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

Pickering’s Gin Jolly is a compact Edinburgh tour with a clear reward: you learn how the gin is made, taste four different samples, and leave with a small bottle of London Dry gin. The most interesting part is the setting at Summerhall, where the old workshop, distillery, and tasting room fit into a lively one-hour visit.

I like the small-group feel and the way the tour moves from story to stills to tasting without wasting time. I also like that guides such as Max, Jamie, Alyssa, and Emma bring plenty of energy to the history and answer questions well. The main drawback is that you must stand for the tour, and the tasting is for adults only.

Key points at a glance

• Four gin samples follow a full gin and tonic, so you can compare the drinks rather than judge the distillery from one taste.
• Gertrude and Emily are the working stills, and you may see them steaming during the visit.
• Summerhall’s Old Workshop gives the tour a useful sense of place, with stories about the inventions and early growth of Pickering’s.
• The one-hour format suits a busy Edinburgh schedule, though it leaves little time for a slow look around.
• A 5cl miniature bottle is included, giving you a practical souvenir instead of only a tasting glass.
• The tour is adults-only and requires standing, details worth considering before you book.

Starting with a gin and tonic at Summerhall

Your meeting point is the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after Reception. Follow the meeting directions closely, since the Summerhall complex has several rooms and entrances. This is not a tour that begins at a large street-front shop, so knowing the exact starting point saves time.

The first drink is a properly poured gin and tonic in the Old Workshop. That opening matters because it gives you a familiar reference point before the tasting begins. You can take in the aroma, taste the balance of gin and mixer, and then listen to how Pickering’s style developed.

The Old Workshop also sets up the story of the company. You hear about the inventions connected with the distillery and how a small operation grew into a successful business. The story is not treated as a dry timeline. Guides use the room, equipment, and brand details to show how the company found its place in Edinburgh.

Guides have different styles, but the recurring strength is clear: they keep the talk lively. Max has been especially good at answering questions and making the session engaging. Jamie brings an easy sense of humor, while Alyssa has a warm, enthusiastic approach. Emma has also led tours that explain the brand story and production process in a clear way.

The guide can shape the feel of the hour, since the group is small enough for questions. That makes this a better choice for curious drinkers than for anyone who only wants a quick sample and a photo. You have room to ask how the gin is made, why different varieties taste different, and what goes into building a small distillery.

Why Pickering’s story matters in Edinburgh

Pickering’s is presented as Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years. That detail gives the visit a useful local angle. You are not only tasting a generic spirit in Scotland’s capital. You are hearing how gin returned to a city with a long connection to whisky and other drinks.

The company’s success story is part of the appeal. The tour shows how a relatively small operation can produce a wide range of locally made gins and build a strong following. One useful point is that the business still feels personal, even as the company has grown.

I find that scale important. A huge industrial facility can show you machinery, but it can also make the process feel remote. Here, the tour focuses on the people, the recipes, the stills, and the decisions behind the product. You get a closer look at the making of gin rather than a broad factory presentation.

The visit also works for people who are unsure about gin. You do not need to arrive as a committed gin drinker. The guides explain the drink in plain terms, and the later tasting uses different mixers, allowing you to notice how each gin changes with what is added.

Meeting Gertrude and Emily in the distillery

After the Old Workshop, the group moves into the distillery. This is the most practical part of the tour. You meet the distillers at work and learn about the special distillation process used for Pickering’s gin.

The two stills are named Gertrude and Emily. You may see them steaming during the visit, though they will not necessarily be operating every time. That small point is worth keeping in mind. The tour offers a chance to see the stills in action, not a promise that every visit will catch the full production process at the same stage.

The guide explains how the distillation works and points out different parts of the setup. You may also get a look into the lab. This makes the production feel more real than a simple talk beside a display bottle. You see that the drink depends on careful steps, not just a mysterious recipe hidden behind the label.

This section is especially useful if you like learning how food and drink are made. A home gin maker or anyone curious about botanicals and distillation can get more from the tour by asking questions here. One couple with a strong interest in making gin found the small setting useful because it allowed detailed questions and a close view of the process.

The drawback is that the distillery is a working space, not a large visitor attraction. The focus is on explanation and observation. If you expect a long route through many rooms or a full production show, this one-hour tour may feel brief. Its strength is the direct contact with a smaller operation.

Four gins, four chances to find your favorite

The final part is the tasting, held in the next room. You sample four award-winning gins and share your reactions with the group. This is where the earlier explanation pays off, because you can connect the production method with what you taste.

I like the order of the experience. Starting with a gin and tonic gives you a relaxed introduction. The four samples then let you compare the range of Pickering’s products in a more focused way. You can think about aroma, strength, flavor, and the effect of different mixers instead of simply drinking one prepared serve.

