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

Pickering’s Gin Jolly is a compact, personal look at how Edinburgh gin is made. You begin with a well-poured gin and tonic, hear how the distillery grew, then meet the stills, Gertrude and Emily, before tasting four different gins. It is a neat way to see the first gin-only distillery in Edinburgh in 150 years.

I like the mix of hands-on production details and relaxed tasting. I also like the small-group feel, which lets guides such as Jamie, Max, Alyssa, and Emma answer questions instead of rushing through a script. The little 5cl bottle at the end adds real value to the $33 price.

The main thing to know is that this is a standing tour, and the tasting comes after the production visit, not as a long sit-down session. It is also strictly for people aged 18 and over, and anyone who appears under the influence can be refused entry without a refund.

Key points at a glance

• Start with a gin and tonic: Your first drink is served in the Old Workshop before the distillery visit begins.
• See Edinburgh’s first gin-only distillery in 150 years: The tour connects Pickering’s story to the city’s long-running gin tradition.
• Meet Gertrude and Emily: These are the two stills used at the distillery, and you may see them working.
• Taste four award-winning gins: The tasting gives you several styles and mixers to compare.
• Take home a 5cl miniature: Your complimentary London Dry Gin makes a useful souvenir or a small nightcap.
• Plan for a one-hour, adults-only visit: The tour is wheelchair accessible but requires standing.

A small distillery with a big story

Pickering’s Gin Jolly takes place at Summerhall, an arts and events venue in Edinburgh. The distillery is not presented as a huge industrial plant. That is part of its appeal. You get a closer look at a small company that has turned a local operation into a successful gin business.

I like tours that explain why a product tastes the way it does, and this one aims to do exactly that. You hear about the inventions developed at the distillery, the company’s growth, and the ideas behind its gin. The story gives the tasting more purpose. You are not simply handed four glasses and told which one you prefer.

The distillery also has a useful place in Edinburgh’s modern food and drink story. Pickering’s is described as the first gin-exclusive distillery in the city for 150 years. That fact gives the visit some context, especially if you are interested in how local producers have brought small-batch spirits back into the city.

The tour lasts about an hour. That is long enough to cover the process and taste the products, but short enough to fit neatly into a day of sightseeing. I would not treat it as a full afternoon activity. Think of it as a focused stop that works well before dinner, after visiting Summerhall, or during a rainy spell in Edinburgh.

Finding the Royal Dick Bar at Summerhall

You meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar, immediately to the left after reception inside Summerhall. Follow the directions in your booking details closely. One visitor found the meeting point hard to locate at first, so do not assume the distillery entrance will be obvious from the street.

The Royal Dick Bar is the starting point, not just a place to wait. From there, the guide takes you into the Old Workshop for the opening drink and introduction. Arriving a little early gives you time to find Summerhall and get settled without cutting into the one-hour visit.

The setting adds character. Summerhall is a former veterinary school complex, and the Old Workshop gives the first part of the tour a distinctive backdrop. The experience is not simply a tasting-room presentation in an anonymous shop. You move through a working cultural venue before entering the distillery itself.

If you visit around Christmas, seasonal stalls at Summerhall may add to the atmosphere. That detail is not guaranteed throughout the year, but December can make this stop feel especially festive.

The opening gin and tonic in the Old Workshop

The tour begins with a perfectly poured gin and tonic. This is a useful first step because it lets you taste Pickering’s gin in a familiar format before the more structured sampling begins.

The guide uses the drink to introduce the company and its story. You hear about the inventions associated with the distillery, how the business developed, and what makes its approach different. Guides have included Jamie, Max, Alyssa, Emma, and others, and the strongest part of the experience depends on their ability to explain the details in a lively way.

The guide-led format works well for questions. Jamie has been praised for combining humor with clear explanations, while Max has been noted for answering questions and keeping first-time gin drinkers involved. Alyssa has also led tours for very small groups, giving people with a strong interest in gin more time to ask about the process.

I would pay attention during this first section rather than treating the G&T as a warm-up drink only. The explanation of the brand helps you understand the samples later. You may also hear about the many small inventions born at the distillery, which adds a practical angle to the company story.

Inside the distillery with Gertrude and Emily

After the Old Workshop, you move into the distillery. Here you meet the distillers at work and learn how Pickering’s gin is made. The main attraction is the chance to see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, possibly in steaming action.

Seeing equipment in use gives the process a more concrete feel. Instead of hearing only a general explanation of distillation, you can connect the guide’s words to the stills and the working room around you. If you are curious about making gin yourself, this is the section where you will want to ask questions.

The scale matters. A small distillery can give the visit a more personal feel than a large factory tour, but it also means the working space may be tighter. The tour requires standing, so wear comfortable shoes and plan accordingly. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but anyone who needs to sit for long periods should consider the standing requirement before booking.

The distillery is indoors for most of the visit, so the tour runs in all weather. Edinburgh rain will not ruin the plan. You may still want a coat for getting to Summerhall and moving around the venue, but the main tour does not depend on sunshine.

Four gins, several mixers, and a proper comparison

The final part is a guided tasting of four award-winning gins. You are invited to share your thoughts about each sample with the group. This makes the tasting more useful than simply drinking four small measures in quick succession.

