Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour

Pickering’s Gin Jolly is more than a quick tasting at a bar. You visit a working Edinburgh distillery inside the old Veterinary College at Summerhall, see the stills named Emily and Gertrude, and finish by waxing your own miniature bottle. It is a hands-on souvenir, not just another drink in a glass.

I like the small group of no more than 12. That gives you room to ask questions, and guides such as Max and Marina can keep the talk lively rather than reading a set script. I also like the tasting of all four core gins, which lets you compare styles instead of judging the brand from one pour.

The main thing to consider is the short one-hour format. It works well for a compact Edinburgh activity, but anyone hoping for a long production visit, a full cocktail class, or a leisurely afternoon at the distillery may find it brief. Alcohol is included for adults, while under-18s receive a soft drink.

Key points to know before booking

• Four core Pickering’s gins are tasted: The guided comparison helps you notice how different botanicals affect each pour.
• Your souvenir is made during the visit: You wax a personalized 5cl bottle of gin to take home.
• The setting is unusual: The distillery occupies Summerhall’s former Veterinary College building.
• The group is capped at 12 people: This suits anyone who prefers a more personal tour.
• Guides bring different strengths: Max is praised for humor and storytelling, while Marina is warm, clear, and engaging.
• The tour lasts about one hour: It fits neatly into a day of sightseeing, but it is not a long distillery session.

Why Summerhall makes a better setting than a standard tasting room

Summerhall is an arts and cultural venue in Edinburgh, but Pickering’s Gin operates from the old Veterinary College building there. That gives the experience a stronger sense of place than a generic tasting counter in a hotel or shop.

You begin at 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL. The venue is near public transportation, and the activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from an out-of-the-way production site.

I like this setup because the building adds character without making the tour hard to fit into your plans. You get a look at the working distillery while remaining close to central Edinburgh sights and other Summerhall activities. The supplied details do not promise a full tour of the wider venue, so think of Summerhall as the setting for the distillery visit rather than a separate attraction included in your ticket.

The old college surroundings also suit the tone of the tour. Pickering’s is a small-batch producer, and the experience focuses on how its gin is made rather than on a large industrial operation. You are there to understand the craft, see the equipment, taste the results, and leave with something you helped finish.

Inside the distillery with Emily and Gertrude

The production portion explains how Pickering’s creates its small-batch gin. The two stills, Emily and Gertrude, are central to the visit, and seeing them in place helps turn the production story into something concrete.

I find this kind of explanation more useful than a polished brand talk alone. You can connect the finished spirit in your glass with the stills and the process in front of you. The tour also includes the history of Pickering’s, giving you context for how the distillery developed and why its gin has a distinct identity.

The level of detail depends partly on your guide. Max has a reputation for mixing facts with humor and bringing the story to life. Marina is described as friendly, engaging, and good at explaining both the gin world and the distillery’s background. Alyssa has also led sessions and is noted for making people feel welcome.

That variety is worth noting. A good guide matters in a one-hour tour because there is little time for dull delivery. The strongest part of this experience is not only the equipment. It is the way the guide connects the machinery, botanicals, company story, and tasting into one short visit.

Do not expect to operate the stills or take part in the actual distilling. The information provided promises a look at how the gin is crafted, not a hands-on production workshop. That is a sensible boundary in a working distillery.

Four gins, one guided comparison

After the production talk, you taste Pickering’s four core gins. This is where the visit becomes more than a museum-style look at equipment.

A guided tasting gives you a useful way to compare the spirits. Instead of sipping one gin and trying to remember it later, you can consider the differences from one pour to the next. The descriptions of the tour point to different botanicals and a tutored tasting, so you should expect the guide to provide direction rather than simply place drinks in front of you.

I appreciate that the tasting is tied to the distillery visit. You first hear how the gin is made, then taste the finished product with that information in mind. If you already enjoy gin, you can focus on the botanical differences and production choices. If you are less certain about gin, the four samples give you a fair chance to find a style you prefer.

One particularly useful detail comes from a visitor who arrived without liking gin and left impressed by the flavor and educational side of the tasting. That does not mean every hesitant drinker will become a fan, but it suggests the format is approachable for beginners rather than aimed only at serious gin specialists.

The tasting is still alcoholic, so plan your day sensibly. The minimum age for consuming alcohol is 18. Anyone under 18 receives a soft drink, which means younger members of a family can attend, though the central appeal remains the distillery and the adult tasting.

The supplied information does not give exact pour sizes or list the four gin names. Do not book expecting a detailed menu in advance. The value is in the comparison and explanation, not in treating the session as a large-volume drinking event.

The 5cl bottle is the best souvenir

The final activity is waxing your own 5cl bottle of gin. This is a small detail, but it gives the tour a satisfying finish.

