Gin fans, this one is for you. Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour at Summerhall turns Edinburgh gin into a hands-on hour, starting with a perfectly poured gin and tonic and quickly moving into how the distillery works. You also get a clear story of what Pickering’s has built here, including the claim of Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years.

I especially like the built-in change of pace: a walk into the working distillery area to meet the team, plus the chance to see the stills in action. When guides like Max, Jamie, Alyssa, or Emma explain things, you get the sense they actually enjoy turning the process into something you can picture, not just recite. The tour then lands in a tasting room with four award-winning gin samples, where you can talk through what you like and why.

One practical consideration: it’s adult-only (+18), and if the guide believes you’re under the influence, entry can be refused with no refund. Also, the tour requires standing for the full hour, so plan accordingly.

Key Things I’d Mark on Your “Do Not Miss” List

• Royal Dick Bar start inside Summerhall, with your first gin and tonic pour
• Gin-exclusive distillery in Edinburgh in 150 years, part of the distillery story
• Gertrude and Emily the two stills, potentially steaming during the distillery walk
• Four award-winning samples in a guided tasting you can compare and discuss
• 5cl London-Dry miniature bottle included to take home (already sealed in plastic)
• Small-group feel that makes it easier to ask questions and keep pace

Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour at Summerhall: What You’re Really Buying

This is a short, focused Edinburgh experience built around one thing: learning gin without making it feel like homework. For about $33 for a 1-hour tour, you’re getting a full entry ticket plus multiple drinks—one gin and tonic, four gin samples, and a 5cl London-Dry miniature to carry home.

What makes that feel like value is the structure. You’re not just tasting. You’re tasting and watching the process. That combination matters if you’re new to gin (you’ll connect flavor to production), or if you already have a favorite bottle (you’ll learn how botanicals and distillation choices can shift the profile).

And yes, it’s consistently rated very highly (a 4.8 average across 135 reviews), which tracks with what the format promises: small-group conversation, animated guides, and enough time to ask the questions that usually pop up halfway through a tasting.

Start at Royal Dick Bar: Your First Pour and the Distillery Story

Your tour begins at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception. This matters because the starting spot is close-in and easy to miss if you’re wandering. One useful tip from the experience: follow the meeting instructions closely, and get yourself to the bar right on time.

Once you’re in, the first stop is simple but smart. You get a properly poured gin and tonic while the guide sets the scene. This part isn’t filler. It’s where the distillery story becomes understandable: how Pickering’s got to where it is now, and the line of gin inventions associated with this place.

It also gives you a gentle on-ramp to the tasting later. Gin and tonic isn’t just a drink here—it’s your first chance to notice aromas and balance. If you tend to only focus on taste, this is where you learn to pay attention to smell first, then sip.

The Gin Workshop Walk: Gertrude and Emily at Work

After the first pour and the distillery background, you head toward the distillery itself. This is the part I like for the practical reason that it makes everything feel real: you’re not reading about distillation, you’re standing near it.

Here, you meet and greet the distillers at work. Depending on what’s happening during your visit, you might see Gertrude and Emily, the two stills, in steaming action. Even if you don’t catch every moment of the production, the guide’s explanation should make it easier to picture what’s happening behind the scenes.

You’ll also hear about the unique distillation process used for Pickering’s gin—how the product moves through the process and what that means for the final flavor. The value of this segment is that it connects the why to what you’re about to taste. That turns the tasting into more than just choosing something you like.

The Four-Gin Tasting Room: How to Compare Without Overthinking

Next comes the tasting of four award-winning gin samples. You move to a separate room and go through the samples with the guide, with a chance to share thoughts about your favorite among them.

This is where the tour earns its “gin lover” label, because you get multiple points of comparison in a short span. If you’re a first-time gin taster, you’ll likely find the comparisons make it easier to understand your own preferences. If you’re more experienced, you can use the tasting to test what you think you know.

One extra detail worth noting: the tasting experience includes the ability to experiment with different mixers, not just neat pours. That can surprise people. Gin flavor can feel completely different depending on what you mix with it, and this format gives you a more realistic sense of how you’ll drink it later.

What You Take Home: The 5cl London-Dry Mini Bottle

You finish with a souvenir that actually has a purpose: a complimentary 5cl miniature bottle of London-Dry Gin.

