Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour

Pickering’s Gin Jolly is less about putting on a grand show and more about getting close to the work. Inside the old Veterinary College at Summerhall, you’ll see the stills named Emily and Gertrude, hear how the small-batch gin is made, and taste four core bottles in the same room.

I like the small group limit of 12, which gives you a fair chance to ask questions. I also like the personal finish: you wax your own 5cl bottle to take home. The main consideration is time. At about one hour, this is a focused introduction, not a long afternoon of cocktails and food.

Key points to know before booking

• The setting is unusual: Pickering’s operates inside Summerhall’s former Veterinary College building.
• You taste four core gins: The tasting is guided rather than simply a quick pour at the end.
• Emily and Gertrude are part of the story: The distillery’s stills give the visit a real working feel.
• You make a keepsake: Waxing a personalized 5cl bottle adds a hands-on finish.
• The group is capped at 12: This is a more personal format than a large commercial tour.
• The tour costs $34.28 per person: That is fair if you value the tasting, guide, and take-home bottle.

Inside Summerhall’s former Veterinary College

The address is 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL. That location matters. You are not visiting a generic tasting room built only for tourists. You enter a former Veterinary College building that now houses a creative arts and events complex, with Pickering’s gin production occupying part of the site.

The old setting gives the tour a sense of place before anyone explains a botanical or shows you a still. You can expect to meet at the distillery, check in with a mobile ticket, and begin with the guide in the working distillery area.

The activity is offered in English. It is close to public transportation, which makes it a manageable stop from central Edinburgh, though the information provided does not specify a particular bus route or walking time. I would allow a little spare time to find Summerhall rather than arriving at the last minute.

How the Pickering’s tour unfolds

The experience lasts about one hour. That is short enough to fit between sightseeing stops, but long enough for a proper introduction to the distillery and a guided tasting.

The first part focuses on how Pickering’s makes its small-batch gins. You will hear about the production process and the company’s background while standing near the stills. The guide may be Max, Marina, Alyssa, or another member of the team. Max is known for a lively presentation and a good sense of humor, while Marina has been praised for combining clear explanations with warmth and wit. Alyssa has also led visits, bringing an easy, welcoming style.

The named stills, Emily and Gertrude, help turn an abstract process into something you can see. You are not only hearing that gin is distilled. You are looking at the equipment used to make it. That distinction is important for anyone who enjoys seeing the practical side of food and drink.

The tour does not promise access to every production area, and the listed format is compact. Still, the chance to view the distillery and learn how the gin is made gives the tasting some useful context. You can better understand why the four samples taste different instead of treating them as four unrelated drinks.

Tasting four core Pickering’s gins

The tasting is the heart of the visit. You sample Pickering’s four core-range gins with guidance from the host, who explains what you are drinking and helps you compare the flavors.

This is a good setup for both gin fans and people who are still figuring out what they like. You can pay attention to differences in botanicals and style, rather than ordering one gin and guessing at the rest. Several past accounts describe the tasting as a strong part of the experience, with the drinks presented in an informative and relaxed way.

One useful point: you do not need to arrive as an expert. The format is designed to teach you something as you taste. If you already know your favorite gin, the four-pour comparison gives you a chance to test that preference against other Pickering’s bottles.

The tour is also a sensible choice for someone who thinks they do not like gin. One person who began with that view found the tasting both approachable and enjoyable. That does not mean every drink will suit every palate, but the guided format gives you room to notice how botanicals change the character of each pour.

The information provided does not state the exact pour size or whether mixers are included with every tasting. One account describes a gin and tonic at the start, but I would not treat that as a guaranteed part of every booking. The confirmed core feature is the tutored tasting of four Pickering’s gins.

Waxing your own 5cl bottle

The final activity is simple but memorable. You wax your own miniature 5cl bottle of gin and take it home.

This is more useful than a standard branded souvenir because you take part in making it. The bottle is small, so it will not weigh down your luggage, and it gives you a physical reminder of the distillery visit. It also makes the tour a better gift experience for a birthday, anniversary, or couple’s outing.

The information says you create a personalized bottle, but it does not explain the precise design choices or the range of wax colors. Do not expect a full bottling workshop. Think of this as a short finishing activity after the explanation and tasting.

That hands-on ending also helps the one-hour format feel complete. You see the stills, taste the product, and leave with a bottle connected to the place where it was made.