Rather than simply buying a bottle at the end, you take part in the presentation. The wax creates a personal touch, and the miniature size is easy to pack compared with a full bottle. It also makes the souvenir feel connected to the visit, since you finish it during the tour.

This is a good feature for couples, friends, and anyone buying an experience as a birthday gift. One person described bringing a cousin for a delayed birthday present, which fits the format well. You get a shared activity, a tasting, and a take-home item without committing to a full day.

The bottle is 5cl, so keep your expectations realistic. It is a miniature souvenir, not a substantial supply of gin for your holiday. If you are mainly interested in purchasing a larger bottle, the tour may feel less compelling than a simple shop visit. If you value a keepsake with a story behind it, the waxing step adds real appeal.

I also like the fact that the activity is practical. Many distillery tours end with a branded sample or a standard gift-shop purchase. Here, you have a small role in finishing the bottle. That is a modest touch, but it helps the hour feel like an experience rather than a sales pitch.

Is $34.28 good value for an hour?

At $34.28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink gin in Edinburgh. You could spend less on a single drink elsewhere. The comparison is not really fair, though, because this price includes a guided visit to a working distillery, a tasting of four core gins, and a personalized 5cl bottle.

I see the price as reasonable if you enjoy gin or want a compact activity with a tangible souvenir. The value improves for visitors who appreciate small groups and guided explanation. With only 12 people maximum, you are paying for more attention than you would get at a large public tasting.

It is less convincing for someone who does not drink alcohol and has no interest in how spirits are made. Under-18s can attend with a soft drink, but the tour’s main content remains gin production and tasting. I would choose another Summerhall activity for a non-drinker unless the building and craft process are enough to hold your interest.

The one-hour length also affects the calculation. You are not paying for a half-day workshop. You are paying for a focused introduction that can fit before lunch, dinner, or another Edinburgh sight. That can be a strength on a busy schedule, though visitors who prefer slow, detailed tours may want something longer.

The tour is often booked around nine days ahead on average. That is not a rule, but it is a useful planning clue. If your Edinburgh dates are fixed, booking before arrival is sensible, especially because the group is capped at 12.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide can make or break a short tasting tour, and this one has several named hosts associated with strong sessions.

Max is described as funny, charming, and good at answering questions. His style suits people who want facts without a stiff lecture. He brings energy to the history and makes the tasting feel social.

Marina is praised for her warmth, humor, and clear insight into gin and its production. If you are new to the subject, that friendly tone matters. You want room to ask a basic question without feeling out of place.

Alyssa is also noted for being welcoming and well informed about Pickering’s story. Her sessions have included other Summerhall offerings such as cocktails and cheese pairings, but those extras should not be assumed as part of this one-hour Gin Jolly tour unless they are specifically listed for your booking.

The recurring strength is personal contact. In a 12-person group, you are not lost at the back of a crowd. You can ask about botanicals, the stills, the company story, or the tasting itself. That makes the experience useful for both curious beginners and people who already know their way around a gin menu.

Who should book the Gin Jolly?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Gin drinkers who want to compare several Pickering’s expressions.
• Couples looking for a relaxed activity with a small souvenir.
• Friends planning a birthday treat or a short afternoon outing.
• Visitors who enjoy local production and unusual historic buildings.
• Beginners who want an introduction without signing up for a long masterclass.
• Anyone with a tight Edinburgh schedule who can spare about an hour.

I would be more cautious if you want a complete distillery course. The tour explains the process, but it does not promise extended instruction, a chance to distill your own spirit, or a long cocktail-making session. The supplied details also do not include a full food pairing, so do not count on cheese or cocktails unless your particular booking says so.

The activity is offered in English. A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, and the meeting and ending point are the same, which keeps the practical side simple.

Cancellation and timing details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

The experience requires a minimum number of participants. If the provider cancels because that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Keep that policy in mind if this is the only activity scheduled tightly around the tour.

Arrive at 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, and allow enough time to find the venue before the start. Since the tour ends at the same location, you can plan your next stop without arranging transport from a different neighborhood.

My verdict on Pickering’s Gin Jolly

Book this tour if you want a short, personable introduction to Edinburgh gin with four tastings and a small bottle you finish yourself. The old Veterinary College setting, the named stills, and the limited group give it more character than a basic bar tasting.

I would skip it if you want a long technical workshop or a broad cocktail class. For everyone else, $34.28 is a fair price for an hour that combines production, local character, guided tasting, and a useful souvenir. It is especially easy to recommend as a couple’s outing, a birthday gift, or a relaxed break from Edinburgh’s heavier sightseeing.

FAQ

Where does the Pickering’s Gin Jolly tour start?

It starts at 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK. The activity also ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How many people can join the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants.

What is included in the tasting?

You receive a guided tasting of Pickering’s four core gins.

Can people under 18 attend?

Yes. The minimum age for consuming alcohol is 18. Under-18s receive a soft drink instead.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.