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

Pickering’s Gin Jolly is a small, social tour with plenty of tasting and just enough distilling detail to make each sip more interesting. You begin at the Royal Dick Bar in Summerhall, hear how Edinburgh’s first gin-only distillery in 150 years came to be, then meet the stills, Gertrude and Emily, if they are working that day. I like the intimate group size, which gives you room to ask questions. I also like the mix of history, working equipment, and four different gins rather than a tour that only points at bottles on a shelf.

The main thing to consider is that this is a standing tour, and it is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. The one-hour format is efficient, but it leaves little time for a long look around or an extended tasting. Also, the complimentary miniature is supplied already sealed, despite older descriptions suggesting you might wax it yourself.

Key points at a glance

• Four gins to taste: Compare four award-winning Pickering’s samples with different mixers.
• A working distillery: You may see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, in action.
• A useful starting drink: Your tour begins with a properly poured gin and tonic at the Royal Dick Bar.
• Small-group feel: Guides including Jamie, Alyssa, Max, Emma, and others keep the hour personal and conversational.
• A take-home miniature: Your ticket includes one 5cl bottle of London-Dry Gin.
• A practical Edinburgh stop: The distillery is inside Summerhall, and most of the tour takes place indoors.

Starting at Summerhall with a gin and tonic

Your meeting point is the Royal Dick Bar, immediately to the left after reception at Summerhall. Follow the directions in your booking email closely. One person who attended with only a small group found the bar hard to locate at first, so this is not the moment to wander through Summerhall hoping the right room will reveal itself.

The opening drink is more than a quick welcome. You receive a gin and tonic in the Old Workshop while your guide sets the scene. This is where you hear about the inventions associated with Pickering’s and the story behind the distillery’s success.

I like this beginning because it gives the tour a clear shape. You taste the finished drink before seeing how the spirit is made. That helps you notice what changes later, when four separate samples arrive without the same tonic-and-gin disguise.

The setting also adds character. Summerhall is an arts and cultural venue, not a purpose-built visitor center, so the experience feels tied to an active Edinburgh site. The tour description does not promise a polished museum display, and you should not expect one. Its appeal is the working company, the equipment, and the people explaining what they do.

Pickering’s story and Edinburgh’s gin revival

The story of Pickering’s is central to the first part of the hour. You learn how the company developed and why it became Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years. That detail gives the tour local importance: this is not simply a generic lesson in botanical spirits.

Guides are a major part of the experience. Jamie is repeatedly praised for his humor, warmth, and ability to draw people into the conversation. Alyssa is described as energetic and enthusiastic, while Max has a calm, well-informed approach and handles questions well. Emma has also led tours that balance the company’s story with an explanation of the process.

The individual guide can shape the mood. One day may feel playful and full of jokes, while another may feel more focused on production. That is a strength of a small distillery tour, though it also means the exact style will vary. You are likely to get a human introduction to the brand rather than a fixed audio script.

I especially like the way the story gives context to the tasting. You are not just told that a gin is made locally. You hear why the distillery exists, how its ideas developed, and how a small operation built a larger business. The scale is part of the lesson. You can see how a company with a personal feel can produce enough gin to sell well beyond its Edinburgh base.

Meeting Gertrude and Emily in the distillery

After the opening drink and introduction, you move into the distillery itself. Here you meet the distillers at work and learn how Pickering’s gin is made. If production is taking place during your visit, you might see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, steaming in action.

That possibility matters. A still that is operating gives you a better sense of gin as a physical process, not just a finished drink in a handsome bottle. You can see where heat, vapor, and careful timing enter the picture. The tour explains Pickering’s particular method rather than offering only broad facts about gin.

The distillery is also where the small-company character becomes clearest. You are close to the equipment and the people who use it. This is not a large industrial tour with viewing galleries and a long visitor route. The upside is access and conversation. The drawback is that the amount you see may depend on what is happening on the day.

The tour may also include a look into the lab. That detail is useful for anyone curious about how new versions are developed or tested. You will not be promised a full hands-on workshop, but the chance to see the production side helps connect the brand’s inventive image with actual work.

This section requires standing, so wear shoes and clothes that will keep you comfortable for an hour. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the standing requirement is worth keeping in mind when deciding if it fits your needs. If you need a seated arrangement, contact the provider before booking.

Four gins, four small lessons

The tasting is the payoff for many people. In the next room, your guide leads you through four Pickering’s gin samples and invites you to compare them. Different mixers are available, which is helpful if you are unsure about gin or usually find a classic tonic too strong.

I like the guided format. Four samples can blur together if you simply drink them one after another. With a guide leading the tasting, you have a reason to pause, smell, taste, and talk about what changes from one glass to the next.

The first gin and tonic gives you a familiar starting point. The four samples then let you look more closely at the spirit itself. You can decide which style suits you best, and you can ask why one sample works with a certain mixer while another does not.

