Four pours, one packed hour of gin joy. This Edinburgh gin distillery tour at Summerhall is built for curious sippers: you start with a gin and tonic, meet the people behind Pickering’s, and finish with a structured tasting. It’s not a long lecture. It’s a tight, fun session that keeps you moving and paying attention.

I especially like the way the tour balances story with hands-on watching—spotting the stills (Gertrude and Emily) when they’re steaming, and hearing how inventions grew out of this place. I also love the tasting format: 4 award-winning gin samples in a calm room, with a chance to compare styles and decide what you actually like.

One possible drawback: you’ll be on your feet. The tour requires standing, and there’s no food allowed, so come ready for an indoor, on-your-feet hour with a drink schedule built in.

Key highlights you’ll feel immediately

• Gin and tonic first at the Royal Dick Bar, so you’re in the mood before you tour
• Gertrude and Emily stills may be running, giving you real-life distillation visuals
• Four gin samples in a focused tasting room, built for comparison
• Your own 5cl take-home bottle of London-Dry gin for the trip back
• Small-group vibe that makes it easy to ask questions (and groups over 8 require special handling)

A 1-Hour Edinburgh Gin Tour at Summerhall (and why that works)

Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour is timed right: at one hour, you get an actual distillery visit without burning half a day. If you’re touring Edinburgh on foot, that matters. It also means the staff keep things moving—less waiting around, more tasting and seeing the process.

Summerhall is a smart fit for a gin tour because it keeps the experience mostly indoors. The tour takes place under any weather condition, and that’s a big plus when Edinburgh weather is being Edinburgh weather. You’ll still be standing most of the time, but you won’t be battling the cold for long stretches.

At $33 per person, the price feels more like an all-in experience than a “just look around” stop. You’re getting entry, a gin and tonic, four gin samples, and a 5cl miniature bottle to take home. For a short tour, that’s a fair bundle.

Royal Dick Bar start: your perfectly poured gin and tonic

You meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception. That’s an easy setup when you’re arriving—no long wandering through corridors to find the start.

The first part of the tour is built around one thing: getting you tasting. You’ll be served a gin and tonic and you’ll hear the distillery’s story, including the gin inventions that were born here. This is a good approach because gin tasting is easier when your palate already has the flavor context.

This is also where guide energy really matters. Several tours mention standout guides by name, like Max, Jamie, Alyssa, and Emma. The common thread is engagement—guides who answer questions and keep the mood upbeat without turning it into a hard sell.

The walk to the distillery: meeting the distillers at work

After the welcome, you head into the distillery space. This is where the tour shifts from “story mode” into “watch mode.”

You’ll meet and greet the distillers at work, and you may see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, in steaming action. Even if your timing doesn’t catch the stills running at full speed, the tour is still designed to show you the setup and explain what’s happening and why.

One practical note: the tour requires you to stand, so wear shoes you’re comfortable in. And since food isn’t allowed, don’t plan to snack your way through. Plan your timing so you’re ready for the drink and sample sequence they’ve built into the schedule.

How Pickering’s gin distillation is explained in real-world terms

The tour’s main education focus is the unique distillation process behind Pickering’s gin. You’re not just hearing that gin is made with botanicals—you’re learning how the distillation step shapes the final character.

That matters because gin tasting is often confusing when you don’t know what to look for. The process gives you vocabulary and logic. Instead of random preference (“I like it because I like it”), you start connecting the smell and flavor to what the distillery is doing.

And the tour includes a piece of context that gin lovers will appreciate: it describes the first gin-exclusive distillery of Edinburgh in 150 years. That’s not trivia for trivia’s sake. It helps you understand why this distillery’s story matters in the city’s craft scene, especially if you’re already curious about Edinburgh’s mix of tradition and modern makers.

The tasting room: four award-winning pours you can compare

The tour ends with a tasting of four award-winning gin samples in the next room. This format is ideal because you’re comparing multiple gins back-to-back, guided by your staff’s explanations and your own senses.