I like that the samples give you a chance to compare. Gin can change a great deal depending on its botanical profile and the mixer used. The tasting includes different mixers, which helps if you are new to gin or unsure about drinking it neat.

You do not need to arrive as a committed gin fan. The range of samples gives you room to work out what you like. A dedicated gin drinker can focus on the distinctions between varieties, while a beginner can see how the spirit changes with different mixers.

Additional samples are not included, so budget separately if you want more drinks after the four pours. The included tasting is the core of the visit, not an open-ended bar session. Food is not allowed on the tour, so plan any meal before or after.

The tasting is also social. You can share reactions with the group, and the small setting makes it easier to ask the guide why one gin tastes different from another. If you are visiting alone, this can be a friendly format because the activity gives you an easy shared subject from the start.

The miniature bottle and what the price includes

At the end, you take home a 5cl miniature bottle of London Dry Gin. It is a modest souvenir, but it is also a useful part of the value. You receive something tangible after the tour, rather than only a short talk and a few samples.

One detail needs clarifying. Some older descriptions of the activity suggested that you would seal your own bottle with wax. That is not reliable. The miniature bottles are already prepared and sealed in plastic. You still receive the bottle, but you should not book expecting a wax-sealing activity.

At $33 per person, the tour includes:

• Entry to Pickering’s Distillery
• A one-hour guided visit
• One gin and tonic
• Four gin samples
• One 5cl miniature bottle of London Dry Gin

I consider that fair value if you want both a production visit and a tasting. You are paying for the guide’s explanation, access to the distillery, five drinks in total if you count the opening G&T, and the take-home bottle. It is less attractive if you only want a quick drink, since Edinburgh has plenty of bars where you can order gin without booking a tour.

The price also makes more sense for people who enjoy learning how drinks are made. You are not simply paying for alcohol. You are paying for the story, the equipment, the tasting guidance, and access to the distillery.

Group size, guide style, and the best time to book

The tour can feel intimate, especially when the group is small. One very small booking became almost a private visit, which allowed plenty of time for questions about distillation. That type of setting is particularly useful if you are interested in making your own gin or want to understand the technical side.

For groups of eight or more, arrange a private tour. Do not split a large party into separate public bookings. Groups of eight or more who book public places separately may be refused entry, with no refund.

The guide makes a real difference. Jamie has been praised for his humor and welcoming style. Max is a strong choice if you value clear answers and an engaging explanation. Alyssa has been described as enthusiastic and generous with information, while Emma has guided visitors through the history, process, and tasting with energy.

You cannot choose a particular guide from the information provided, so book for the experience rather than a named host. Still, the repeated praise for different guides suggests the company puts real effort into making the hour lively and personal.

Who will enjoy Pickering’s Gin Jolly

I would recommend this tour most strongly to:

• People who already enjoy gin and want to compare several Pickering’s products
• Curious beginners who want an easy introduction to gin
• Solo visitors who like small, social activities
• Couples looking for a short indoor experience
• Anyone interested in small-scale distilling and brand development
• Visitors with a free hour near Summerhall

It is also a good rainy-day choice. Most of the tour is indoors, and the schedule is short enough to fit between other Edinburgh plans.

I would think twice if you dislike alcohol, cannot stand for the tour, or want a long hands-on workshop. This is a guided tour and tasting, not a class where you make your own gin. It is also not suitable for children under 18.

The distillery cannot serve or admit people who are under the influence. If the guide believes you are already intoxicated, entry can be refused without a refund. That is sensible for a tasting activity, but it means you should schedule this before a heavy drinking session, not after one.

Practical details for planning your hour

The activity is offered in English with a live guide. It is wheelchair accessible, but the tour requires standing. Food is not permitted.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Edinburgh schedule is still changing. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact hour of the day is not fixed.

I would allow extra time around the one-hour tour. Summerhall can take a moment to navigate, and the meeting point is inside the venue at the Royal Dick Bar. The tour itself is short, but rushing in from another attraction could make the beginning needlessly stressful.

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly?

Book it if you want a focused Edinburgh gin experience with a real production visit, four samples, and a small souvenir. The guides bring warmth and humor, the distillery gives you something to look at beyond a bar counter, and the tasting works for both gin fans and cautious beginners.

Skip it if you want a full meal, a long workshop, or a seated event. Also skip it if you cannot stand for the tour or are looking for a family activity.

For most adults who enjoy local drinks, I think the one-hour format and $33 price make sense. You get a story, a look at Gertrude and Emily, five drinks including the opening G&T, and a miniature bottle to take home. That is a tidy, well-spent hour in Edinburgh, especially on a wet afternoon.

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 experience lasts one hour.

What drinks are included?

You receive one gin and tonic and four samples of gin.

Do I receive a bottle to take home?

Yes. You receive one 5cl miniature bottle of Pickering’s London Dry Gin.

Is the miniature bottle sealed during the tour?

The bottles are already prepared and sealed in plastic. Do not book expecting to wax-seal your own bottle.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible, but it requires standing.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. Most of the tour takes place indoors, so it runs in all weather conditions.

Can I buy extra samples?

Additional samples are not included in the tour price. You should check with the distillery about any extra samples available.

Can a group of eight or more join a public tour?

Groups of eight or more should arrange a private tour. Large groups that make separate public bookings may be refused entry without a refund.