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

If you want a gin stop that feels more like a hands-on story than a classroom, this Edinburgh tour hits the sweet spot. I like that you start with a proper gin and tonic right at Summerhall, not after you’ve been herded around. I also like that you taste four award-winning gin samples in the end, so you can compare styles instead of just taking one sip. One heads-up, you stand for the tour and it is strictly +18 only.

This is also a smart way to experience a working distillery in the middle of a creative complex. You’ll hear how gin inventions were born here, and you may even spot the stills, Gertrude and Emily, steaming away while the distillers do their thing. In past sessions, guides such as Max, Jamie, and Alyssa have kept the pace lively, with lots of time for questions.

You should know one more practical detail: there is no food on the experience. If you are hoping for a long, meal-style evening, this is not that kind of outing. But if you want a focused, drink-forward hour with real distilling behind it, this tour makes a lot of sense.

Key things that make this tour fun (and worth your time)

• Start at the Royal Dick Bar with a perfectly poured gin and tonic before you ever see the stills
• Learn gin inventions and the distillery story while you’re still in a relaxed, social mood
• See Gertrude and Emily the two stills, possibly in action
• Taste four award-winning gins and talk about what you like with your group
• Pick up a 5cl London-Dry gin miniature to take home
• Small public group feel since tours are built around keeping groups to 8

Why Summerhall’s Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour is a great one-hour Edinburgh stop

Gin in Edinburgh is not just a drink. It is a story of ingredients, technique, and small-batch decisions that add up to a finished glass. This tour is built to fit into a busy day, because it is only 1 hour, mostly indoors, and it moves from bar to distillery to tasting without wasting time.

I like the structure because it matches how most people actually learn. You get a drink first, then you watch how gin gets made, then you taste again with new context. That is when flavors make sense, because you know what the distilling process is doing before you judge the final product.

Value is also part of the equation. At $33, you are paying for more than a quick sip. Your ticket includes entry, distillery time, a gin and tonic, four gin samples, and a take-home bottle (a 5cl miniature). If you are the type who likes tours that end with usable souvenirs, this one delivers.

At the Royal Dick Bar: your gin and tonic start at Summerhall

Your tour begins at the Royal Dick Bar, inside Summerhall. Meet your guide there, and it is immediately to the left after Reception. This matters because Summerhall is big, and you do not want to waste your first minutes wandering the wrong building.

Before you head into the distillery area, you’ll get a gin and tonic. The point is not just to hand you a drink. You’re meant to smell and taste with attention. You can pick up aromas in a way that you just cannot do when you are rushing or distracted.

This first stop also sets the tone for the rest of the hour. You’ll hear about the distillery’s story and the gin inventions that were born here. That context helps later when you watch how the distillation process works and when you compare samples in the tasting room.

A small caution: the tour requires you to stand. The bar start keeps things lively, but you will still be upright for the whole flow. If standing is hard for you, plan carefully.

The route to the distillery: meeting distillers and seeing the stills Gertrude and Emily

After the gin and tonic and the backstory, you move from the Old Workshop area toward the distillery. This is where the tour shifts from story mode to production mode.

You’ll meet and greet the distillers at work, and you may get a look at the stills. The two names you’ll hear are Gertrude and Emily, and the description you want to keep in your head is that you might see them in steaming action. Even if your timing does not line up with peak visible steaming, you’ll still get a clear sense of the equipment and how distillation turns botanical ingredients into gin.

This is also one of the tour’s standout themes: gin as invention and craft. You’ll learn about the unique distillation process used for Pickering’s gin, and that turns tasting from guesswork into something closer to detective work. You start asking different questions, like what might be driving a specific herb note or why one gin feels more crisp while another feels smoother.

One other detail that makes this portion feel real: the tour is not presented as a museum display. It is set up so you can see people working. That human scale is a big part of why this feels more authentic than many spirits tours that are basically scripted slides and a sip at the end.

The tasting room: comparing four award-winning gins like a pro

The final portion is a tasting of four award-winning gin samples. You’ll move into the next room for this part, and the guide walks you through what you should pay attention to. The idea is not to memorize tasting notes. It is to give you a framework to spot what changes between styles.

This is where the tour becomes genuinely social. You can share thoughts with the group, and your guide can steer the discussion if people get stuck. If you are new to gin, this part is especially helpful, because you’ll get guided tasting prompts rather than just being told to taste and guess.