A key detail: you get more than one way to experience the gins. One review highlights that there are different mixers available during the tasting, which makes sense. Gin often changes dramatically with the right mixer, so this helps you figure out what you like in the real world, not just neat in a tiny glass.

Here’s a small way to make the tasting more useful: don’t rush straight to the first one you enjoy. I find it helps to smell each sample first, then take a sip, then pause. Let the flavors settle in your brain before you decide.

What you bring home: the 5cl London-Dry miniature bottle

At the end, you leave with a complimentary 5cl miniature of London-Dry gin. For many people, that’s the best part. It’s a souvenir you can actually use, not a paperweight.

One practical clarification from recent notes: you might see wording somewhere about sealing with wax, but you don’t need to worry about sealing yourself. The bottles are already prepared and sealed in plastic. So you can enjoy the tour without expecting any messy DIY moment at the end.

Take the mini home for a quick night-in tasting, or bring it as a gift for someone who doesn’t get excited about distillery tours—because they still get gin.

Price and value: what $33 buys you in tasting terms

Let’s translate the price into what you actually receive.

You’re paying for:

• Distillery entry
• A full gin and tonic
• Four gin samples
• A 5cl take-home bottle

For a one-hour experience, that’s strong value if you like gin or want to learn what you like. If you only wanted a quick look at equipment, you’d probably feel “shortchanged.” But the tour isn’t built that way. It’s built as a guided tasting plus a distillery walk.

Even better, it’s geared for people who are new to gin. Several notes highlight that the tour makes it approachable, and that different gins and mixers help you decide what direction your taste runs. You don’t need to be a gin expert to get something out of it.

Guide-led energy: why names like Jamie, Max, and Alyssa keep coming up

This is one of those tours where the guide can make or break your experience. The best feedback ties to staff who are animated and quick with answers, not just reciting facts.

You’ll see names pop up repeatedly, including Jamie, Max, Alyssa, and Emma. The standout pattern is enthusiasm paired with clarity. People consistently praise guides for being engaging and inclusive, and for making the distillation process feel understandable rather than intimidating.

If you’re the type who likes to ask questions, you’ll probably appreciate the format. The tour is short and structured, and it doesn’t feel like you’re lost in a huge crowd. Small-group setups also help you get real answers instead of generic ones.

Who should book this gin jolly tour—and who should skip it

You’ll love this tour if:

• You’re a gin fan who wants a guided tasting without planning your own itinerary
• You want a short, indoor-friendly activity with real distillery access
• You enjoy learning how a drink is made, not just buying bottles
• You like a guide-led experience where you can ask questions

You might want to think twice if:

• You don’t enjoy standing for about an hour
• You’re sensitive to alcohol-based experiences (note that the tour is 18+ only)
• You’re hoping for food or a full meal—food isn’t allowed
• You’re traveling with kids or teens, since it’s not suitable under 18

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

If you’re in Edinburgh and you want a high-value, low-time commitment gin experience, I’d book it—especially if you like tasting and want to understand the distillation process with the people actually doing the work. The combo of gin and tonic + four samples + take-home bottle makes it feel complete for the money.

Just match it to your style: come ready to stand, don’t plan on food, and use the tasting part to compare what you truly like. If that sounds like you, this is the kind of tour that leaves you with a story and a bottle to prove it.

FAQ

How long is the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

It lasts 1 hour.

Where do I meet my guide?

Meet at the Royal Dick Bar within Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception.

What’s included in the ticket price?

You get distillery entry, a tour, 1 gin and tonic, 4 samples of gin, and a 5cl miniature bottle of gin.

Are food or snacks included?

No. Food isn’t allowed on the tour, and it’s not listed as included.

Is this tour only for adults?

Yes. It’s for ages 18+ only.

Does the tour happen indoors?

Most of it is indoors, and the tour takes place in any weather condition.

Do I need to be able to stand?

Yes. The tour requires standing.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

It is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What if my group is bigger than 8 people?

If your group exceeds 8 guests, you need to arrange a private tour. Separate bookings for groups of 8+ may be refused entry with no refund.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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