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

Edinburgh’s Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour packs a working distillery, a gin and tonic, four tastings, and a miniature bottle into one lively hour. The best part is seeing the operation up close at Summerhall, where the stills named Gertrude and Emily may be steaming away while your guide explains how the gin is made.

I like the friendly, small-scale feel and the way the tasting turns technical details into something you can actually taste. I also like that guides such as Jamie, Alyssa, Max, and Emma have brought plenty of humor and energy to the tour. The main drawback is the short time: you will need to stand for much of it, and serious gin fans may want more time for extra samples.

Key points at a glance

• Start with a properly poured gin and tonic: Your first drink arrives in the Old Workshop before the distillery walk-through begins.
• See Gertrude and Emily: Pickering’s two stills are central to the story, and you may catch them working.
• Taste four different gins: The guided tasting helps you compare styles and mixers rather than simply drinking four similar samples.
• Hear the Pickering’s origin story: The tour explains how Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years grew from a small operation.
• Take home a 5cl miniature: The complimentary London Dry Gin gives you a useful souvenir, though it arrives already sealed.
• Plan for standing: The tour is wheelchair accessible, but the activity requires you to stand.

Why this one-hour gin tour is worth your time

Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour is a compact introduction to gin making in Edinburgh. It is not a long factory visit with a large production floor. Instead, it offers a closer look at a small distillery, with the personal feel that comes from meeting the people who make and explain the product.

For about $33 per person, you receive a tour, one full gin and tonic, four gin samples, and a 5cl miniature bottle. That is fair value if you enjoy tastings and want a short activity that fits neatly into an Edinburgh sightseeing day. The value is weaker if you do not drink gin or prefer a broad historical tour with several rooms and exhibits.

The 4.8 rating from 135 reviews reflects a very consistent strength: the guides. Jamie has been praised for being funny, inclusive, and easy to follow, while Alyssa and Alissa have been described as enthusiastic and willing to answer detailed questions. Max has also made a strong impression with clear explanations and an engaging manner.

Guide names can change, of course, but the format depends heavily on the person leading it. That is good news here. The tour is built around conversation, questions, and tasting, rather than a recorded script.

Finding the Royal Dick Bar at Summerhall

Meet at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after Reception. This detail matters because Summerhall is a sizeable arts and cultural venue, and the distillery entrance is not presented as a separate street-front shop.

Follow the meeting instructions carefully, especially if it is your first visit. One couple found the starting point confusing until they followed the directions in their booking email. Give yourself enough time to enter Summerhall and locate the bar without rushing.

The tour begins in the Old Workshop with a gin and tonic. This is a sensible opening: you get a drink in hand while the guide introduces Pickering’s story and explains the inventions associated with the distillery.

The first G&T also gives you a reference point for the tasting later. Pay attention to its aroma and flavor before trying the four samples. You will have a better sense of how different gin styles change when paired with different mixers.

The Pickering’s story in the Old Workshop

The opening talk covers the story of the distillery and its place in Edinburgh. Pickering’s is described as the city’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years, a useful bit of context for understanding why the company’s small operation matters.

You will hear about inventions developed at the distillery and how the business grew into a successful producer while retaining a personal feel. One of the most appealing parts of the story is the contrast between a modest working site and the scale of the business it supports.

I would pay attention here even if you already know the basics of gin. The point is not only to memorize dates or brand facts. The guide uses the story to explain why Pickering’s makes gin in its particular way and how experimentation helped shape the range.

The talk is also where the tour’s tone becomes clear. Guides such as Jamie have used jokes and questions to keep the group involved, while others have made the experience welcoming for people who are new to gin. That mix suits a tasting better than a formal lecture.

Inside the distillery with Gertrude and Emily

From the Old Workshop, you move into the distillery itself. Here you can meet the distillers at work and see the equipment used to produce the gin. The two stills, Gertrude and Emily, are the stars of this part of the visit.

You may see them steaming during the tour, although that depends on the production schedule. This is one of the few details you cannot treat as guaranteed, but the possibility adds a genuine working-distillery feel.

The guide explains Pickering’s distillation process and how the different ingredients contribute to the finished spirit. You will learn what makes gin different from other spirits and why distillation is more than simply heating a liquid and collecting the result.

This is the most useful part for anyone who has considered making gin at home or wants to understand what is in the bottle. One visitor with an interest in home production found the small group especially helpful because there was time to ask detailed questions and get a closer look at the process.

Do not expect a huge industrial plant. The appeal is the opposite. You are seeing a small, active distillery where the equipment and people are close at hand. If you want dramatic machinery and a large production line, this may feel modest. If you prefer a personal look at how a local brand works, the scale is a strength.

