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

Pickering’s Gin Jolly tour gives you a close look at a working Edinburgh distillery, not just a tasting-room sales pitch. You start at the Royal Dick Bar in Summerhall, enjoy a gin and tonic, then visit the distillery to see the stills called Gertrude and Emily. The final tasting covers four gins, with a 5cl bottle to take home.

I like the small-group feel and the lively guides. Jamie, Alyssa, Max, Emma, and others have all been praised for making the hour funny, welcoming, and easy to follow. I also like the mix of story, production, and tasting. The main consideration is that this is a standing tour, and the hour can pass quickly if you want a long look at the equipment or a slower tasting.

Key points to know before you book

• You begin with a proper gin and tonic: The tour opens at the Old Workshop, where your first drink helps you notice the aroma and character of Pickering’s gin before the tasting begins.

• The distillery is part of Edinburgh’s modern gin story: Pickering’s is described as Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years, giving the tour a clear local angle.

• You may see Gertrude and Emily at work: These are the two stills used at the distillery, and you may see them steaming during your visit.

• Four gins make the tasting useful for beginners: You sample several award-winning gins and may try different mixers, making it easier to compare styles.

• The small bottle is included: You leave with a complimentary 5cl miniature of London-Dry Gin. It arrives already prepared and sealed.

• Adults only, with standing required: The tour is for ages 18 and over, and the experience takes place under all weather conditions because most of it is indoors.

What makes Pickering’s Gin Jolly different

Edinburgh has no shortage of whisky experiences, but this tour gives you a different taste of the city. Pickering’s focuses on gin, and the visit takes place at Summerhall, a creative arts venue rather than a grand old whisky warehouse.

That setting matters. The experience feels tied to a small working company and its inventions, equipment, and growth. You are not simply handed a flight of drinks. The guide connects the gin in your glass with the stills, the distilling process, and the story of how the business developed.

The tour lasts one hour. That is a good length for fitting into a day of sightseeing, especially if you are visiting Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, or nearby museums. It also means the pace is fairly brisk. You get a clear introduction rather than a long technical class.

I would choose this tour if you want a friendly introduction to gin with enough production detail to make the tasting more meaningful. If you already know a great deal about distilling, you may find the hour more entertaining than advanced.

Finding the Royal Dick Bar at Summerhall

Meet at the Royal Dick Bar, immediately to the left after you enter Summerhall reception. Follow this instruction closely. One person had trouble finding the meeting point after initially going the wrong way, so this is not the time to wander around the building hoping to spot a gin sign.

The bar is the starting point, but the first part of the tour takes place in the Old Workshop. Your guide gathers the group there and pours a gin and tonic. This opening drink gives you something in hand while the guide explains the distillery’s story and the gin inventions connected with the site.

The meeting point inside a larger venue is the only slightly awkward part of the arrival. Give yourself enough time to reach Summerhall, find reception, and walk to the bar. The tour itself is only an hour, so arriving late could mean missing part of the introduction.

The opening gin and tonic in the Old Workshop

The first drink is more than a welcome sample. The guide encourages you to notice the aroma of the gin and tonic, which prepares you for the later tasting. For someone new to gin, this is helpful because the drink gives you a familiar, refreshing way to meet the spirit before comparing several versions.

The guide also explains the story of Pickering’s and the inventions associated with the distillery. This is where the tour gets its personality. You hear how the small company developed and how its work grew into a successful business.

I like this order. Starting with a mixed drink is less intimidating than beginning with neat spirit, and it lets you settle into the experience. If you are already a gin fan, you will probably pay closer attention to the details behind the recipe and production.

There is no food included, and food is not allowed as part of the activity. Plan to eat before or after if you need something substantial. The supplied drink and tasting samples are the focus, not a meal.

Seeing the distillery and its two stills

After the introduction, you move into the distillery itself. The guide explains Pickering’s distilling process and may introduce you to the distillers while they work. You may also see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, in steaming action.

That possibility is worth noting. The stills are not described as a staged display that operates on demand for every group, so you should think of this as a working distillery visit. If the equipment is running, you get the pleasure of seeing the process in motion. If not, the guide still explains how the gin is made and shows you the production space.

This portion gives the tasting some context. You can connect the finished drink with the machinery and methods used to produce it. The guide also takes you into the lab area, according to the tour experience, which adds another layer to the visit.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, but you need to stand during the experience. That combination is important. If standing for the full hour is difficult, check your needs before booking. The route is mostly indoors, so rain or cold weather should not spoil the visit.

The four-gin tasting

The final section takes place in the next room, where you taste four of Pickering’s gins. These are award-winning samples, and the guide walks you through them rather than leaving you to guess what separates one from another.

