That first sip sets the tone. This small, gin-focused tour at Summerhall mixes hands-on distillery storytelling with a proper tasting, so you leave knowing what makes Pickering’s style taste the way it does. I especially like the hands-on feel of seeing how gin is made, and I love that you start with a freshly poured gin and tonic before you even step into the distillery spaces.

The tour is built for adults only (+18) and it requires some standing, so if you’re planning around mobility or alcohol tolerance, factor that in. Also note: no food is allowed, so you’ll want to eat beforehand if you’re coming from sightseeing.

Quick hits: what makes Pickering’s Gin Jolly worth your hour

• A gin and tonic right at the start at Summerhall, before the distillery story begins
• Four gin samples during the tasting portion, so it’s not just one drink and done
• You may see the stills in action (Gertrude and Emily), plus you meet distillers at work
• One of Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distilleries in 150 years, which adds real context to the brand story
• A take-home 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry gin, already sealed for easy carry

Arriving at Summerhall: where your tour starts and why that matters

Most gin tours feel like a lecture with a sip at the end. Here, you get the opposite rhythm. You meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall—head left after reception—then you get settled with your first drink: a perfectly poured gin and tonic.

That opener is more than a nice perk. It gives you something practical to pay attention to. When you smell and taste the G&T at the beginning, you start building a reference point for what you’re later sampling in the tasting room. You’re not just reacting; you’re comparing.

One more thing I like for solo visitors: the format is designed to keep things intimate. Public tours are for small groups (and if a group exceeds 8 guests, the operator asks you to arrange a private tour). In practice, that means fewer people in your immediate space and more chances to ask real questions.

The Old Workshop story: inventions, success, and the gin mindset

After the welcome drink, the tour shifts into the story. You’ll head over to the Old Workshop area to hear about the distillery’s journey and the gin inventions that were born there. That history isn’t presented as trivia. It’s framed as why people keep tinkering with botanicals, still methods, and flavor balance—because gin is a craft, not a one-size recipe.

You also get a clearer picture of what Pickering’s is trying to do with its product lineup. The big idea you take away is that gin is built from choices: what goes into the botanicals, how it’s distilled, and how the final London-Dry profile translates into the way each gin version tastes.

If you enjoy food or drink tours for the thinking behind the product, this part works well. You’ll be given a framework so your nose and palate make more sense later during tastings.

Inside the distillery: meeting distillers and watching Gertrude and Emily

Next comes the distillery itself, where the tour feels more alive. You’re not just looking at machines behind glass. You meet and greet the distillers while they’re at work, and you may even catch glimpses of Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, in steaming action.

Seeing stills up close does two helpful things for you. First, it makes the distillation process less abstract. Second, it helps you connect what you’ll later taste with what you watched during production—because gin character often traces back to how the base spirit and botanicals are treated during distillation.

Even if you don’t catch the stills steaming every time, you’re still walking through a space where people actually do the work. That is the difference between a theme tour and a production tour.

The distillation angle: how to listen for the science during your tasting

A lot of gin tours tell you what distillation is. This one pushes you to understand what it means for flavor. You’ll learn about the unique distillation process of Pickering’s gin, and the way it ties to that classic London-Dry backbone.

Here’s the practical value: when the guide explains the process, you start noticing how gin can be both sharp and aromatic at the same time. You’ll likely talk through things like structure, balance, and why botanicals behave differently when heat and timing enter the picture.

One tip I’d use if I were taking friends: don’t wait for the guide to do all the interpretation. During the distillery portion, jot (mentally is fine) one question—something like what sets their style apart or how they keep consistency across batches. Then carry that question into the tasting room. It makes the samples feel more meaningful.

The tasting room: four award-winning samples and how to taste smarter

The tour finishes in the next room with a guided tasting of four gins. You can share thoughts with the group, but the format isn’t awkward—more like a guided tasting where you compare notes.

You’ll also have a chance to notice how mixers affect the experience. One guest specifically called out that they offer different mixers alongside the tasting. That matters because gin is rarely consumed on its own. If you only taste neat spirits, you can miss what you’d actually enjoy as a gin-and-tonic drink at home.

So how do you taste like you belong there?