If you love gin already, you’ll probably appreciate the variety. The tour is set up to get you to compare multiple expressions, not just sample one. That matters because gin flavors can shift a lot depending on the balance of botanicals and how the distilling process brings them together.

Keep it simple with your mindset. Take one gin at a time. Smell first, then taste. If you jump straight to flavor conclusions, you’ll miss the aroma clues that the earlier gin and tonic helped you notice.

Price and what you truly get from $33 for a gin distillery tour

Let’s talk value without sugarcoating it. This tour is priced at $33 per person for a 1-hour experience. What makes it feel fair is what’s included, not what’s missing.

Your ticket includes:

• Distillery entry and the distillery tour
• 1 gin and tonic
• 4 gin samples
• A complimentary 5cl miniature of London-Dry gin

For many drink tours, you pay for a story and end up with a tiny tasting. Here, you get the story, you get multiple samples, and you get a usable bottle at the end. The miniature is not a full take-home purchase, but it is a real souvenir you can share or use later.

One practical value tip: go into the tasting a bit curious, not already committed to one style. If you come with a fixed idea of what gin should taste like, you might find it harder to enjoy comparing the four samples.

Also, remember the tour has no food. If you are arriving hungry, you’ll probably want to eat before you go. Otherwise the gin and tonic portion can feel heavier than you expected.

Who should book this Edinburgh gin experience, and who should skip it

This is a great fit if you want:

• A short Edinburgh distillery experience that does not eat your whole evening
• A tasting with enough variety to learn something, not just a single quick sip
• A guide-led approach where you can ask questions and compare notes

I also think it works well for solo visitors. The tour is designed around a small group vibe, and there is a limit that keeps public tours from ballooning beyond 8 people. That kind of group size makes it easier to feel seen by the guide instead of blending into the crowd.

Skip it if:

• You need a sitting experience, because the tour requires to stand
• You are bringing anyone under 18, since it is +18 only
• You expect food, since food is not allowed during the experience

One more real-world rule: the tour is strict about alcohol impact. The provider states they can refuse service or entry if your guide believes you are under the influence, with no refund. Plan to show up with a clear head and enjoy it the way it is meant to be enjoyed.

Practical details that help you have a smoother tour

This activity runs under any weather condition because most of it is indoors. That is a relief in Edinburgh, where plans can get scrambled by wind and rain.

It is also in English with a live tour guide. If you want a guided, spoken experience with Q and A moments, you should feel comfortable here.

For movement, you do not need to be an athlete, but you do need to be okay standing. You also will not be able to eat during the tour since food is not allowed.

If you are sensitive to group-size changes, keep this in mind: public tours are managed for smaller groups, and if a group exceeds 8, the provider asks you to arrange a private tour. Public tours with larger group situations may be refused entry. If you’re coming with friends and you’re unsure how your group will be counted, double-check before you arrive.

Wheelchair accessibility is listed, so this should work for many mobility needs. Still, because you will be standing, you’ll want to consider how long you can comfortably remain upright.

Should you book this Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

Book it if you want an hour in Edinburgh that combines a working distillery, a guided story, and a tasting with variety. You get enough drink content to make it feel special, plus a take-home 5cl London-Dry gin miniature.

I’d especially recommend it if you like gin and want to understand the distillation process rather than just buying a bottle and moving on. The stills names, Gertrude and Emily, plus the equipment and process talk, give the tasting a lot more meaning.

Skip it if standing for about an hour is a problem, if you want food included, or if you’re traveling with anyone under 18. For everyone else, it is a solid value, well-paced, and designed to keep you engaged the whole way through.

FAQ

How long is the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

The tour lasts 1 hour.

Where do I meet the guide in Edinburgh?

Meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar within Summerhall, immediately to the left after Reception.

Is this tour for adults only?

Yes. This tour is for +18 only.

What drinks are included?

You get 1 gin and tonic, plus tasting samples of four gins.

How many gins do I sample during the tasting?

You sample four gin samples in the tasting portion of the tour.

Do I take home gin after the tour?

Yes. You receive a complimentary 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry gin.

Is food allowed during the experience?

No. Food is not allowed.

Is the tour indoors, and do I have to stand?

The tour takes place under any weather condition because most of it is indoors. The tour requires you to stand.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible, and is the guide in English?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel for a full refund or reserve without paying today?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.