Why the 12-person limit matters

A maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest features here. A small group gives the guide more control over the pace and makes questions easier. You are less likely to feel like a face in a crowd while the host gives a standard speech.

The group size also suits the tasting. Four gins can prompt plenty of questions, especially if people have different levels of experience. Someone new to gin can ask basic questions without feeling out of place, while a regular gin drinker can ask about botanicals, production, or the distillery’s origins.

The exact group size on your date may be smaller than 12, but it will not exceed that stated maximum. If you prefer quiet, personal tours, this is a better fit than a large attraction with several dozen people.

Guides who give the visit its character

The guide makes a real difference in a short tour. Max has been praised for his humor, storytelling, and ability to answer questions. Marina has been described as engaging and good at making the gin world feel accessible. Alyssa has also hosted sessions with a warm, welcoming manner.

Those details matter because a one-hour tour has little spare time. A flat presentation can make the visit feel rushed. A lively host can connect the building, the stills, the production method, and the tasting into one clear story.

You cannot choose a particular guide from the information supplied. If meeting Max, Marina, or Alyssa matters to you, ask Summerhall Distillery before booking rather than assuming a specific host will lead your session.

Some accounts also describe longer visits involving cocktails, cheese pairing, or a cocktail masterclass. Those sound like related formats, not features you should automatically expect from the Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour. For this booking, plan on the distillery visit, four-gin tasting, and waxed 5cl bottle.

Is $34.28 good value?

At $34.28 per person, the price is reasonable for a compact Edinburgh activity if you want more than a drink at a bar. You are paying for the guide’s time, access to the distillery, a four-gin tasting, and the small take-home bottle.

The value depends on what you want from a distillery visit. If your priority is a long cocktail session, a full meal, or an extended production workshop, this may feel brief. The tour lasts about an hour, so it is not designed to fill half a day.

If you enjoy spirits, the price compares well with a standard tasting because it adds the setting and production story. It also works nicely as a planned stop before or after other activities at Summerhall. For a couple, the bottle-waxing activity gives the visit a little more personality than a basic tasting flight.

The award-winning status of the gin may attract you, but I would focus less on the label and more on the format. The real value is the combination of a working distillery, a personal guide, four samples, and a small souvenir.

Who should book this experience?

I would suggest the tour to:

• Gin drinkers who want to compare four Pickering’s bottles.
• First-time gin tasters who want explanations without a formal classroom feel.
• Couples looking for a short activity with something to take home.
• Visitors interested in Edinburgh buildings with an unusual past.
• Anyone with a spare hour near Summerhall.
• People who prefer small groups to large organized tours.

It may not suit you if you do not drink alcohol and want a full non-alcoholic program. Under-18s can attend with a soft drink, but the minimum age for consuming alcohol is 18. The activity is also not a broad tour of Edinburgh. You will learn about Pickering’s Gin and the distillery, not see the city’s main sights.

Practical details for your visit

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need to print paperwork. The tour starts and ends at 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL.

The activity is offered in English and is near public transportation. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not give detailed accessibility information. If you have specific mobility, hearing, or access needs, contact the provider before reserving.

The tour is often booked around nine days ahead. That is not a rule, but it suggests you should avoid leaving it until your final day if your schedule is fixed. The maximum group size is 12, so popular times may fill.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. If the provider cancels because the minimum number of people is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly?

Book it if you want a short, personal gin experience with a working distillery, four core samples, and a small bottle to take home. The old Veterinary College setting and the named stills Emily and Gertrude give the visit more character than a simple bar tasting.

I would especially choose it for a couple, a gin-curious beginner, or anyone who enjoys meeting an engaging local guide. Max, Marina, and Alyssa have all been praised for making the tour friendly and easy to follow.

Skip it if you want a long cocktail class, a meal, or a full production tour. At about one hour, this is a focused introduction. For the price, small group, tasting, and personalized bottle, it is a sensible Edinburgh add-on for anyone who wants to understand how a local gin is made and sample it where the work happens.

FAQ

Where does the Pickering’s Gin Jolly tour start?

It starts at Summerhall Distillery, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Summerhall Distillery.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $34.28 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to a maximum of 12 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What gins will I taste?

You will take part in a guided tasting of Pickering’s four core-range gins.

Do I get a bottle to take home?

Yes. You wax your own personalized 5cl bottle of gin to take home.

Can people under 18 join?

People under 18 may attend with a soft drink, but you must be at least 18 years old to consume alcoholic beverages.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.