This is the strongest part of the tour for many people, and I can see why. Four samples give you enough range to identify a favorite without turning the hour into a heavy drinking session. You can share your thoughts with the group, which keeps the tasting relaxed and social.

The tasting also works for people who are unsure about gin. Different mixers are offered with the samples, so you are not forced to take every drink neat. That flexibility helps you notice which style suits your palate.

If you love gin, come ready to ask questions. Guides such as Jamie, Alyssa, Max, and Emma have been praised for their energy, humor, and ability to involve the group. One particularly useful feature of the small-group format is that you can ask questions without having to compete with a large crowd.

The tour does not include additional samples beyond the listed drinks. If you want more, extra samples are not included in the price, so keep that in mind when comparing this experience with a longer tasting session.

The Pickering’s story and the guide’s role

The guide can make or break a short tour, and Pickering’s puts a lot of weight on personality. Jamie has been singled out for his jokes, warmth, and ability to keep the group involved. Alyssa has been described as enthusiastic and welcoming, while Max has earned praise for explaining the process clearly and answering questions.

The guides are not simply reciting a production script. The strongest accounts of the experience point to a tour that feels conversational and inclusive. That is especially useful if you are visiting alone, since a small group makes it easier to join in rather than fade into the background.

You may hear a few jokes along the way, including the occasional pun. That will suit you if you like a relaxed tour with personality. If you prefer a quiet, highly technical presentation, the playful style may feel less formal than expected.

The company’s history is also a useful part of the visit. Pickering’s is presented as Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years, giving you a sense of the local revival behind the brand. The tour shows how a small operation can build a wide business without losing its personal scale.

Is $33 good value for one hour?

At $33 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the full package rather than just the liquid. You receive entry, a guided distillery visit, one gin and tonic, four tasting samples, and a 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry Gin to take home.

The included bottle helps the value. It is a real souvenir you can enjoy later, and it gives you a physical reminder of the distillery beyond a photograph. The miniature arrives already filled and sealed, so do not book expecting to prepare or wax your own bottle.

That detail has caused some confusion because older descriptions may suggest a hands-on sealing step. The bottle is included, but it is prepared and sealed in plastic. Treat it as a take-home sample, not a craft activity.

For a one-hour experience, the price is less appealing if you are interested only in sampling gin. A bar flight could cost less, though it would not include the distillery explanation, the working equipment, or the company story. The tour makes more sense for you if you want to understand what you are tasting.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a good choice for:

• Gin fans who want to see how a local brand makes its spirit
• Beginners who would like a gentle introduction rather than a technical lecture
• Couples and friends looking for a compact indoor activity
• Solo visitors who prefer a small group and an easy chance to ask questions
• Adults planning a drinks-focused afternoon in Edinburgh
• Anyone who wants a small, practical souvenir instead of a large bottle

It is not suitable for children under 18. You also need to remain sober enough to take part. The distillery can refuse entry to anyone the guide believes is under the influence, with no refund.

Large groups need special care. If your party is bigger than eight people, arrange a private tour. Do not split a large group into separate public bookings, since entry may be refused without a refund.

Planning the tour into your Edinburgh day

The one-hour duration makes this easy to place between other plans. You do not need to give up half a day, but you should allow extra time to locate Summerhall and the Royal Dick Bar.

Because the tour runs in all weather, it is a useful backup on a wet Edinburgh day. Most of the visit takes place indoors, so you can keep it on your schedule even when the forecast is poor.

The tour requires standing, and there is no food component. Have a meal before or after rather than expecting snacks with the gin. Also remember that the experience is English-language only, with a live guide.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Edinburgh plans are still shifting, but check the exact starting time when you choose your date.

My verdict on Pickering’s Gin Jolly

I would book this tour if you want more than a drink and less than a full technical course. The hour has a sensible shape: welcome gin and tonic, company story, working distillery, four-gin tasting, and a small bottle to take away.

The best features are the friendly guides, the intimate scale, and the chance to see a real production space. Jamie, Alyssa, Max, and Emma have all brought the kind of humor and warmth that makes a short tour memorable. The tasting is broad enough for beginners, while the stills and process give gin fans something solid to think about.

Skip it if you dislike alcohol tastings, cannot stand for an hour, or want a long hands-on workshop. For everyone else, especially anyone curious about Edinburgh’s gin scene, $33 is a fair price for a compact and personal visit at Summerhall.

FAQ

Where does the Pickering’s Gin Jolly 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 are included?

You receive one gin and tonic at the start, followed by four gin samples during the tasting.

Do I take home a bottle of gin?

Yes. The tour includes one 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry Gin. It is prepared and sealed in plastic before you receive it.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it requires standing. If you need specific support, confirm that the arrangement suits you before booking.