The tasting is also a good reason for uncertain gin drinkers to book. Different mixers help show that gin is not one fixed flavor. A sample that seems too strong or too sharp on its own may work better with another mixer. The guide can talk you through those changes and help you decide which style suits you.

Do not expect unlimited pours. Additional samples are not included, so the four provided tastings are the core of this part of the visit. That is enough for a focused introduction, but people planning a larger drinking session should account for extra purchases separately.

The mood is social without needing a large crowd. You can discuss your favorite sample with the group, but the tour does not depend on everyone being an expert. That makes it comfortable for a first gin tour and still useful for someone who already knows the drink.

The miniature bottle is a useful souvenir

At the end, you receive a 5cl miniature bottle of London Dry gin. It is a small amount, but it gives you something tangible to take home and makes the $33 price easier to judge.

One point needs clearing up. Some activity details have suggested that you might seal your own miniature with wax. The bottle is provided, but current information says it arrives already prepared and sealed in plastic. You should not book expecting a hands-on waxing activity.

Earlier tour formats may have included a more active bottle-sealing element, which explains the confusion. The important thing is that the miniature itself is included. It is a neat souvenir and a way to revisit the tasting after your Edinburgh visit.

If you enjoy the gin, you may also want to buy more bottles, though extra purchases are not part of the tour price. The tour gives you enough samples to make a more informed choice instead of buying blindly.

Is $33 good value for one hour?

At $33 per person, this is not the cheapest bar tasting in Edinburgh. But the price includes more than drinks: you get entry to the distillery, a guided look at production, one gin and tonic, four gin samples, and a 5cl bottle.

I consider that fair value for someone who wants a proper introduction to Pickering’s Gin. The tour combines education and tasting, and the small-group format gives the guide room to answer questions. The miniature also adds value for anyone who likes a physical souvenir.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want a large amount of alcohol. This is a structured tasting, not a drinking session. You receive measured samples, and additional samples cost extra. Book it for the story, the production visit, and the chance to compare several gins.

The one-hour length helps with planning. You can fit it into a day of sightseeing without giving up half an afternoon. At the same time, you should arrive ready to move through the stops at a steady pace. There is no long pause for wandering around or sitting over a drink.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This tour suits gin lovers, curious beginners, couples, solo visitors, and small groups of friends. Solo visitors can find the small group format especially comfortable, since the guide has time to include individual questions and you are not lost in a large crowd.

It also suits anyone interested in independent food and drink production. The tour keeps the company’s scale visible, and the chance to see the stills and meet distillers adds substance to the tasting.

The tour is less suitable for children, anyone under 18, or anyone who does not want to stand. Food is not allowed, and the distillery cannot serve people who are under the influence of alcohol. A guide can refuse entry in that situation without a refund.

Groups of more than eight should arrange a private tour. If a large group books separate places on a public tour, entry may be refused without a refund. That rule matters for birthday groups, work outings, and large family parties.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, but it still requires standing. If that is difficult for you, check the practical arrangements before booking rather than assuming accessibility removes the standing requirement.

Timing, weather, and planning your visit

The tour operates in all weather because most of it takes place indoors. That makes it a useful rainy-day choice in Edinburgh, though you still need to reach Summerhall and move between the designated rooms.

Wear something comfortable for standing. The tour requires you to remain on your feet for much of the hour, and the tasting comes after the production section rather than at the beginning.

English is the tour language, with a live guide. The personalities vary, but the strongest guides make the hour feel friendly and easy to follow. Max, Jamie, Alyssa, and Emma have each led tours praised for clear explanations, humor, enthusiasm, and a welcoming approach.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly?

Book this tour if you want more than a drink at a bar. In one hour, you get the Pickering’s story, a look at Gertrude and Emily, an explanation of the distillation process, five tasting opportunities in total, and a miniature bottle to take home.

I would especially choose it for a gin beginner, a curious solo visitor, or anyone who enjoys small producers and direct explanations. The $33 price is reasonable when you value the guide, the distillery access, and the four-gin comparison.

Skip it if you dislike standing, want a long leisurely tasting, or expect to seal your own bottle with wax. For most adults interested in gin, though, this is a focused and friendly way to spend an hour at Summerhall.

FAQ

Where does the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour begin?

Meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after Reception.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts one hour.

What drinks are included?

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

Do I take home a bottle of gin?

Yes. The tour includes one 5cl miniature bottle of London Dry gin.

Can I see the stills during the tour?

You may see Pickering’s two stills, Gertrude and Emily, in operation. They may be steaming during your visit, but the tour does not guarantee that they will be running at that exact time.

Is the tour suitable for anyone under 18?

No. The tour is for adults aged 18 and over.

Does the tour require standing?

Yes. The tour requires you to stand.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.