie is repeatedly praised for being funny, welcoming, and good at bringing people into the conversation. Alyssa has been described as enthusiastic and engaging, while Max has a reputation for answering questions clearly and making first-time gin visitors feel comfortable.

That does not mean every tour will feel identical. Guide energy can vary, and the distillery itself is small. Still, the format gives a good guide plenty of room to shape the visit. You are close enough to ask about the stills, the recipes, and the company’s growth.

The informal approach is especially helpful for mixed groups. A gin expert may want to discuss production details, while a beginner may simply want to know why one sample tastes better with a certain mixer. A lively guide can serve both without making the hour feel like a classroom.

Who Should Book This Tour

You should consider booking if you:

• Like gin or want a guided introduction to it
• Prefer small, focused tours to large group visits
• Enjoy meeting the people behind a local product
• Want an indoor activity in Edinburgh
• Like tastings where you can compare several drinks
• Are visiting Summerhall or nearby parts of the city
• Want a modest, easy-to-pack souvenir

This is also a good choice for a solo visitor. The group size is generally intimate, and the tasting gives you a natural way to chat with others. Couples and friends will find it easy to fit into a sightseeing schedule.

It is not suitable for children under 18. It is also a poor match if you cannot stand for the tour, dislike alcohol, or want a long, highly technical account of distillation. Food is not allowed, so do not plan on bringing snacks into the experience.

If your party has more than eight people, arrange a private tour. Large parties split across separate public bookings may be refused entry without a refund, so this is one detail to settle before paying.

Practical Tips for a Better Visit

Arrive with the meeting point already clear. Go to reception at Summerhall, then look immediately to the left for the Royal Dick Bar. This simple step can prevent a rushed start in a venue with several rooms and entrances.

Wear shoes and clothing that are comfortable for standing. The tour lasts only an hour, but you will move between the bar, distillery, and tasting room and will not have a seat for the full visit.

Do not eat during the tour, and pace yourself with the alcohol. You receive one gin and tonic followed by four samples, so the tasting is more substantial than the phrase just a few samples may suggest.

The tour is conducted in English. If you have questions about the distilling process, ask them as they arise. The small format and engaged guides make this a better place for questions than a large commercial attraction.

You can book with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Edinburgh schedule is still shifting, but the main planning point is the departure time. Check availability before you build the rest of your day around Summerhall.

Should You Book Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact gin experience with real production equipment, four tastings, and a take-home miniature. The best parts are the guide-led storytelling, the chance to see Gertrude and Emily, and the comparison of several gins in one sitting.

Skip it if you do not drink, dislike standing, or want a long behind-the-scenes factory tour. At $33, it is best value for someone who will enjoy both the story and the tasting, not someone looking only for a quick drink.

For most adult gin fans visiting Edinburgh, I would book it. One hour is easy to fit into your plans, the indoor setting helps on poor-weather days, and the experience offers more substance than a standard bar visit.

FAQ

How long does the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour last?

The tour lasts one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $33 per person.

What drinks are included?

You receive one gin and tonic and four gin samples. Additional samples are not included.

Do I get a bottle of gin to take home?

Yes. The tour includes one 5cl miniature bottle of Pickering’s London Dry Gin.

Can I seal my own miniature bottle with wax?

You should not count on it. The current information says the miniature bottles are prepared and sealed in plastic, although an older version of the experience included self-sealing with wax.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is for people aged 18 and over, and children under 18 are not permitted.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The tour does require standing, so check with the provider if you need specific mobility arrangements.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide conducts the experience in English.