One practical note: the tour materials can hint at a wax-sealing step, but that’s not what happens in practice. The mini bottles are already prepared and sealed in plastic, so you don’t need to worry about an extra craft moment or missing out on getting your bottle.

This 5cl size is handy for a few reasons. It’s enough for a few drinks, but small enough to pack without turning your luggage into a liquor store. It’s also a great “bring-a-bottle” gift if you like sharing without hauling full-size bottles.

Price and Value: Why $33 for an Hour Works for Gin Fans

Let’s do the straightforward math in terms of what you receive. In one hour, you get:

• entry and a distillery tour
• one gin and tonic
• four gin samples
• a 5cl London-Dry miniature bottle

At regular pub-bar pricing, even one well-made gin and tonic can feel like a big chunk of the cost. So what you’re really paying for is the guided explanation plus the extra tasting time and the take-home bottle. In other words, the drinks aren’t the whole deal; the context is.

Two value notes I’d call out:

• Additional samples aren’t included, so if you’re planning to make this a heavy drinking session, set expectations now.
• Food isn’t allowed, so you’ll want to think about timing. If you drink faster than you eat, this might feel more intense than you expect.

Group Size, Age Rules, and Standing: Practical Gotchas

This tour has rules, and they affect comfort and planning more than you might think.

• Age: it’s +18 only.
• Alcohol conduct: if the guide believes you’re under the influence, they can refuse entry with no refund. That’s not something you should gamble on.
• Movement: the tour requires you to stand. Even though most of it is indoors, your feet will still be part of the experience.
• No food: food isn’t allowed on the tour, which keeps things simple but can matter for long evenings.

There’s also a group-size consideration. If your group exceeds 8 guests, you’re directed toward a private tour. And if groups of 8+ book on to a public tour in separate bookings, entry may be refused with no refund. For most people, that means: if you’re organizing a bigger group, plan on contacting for the private option instead of trying to solve it at the last minute.

On the bright side, the tour runs under any weather because most of it is indoors. So you can book without building your day around rain.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

I think this tour is ideal if:

• you’re a gin lover who wants to understand what you’re tasting
• you’re new to gin and want a guided way to compare flavors
• you like short tours with enough structure to keep your attention

It also works nicely for solo visitors. Reviews point out that the group stays small enough that you don’t feel swallowed by a crowd, and you can ask questions without shouting.

I’d consider skipping (or at least rethinking) if you:

• need a fully seated experience, since it requires standing for about an hour
• are traveling with anyone under 18
• don’t want to deal with alcohol rules tied to refusal if someone appears intoxicated
• prefer food included as part of the experience, because food isn’t allowed

Tips for a Smooth Visit: Smell First, Ask Early

Here are the practical moves that help the tour land well:

• Arrive a few minutes early and go straight to the Royal Dick Bar meeting point within Summerhall.
• Use the welcome pour to start tasting with your nose. The tour highlights aromas, and it’s a great habit to carry into the later samples.
• Ask the distillation questions you actually care about. Guides on this tour have a reputation for being engaging and responsive, including names like Max, Jamie, Alyssa, and Emma—so bring curiosity rather than trying to “act like” you know gin jargon.
• Plan around no food. If you tend to drink on an empty stomach, you’ll probably want to eat before you arrive.

Should You Book This Gin Jolly Tour?

If you want a tight, high-signal Edinburgh experience centered on Pickering’s Gin, this is an easy yes. You get multiple tastings, a gin and tonic welcome, and a distillery walk with the chance to see Gertrude and Emily. The hour format helps you keep your day moving, and the take-home mini bottle means you leave with something you can actually use.

Book it if gin is your thing, or if you’d like to turn gin from a vague idea into specific flavors you can name. Skip it if standing for an hour is a dealbreaker, if you’re under 18, or if alcohol rules might cause stress for your group.

If you’re on the fence, do the simple check: are you excited to taste four gins and learn the distillation basics? If yes, this is one of the more straightforward “worth it” tours in Edinburgh for the money.

FAQ

How long is the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

The tour lasts 1 hour.

Where do I meet the guide?

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

What’s included in the price?

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

Is food included or allowed during the tour?

Food is not allowed, and nothing is listed as included.

Is this tour only for adults?

Yes. The tour is +18 only, and the distillery may refuse entry if the guide believes someone is under the influence.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. It takes place under any weather condition since most of the tour is indoors.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, but it requires standing.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.