This is a good tour for a gin lover, but you do not need to arrive as an expert. The format works for someone who wants to learn the basics, test different styles, or find out if gin is worth another try. One of the useful details is that the tasting includes different mixers, so you are not forced to judge every sample in exactly the same way.

Additional samples are not included. The ticket covers four gin samples, one gin and tonic, and the miniature bottle. If you want more drinks afterward, you should budget separately.

The 5cl bottle and the changing finishing touch

You finish with a complimentary 5cl miniature of London-Dry Gin. It is a modest souvenir, but it is a practical one. You can take a small taste of the tour home without carrying a full bottle through the rest of your trip.

Older descriptions of the experience suggested that visitors might seal their own miniature with wax. That is no longer reliable information. The bottle is prepared and sealed in plastic, so you should not book this expecting a hands-on wax-sealing activity.

That change does not spoil the tour, but it is worth knowing. If you enjoy small craft tasks and souvenir rituals, the finish may feel less interactive than expected. The bottle still gives you something tangible, and the London-Dry Gin makes sense as a sample of the core product.

You can also buy more gin if you decide a miniature is not enough, although the supplied details do not specify the shop range or prices. I would treat any larger purchase as optional, not part of the value calculation.

Is one hour enough for the price?

The listed price is $33 per person for one hour. That is fair value if you care about the tasting and want a direct look at a working Edinburgh distillery. Your ticket includes entry, the tour, a gin and tonic, four samples, and a 5cl bottle. Buying those elements separately would likely make the package feel reasonable, though the supplied price does not include any extra drinks.

The tour is not the right choice if you want a long production visit or a full afternoon built around gin. An hour passes quickly once you have settled in, listened to the story, seen the stills, and tasted four samples. Think of it as a compact introduction with a strong tasting component.

The small group format improves the value. You have a better chance to ask questions, hear the guide clearly, and see what is being shown than you might in a large public tour. Groups of eight or more should arrange a private tour. If a larger party books separate places on a public tour, entry may be refused without a refund, so do not try to bypass that rule.

The tour runs in all weather because most of it is indoors. That makes it a useful rainy-day choice in Edinburgh, though you still need to get to Summerhall and move between the bar and distillery areas.

Who will enjoy Pickering’s Gin Jolly?

I would choose this tour for:

• Gin drinkers who want to compare several Pickering’s products.
• Curious beginners who want a friendly introduction without committing to a long class.
• Solo visitors who prefer a small group where asking questions feels easy.
• Couples looking for a short Edinburgh activity with a drink and souvenir.
• Visitors interested in local business stories and working production.
• Anyone planning a Summerhall visit who wants an activity close to the venue.

The tour is less suitable for children, non-drinkers, or anyone who cannot comfortably stand. It is strictly for people aged 18 and over. The distillery cannot serve or admit someone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol, and a guide can refuse entry without a refund in that situation.

Food is not allowed on the tour. The supplied details do not say that food is included, so plan this as a drinks-focused hour rather than a meal stop.

Planning your visit at Summerhall

Allow enough time to find the Royal Dick Bar. Go into Summerhall reception, then look immediately to the left. Your guide meets you there, not at a separate street entrance.

The tour is conducted in English. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing a date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Edinburgh plans are still shifting.

Since the tour is indoors, weather is not a major concern. You may still want a light layer because you will move through different rooms. Most important, arrive ready to stand, listen, smell, taste, and join a group discussion.

Guide quality is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Jamie, Alyssa, Max, Emma, and other guides have each brought a different mix of humor, energy, and clear explanation. I would not worry about needing prior gin knowledge. A good guide can make the process accessible, and the format leaves room for questions.

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly?

Yes, if you want a short, sociable gin experience with real distillery access, four samples, and a small souvenir. The value is strongest for people who enjoy tasting and want to understand how a local Edinburgh brand makes its drinks.

You may want something else if you prefer a long technical class, a seated tasting, or a hands-on bottling activity. The miniature is already sealed, the tour requires standing, and the one-hour schedule is brisk.

For most adults who like gin, or who simply want to give it a fair try, this is an easy Edinburgh activity to fit between sightseeing stops. Book it for the people, the working stills, and the guided tasting. Treat the take-home bottle as a pleasant extra.

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 is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes distillery entry, a tour, one gin and tonic, four gin samples, and one 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry Gin.

Is the tour suitable for people under 18?

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

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the tour requires standing. Contact the provider in advance if you need specific arrangements.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide conducts the tour in English.

Can I see the distillery’s stills?

You may see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, in operation. Whether they are steaming during your visit depends on production activity at that time.

Can large groups join a public tour?

Groups of eight or more should arrange a private tour. Larger groups that book separate places on a public tour may be refused entry without a refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.