Gin and a distillery tour in Edinburgh can be surprisingly fun. At Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour in Summerhall, you start with a properly poured gin and tonic, then move through the distillery story and finish with four gin samples plus a take-home bottle. It’s a compact, 1-hour experience that gives you real context for how the gin gets made, not just how it tastes.
What I like most is how the tour turns small details into something you can actually use. You’ll hear about the distillery’s invention-driven success story and why it matters in Edinburgh, then see the process up close, including the stills Gertrude and Emily when they’re steaming.
One practical consideration: the tour requires you to stand, so wear comfortable shoes and plan for a bit of time upright.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about before you go
- Finding Summerhall fast: Royal Dick Bar to the Old Workshop
- The gin and tonic start: your first lesson in aroma
- Inside Pickering’s world: inventions, the distillery story, and real stills
- Four gin samples: how to taste like you mean it
- What you take home: the 5cl London-Dry mini bottle
- Price and value: does $33 make sense for Edinburgh?
- A few practical notes before you book
- Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?
- What’s included in the ticket price?
- Where do I meet the guide?
- Is the tour suitable for children?
- Is the tour indoor or outdoor?
- Is food allowed during the tour?
Key highlights you’ll care about before you go
- A gin and tonic welcome at the Royal Dick Bar before the tour starts
- Old Workshop story time on gin inventions and Pickering’s growth in Edinburgh
- Gertrude and Emily stills on display if timing allows
- Four award-winning gin samples with a guided tasting format
- A 5cl London-Dry mini bottle included to bring home
- Small-group feel that keeps the Q&A easy
Finding Summerhall fast: Royal Dick Bar to the Old Workshop
This tour is based at Summerhall, which is an easy win if you’re already exploring Edinburgh on foot. Your meeting point is the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception. If you like arriving 5 to 10 minutes early, this one rewards that habit.
Once you’re in, you’re not wandering around a big industrial maze. The flow is clear: you’ll get your drink first, then the tour moves you from the workshop area to the distillery spaces. I like that setup because it keeps the pacing tight for a 1-hour tour.
Also note the vibe: it’s mostly indoors, so weather won’t hijack your plans. Still, because you’ll be standing, bring a bit of patience for your legs and skip anything you’d hate to wear for an hour.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Edinburgh
The gin and tonic start: your first lesson in aroma
Before you even see a still, you get a drink: one gin and tonic, served perfectly as a warm-up. This isn’t a random freebie. It sets you up to pay attention to scent, flavor, and balance—the exact things the rest of the tour helps you understand.
The tour is designed so you can smell and compare. You’ll be encouraged to focus on what you notice in your glass, then connect those impressions back to the gin style and how it’s distilled. If you’ve ever had gin and wondered why some brands taste brighter or more herbal, this is a smart way to start.
Plus, it’s a social moment without feeling like a party. You’ll get into the group, hear the guide’s voice, and then head into the story part with momentum.
Inside Pickering’s world: inventions, the distillery story, and real stills
After the welcome, the tour shifts to the Old Workshop, where you’ll hear how gin inventions were born here and how the distillery became what it is today. There’s a special Edinburgh angle too: it’s described as the first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years. Even if you don’t care about trivia, that tidbit gives the tour a point of view—this isn’t just another tasting room stop.
Then you’ll walk through the distillery area and meet the people working there. If conditions line up, you might see Gertrude and Emily—the two stills—in action. When that happens, it turns the process from a diagram into something you can picture in your head later.
A big value here is the way the guide connects the story to the process. You’re not just being told that gin is distilled—you’re being taught what’s happening and why. That makes the tasting at the end feel less random.
One more reality check: the tour requires you to stand, and distillery spaces can be busy with equipment. I’d keep your phone handy for photos only if the space allows it, and otherwise enjoy it with your eyes and nose first.
Four gin samples: how to taste like you mean it
The finale is a guided tasting of four award-winning gins. You’ll move to a tasting room and sample them in a structured way, with time to share your thoughts with the group. I like that the tasting isn’t just a line of shots. It’s paced so you can actually compare.
A helpful detail from the experience: the tasting setup can include different mixers, so you can see how the gin behaves with more than one pairing. That’s great if you tend to stick to one G&T style at home. You’ll probably walk away with at least one idea to change your next drink.
Use a simple strategy during the tasting:
- Smell first, before you sip.
- Sip small, then pause.
- Notice whether the gin reads more citrusy, botanical, or spicy, and try to name what you’re picking up.
Your guide will help you connect those impressions back to what you heard about the distillation process earlier. Guides I’ve seen praised for energy and Q&A include Max, Jamie, Alyssa, and Emma, and the common thread is that they keep it friendly and interactive.
What you take home: the 5cl London-Dry mini bottle
You finish with a complimentary miniature bottle of London-Dry Gin, in a 5cl size. This is a real souvenir, not a token. It’s big enough to remember the differences between the four samples you tried, and small enough to toss into a bag without turning your trip into a weightlifting session.
You should also know that the tour doesn’t include extra pours beyond what’s listed. Additional samples of gin aren’t included, so if you’re the type who wants to try everything, set that expectation now and budget if you plan to buy bottles on site.
Price and value: does $33 make sense for Edinburgh?
At about $33 per person for a 1-hour tour, this is a strong value if you like gin and want more than a quick tasting. The ticket includes:
- Entry to Pickering’s distillery
- One gin and tonic
- Four gin samples
- A 5cl miniature bottle
That combination matters. You’re paying for a guided experience with an included drink, a structured tasting, and a takeaway bottle. In other words, you’re not only buying alcohol—you’re buying instruction and context.
It also helps that the tour is adult-only (18+) and doesn’t serve people who appear under the influence. That can feel strict, but it’s also part of why the experience stays focused and comfortable.
If you’re a solo visitor, this tour also works well. A smaller, organized group means you’re more likely to ask questions without shouting over a crowd.
A few practical notes before you book
- Food isn’t allowed during the experience, so eat first if you’re hungry.
- The tour is in English with a live guide.
- The space is wheelchair accessible, but you’ll still need to stand—so consider what that means for your comfort level.
- If your party is larger than 8, you’ll need to arrange a private tour. Also, separate public bookings for parties of 8+ may be refused entry with no refund, so plan your group carefully.
Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?
Book it if you want an Edinburgh gin distillery tour that stays practical: you get a welcome drink, a guided look at the process (including the stills Gertrude and Emily when available), and a proper tasting of four award-winning gins. You’ll also leave with a 5cl London-Dry bottle, which makes it a fun souvenir you can actually use.
Skip it if standing for an hour would be a deal-breaker, or if you’re traveling with minors. Also, if you only want a casual sip and zero explanation, you might find a guided format more than you expected.
If you love gin—or you want to learn what makes different styles taste different—this is an easy yes.
FAQ
How long is Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?
The tour lasts 1 hour.
What’s included in the ticket price?
Your ticket includes distillery entry, a tour of the distillery, 1 gin and tonic, 4 gin samples, and a 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry Gin.
Where do I meet the guide?
Meet at the Royal Dick Bar within Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception.
Is the tour suitable for children?
No. This tour is for adults only (18+).
Is the tour indoor or outdoor?
It takes place under any weather condition, since most of the tour is indoors.
Is food allowed during the tour?
No. Food isn’t allowed.