• Start with smell: catch the first big aromas, then go back for a second pass
• Taste with intention: note whether the gin feels citrus-forward, juniper-led, or more herbal
• Compare rather than judge: you’re picking favorites based on style, not trying to find a universal best

And because you’re tasting four samples, you’re not stuck with one flavor profile dominating your memory. The guide can point out differences in character across the set, which makes it easier to figure out which bottle you’ll actually want later.

The take-home bottle: 5cl London-Dry, and the wax question

You leave with a complimentary 5cl miniature bottle of Pickering’s London-Dry gin. That’s a genuinely helpful souvenir size: small enough to carry, big enough to pour a proper personal test at home.

One detail to know: some tour descriptions hint at sealing mini bottles with wax. But at least one recent guest noted the bottle was already prepared and sealed in plastic, so there wasn’t a wax step to do. If you’re the kind of person who loves little finishing rituals, don’t count on a wax ceremony being part of every run—but do expect the mini bottle itself.

Either way, the practical upside is the same: you can take the gin home and recreate the flavors you liked during the tasting rather than buying blindly.

Price and timing: is $33 for an hour good value?

At around $33 per person for a 1-hour tour, the value depends on what you care about. If you only want one quick sip and a stroll, it may feel pricey. But if you like understanding the product and you plan to drink responsibly, this one prices fairly for what’s included.

Here’s what you get in the package:

• entry to the distillery
• the guided tour
• one gin and tonic
• four gin samples
• a 5cl take-home bottle

That’s a lot of tasting for one hour, and it’s not just decorative. You’re paying for the experience plus the ability to compare flavors without guessing. If you’ve ever bought a gin bottle after a single cocktail and later wondered if you made a mistake, this reduces that risk.

Also, the schedule is weather-friendly. The tour is mostly indoors and runs under any weather condition, so you’re not gambling your day on rain wrecking plans. It’s a good fit if your Edinburgh itinerary already has walking-heavy blocks.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This is a straight-up adult experience. It’s for +18 only, and there’s a clear policy that they won’t serve or allow people under the influence into the distillery. If a guide believes someone is under the influence, they can refuse entry with no refund. That’s not meant to be strict for strictness’ sake; it’s about safety and keeping the tasting portion enjoyable and controlled.

It also requires to stand. That doesn’t mean you’re bouncing around the whole hour, but it’s not built as a seated tasting with rolling chairs. If you have trouble standing for short periods, think hard before booking.

No food is allowed. That’s normal for many tasting venues, but it means you should eat before you go—especially if you’re visiting after a long day exploring Edinburgh.

On the upside, it is wheelchair accessible. If you use a mobility device, this is one of those activities you can likely plan with confidence, since the operator explicitly lists wheelchair access.

Finally, it’s a strong match for:

• gin lovers who want more than a cocktail and a souvenir
• curious drinkers who like learning the process behind flavor
• visitors who want a compact, low-stress activity that fits into a day

A quick word on guides and the vibe you can expect

Guides seem to bring energy to this tour. Multiple people mentioned names like Max, Jamie, Alyssa, Emma, and Sofie, with a common theme: lively explanations and lots of time for questions. That matters because gin tasting works best when someone helps you translate what you’re smelling and tasting, instead of leaving you alone with four unclear pours.

One more small note from a guest: the tasting setup can include mixers, so you may be encouraged to try combinations. That’s handy if you’re unsure what you like yet—sweet, dry, citrusy, or more botanical-forward.

Should you book this Gin Jolly Tour at Summerhall?

Book it if you want a tight, flavorful Edinburgh activity where you learn how gin works and you walk away with enough tastings to make a real comparison. The $33 price feels justified by the cocktail opener, the four samples, and the included 5cl London-Dry bottle.

Skip it or at least think twice if you:

• can’t stand comfortably for the length of an hour
• need an alcohol-free experience
• prefer tours that include seated time or food pairings

If you’re deciding between gin tours, this one stands out for its structure: start with a G&T, learn the distillery story with stills like Gertrude and Emily, then taste four award-winning gins. It’s a practical way to leave Edinburgh with bottles and better taste instincts, not just photos.

You Might Also Enjoy

London: Sherlock Escape RoomsGrand London Half-Day Bicycle TourBELFAST BLACK TAXI TOURLondon: Downton Abbey, Cotswolds, and Highclere Castle Tour