The four-gin tasting

The tasting takes place in the next room and includes four award-winning gin samples. Your guide walks you through them and invites you to share your thoughts with the group. This makes the tasting more useful than simply receiving four small glasses with no explanation.

Different mixers are available, which helps you compare how each gin behaves in a drink. This is particularly useful if you are unsure about gin. You do not have to approach the tasting as an expert. Notice the smell first, take a small sip, then compare the finish and the effect of the mixer.

Gin fans will probably get the most from this section because it allows you to compare several Pickering’s products in one sitting. If you already have a favorite style, the tasting may help you decide which bottle to buy later.

The samples are additional to the opening gin and tonic, so you are not choosing between a full drink and the tasting. Food is not allowed on the tour, and the activity is for adults aged 18 and over. Keep that in mind if you are planning a full day of tastings in Edinburgh.

The group setting adds a social element. You can share reactions and ask questions, but it also means the pace is not entirely your own. With only an hour available, the guide needs to keep the group moving.

The complimentary miniature bottle

At the end, you receive a 5cl miniature of Pickering’s London Dry Gin. It is a practical souvenir rather than a token paper certificate, and it gives you a small taste to enjoy later.

One detail needs correcting: some activity information suggests that you seal your own bottle with wax. That is not the current arrangement described by recent visitors. The miniature bottles are already prepared and sealed in plastic.

The bottle still makes a nice parting gift, especially if you are traveling with hand luggage or do not want to buy a full-size bottle. If you hoped to make and wax your own souvenir, adjust your expectations before booking.

You can also purchase more gin separately, but additional samples are not included in the price. The tour itself gives you enough to decide whether you want to spend more.

How the timing affects the experience

One hour is both a strength and a limitation. It is easy to fit around a visit to Edinburgh’s Old Town, a museum stop, or an evening meal. You get a clear introduction without giving up half a day.

The tradeoff is that every part moves briskly. You begin with the G&T, hear the brand story, visit the distillery, learn about the process, and taste four gins. There is not much room for long pauses or an extended question period.

Small groups can make the hour feel more personal. One couple even found themselves on what felt like a private tour, which allowed them to ask many questions. Group size can vary, but parties larger than eight should arrange a private tour. Separate bookings for a group of eight or more may be refused without a refund, so do not try to work around that rule.

The tour runs in all weather because most of it takes place indoors. Edinburgh rain will not spoil the basic plan, although you should still wear comfortable clothing and shoes for standing.

Who will enjoy Pickering’s most

This tour suits you if you like gin, local producers, and short hands-on introductions to food and drink. It is also a good choice if you are curious about gin but do not yet know what style you prefer. The different mixers make the tasting less intimidating.

Solo visitors can fit in well because the groups are small enough for questions and conversation. Couples and friends will also find it easy to share the tasting without committing to a long formal tour.

The experience is less suitable for children because entry is restricted to people aged 18 and over. Anyone under the influence of alcohol can be refused entry without a refund, so pace yourself before arriving.

You should also consider the physical format. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but it requires standing. If standing for most of an hour is difficult, contact the provider before booking to confirm how the visit can be adapted.

Practical value at $33 per person

The price includes more than admission. You receive a full gin and tonic, four samples, the distillery visit, and a miniature bottle. For a one-hour activity in central Edinburgh, that package is reasonably priced, especially when you value the guide’s explanations and the chance to see a working production site.

The strongest value comes from the tasting. Buying several gins separately would cost more, and tasting them side by side helps you make a smarter choice if you plan to purchase a bottle.

The weaker value is for a non-drinker or someone who wants a long museum-style visit. Much of the experience is built around drinking and discussion. You will not get a meal, a lengthy workshop, or a full afternoon at the distillery.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the tour lasts one hour and the schedule may affect how you fit it into your day.

Should you book the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, focused look at Edinburgh gin making, especially if you enjoy tastings or would like to learn what separates one gin from another. The guides are the heart of the experience, and Jamie, Alyssa, Max, and Emma have all been associated with the lively, clear style that makes the hour pass quickly.

I would choose this tour over a larger, more commercial tasting if you prefer direct access to a small producer. Just remember that it is a compact visit, not a full-day distillery experience. You will stand, food is not included, and the souvenir bottle is pre-sealed rather than something you wax yourself.

For gin lovers, the four samples and the view of Gertrude and Emily make the $33 worthwhile. For everyone else, book only if you are genuinely curious about gin and comfortable spending an hour focused on spirits.

FAQ

Where does the Pickering’s Gin tour meet?

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 and samples are included?

You receive one gin and tonic, four gin samples, and one 5cl miniature bottle of Pickering’s London Dry Gin.

Is the tour suitable for people under 18?

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

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, the tour requires standing.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

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