Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour

Gin made in a former vet college sounds right. At Summerhall, you get a small-batch gin tour and a tutored tasting around the stills Emily and Gertrude, finishing with a take-home bottle you make personal.

I love that it is capped at a 12-person group, which means your guide can actually answer questions instead of rushing everyone. Guides such as Max and Marina are clearly good at keeping things friendly, funny, and focused.

One drawback to plan around: the whole visit is about one hour, so if you want a long, deep workshop, this is more of a sharp intro than an all-afternoon class.

Key highlights worth showing up for

• Summerhall’s old Veterinary College setting makes the gin feel instantly more interesting
• Emily and Gertrude stills give you a real sense of how Pickering’s runs
• Tasting the 4 core gins with a guide who helps you taste on purpose
• Wax your own personalized 5cl bottle as a souvenir you keep
• Small-group format (max 12) keeps the atmosphere relaxed and interactive
• English tour in a venue near public transportation

Why Summerhall’s former Veterinary College is a great gin venue

Summerhall is one of those Edinburgh locations that already feels like a story. You are not touring a generic shop floor. You are inside the former Veterinary College buildings, which gives the whole experience a grounded, local feel.

The setting also matters for a tasting tour. Gin is all about aroma, botanicals, and mood, and a historic brick-and-stone space helps you slow down. If you like places with character, you will probably enjoy the fact that the distillery experience feels anchored in Edinburgh life, not staged.

You also get that working-distillery energy without it turning into a behind-the-scenes tech demo. The tour is built to be understandable, even if gin is new to you.

Price, timing, and group size, is it good value?

At about $34.28 per person for roughly one hour, this is priced like a focused, small-group tasting rather than a half-day excursion. The value comes from three things you get in that short time: a guided distillery look, a tutored tasting of the core range, and a take-home 5cl bottle you wax yourself.

Most gin tours that include tastings and a souvenir cost more, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Here, the small group size helps justify the price, because you are not stuck watching from the back.

A practical note: the average booking lead time is around 9 days. If your trip is during peak season or you want a specific time slot, I suggest you book earlier rather than waiting.

The tour is English and uses a mobile ticket, so you will want your phone charged and ready. It also runs near public transport, which helps if you are stacking it with other Edinburgh stops.

From Emily and Gertrude to the craft process in one tight tour

You start at 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, and the tour stays based there, ending back at the meeting point. That matters because you avoid “tour hop” time and can focus on the experience itself.

During the distillery portion, you will learn how Pickering’s crafts its small-batch gins. Instead of vague storytelling, you get a guided walkthrough that shows you the key points of how the gin is made and how the distillery space works.

A standout moment is seeing the stills named Emily and Gertrude. Having named stills is a small detail, but it does something useful. It gives you something concrete to remember while you taste later, so the tasting does not feel random.

If you care about flavor, this part is your setup. When you understand what is going on in the room, you tend to notice more in the glass. If you are new to gin, the guide is there to translate process into taste.

The tasting of the 4 core gins, how to taste without overthinking it

The tasting part is tutored, meaning you are not just handed pours and left to guess. You taste the 4 core range gins in a guided way, which helps you compare botanicals and style instead of sampling like a vending machine.

This is where I think the guide skill really shows. In the best moments of the tour, guides like Max, Marina, and Alyssa keep the vibe light while still giving you tasting cues. One strong theme in the feedback is that the guides combine history, humor, and clear explanations without making you feel silly if you do not know the difference between juniper-forward and citrus-led styles.

Some sessions also start with a drink like a gin and tonic, and one visitor specifically mentioned making cocktails plus enjoying a cheese pairing. That is not something I would count on every time, but it lines up with the overall feel of the experience, which is not just “sip and leave.” If a small extra food or cocktail step is included when you go, treat it like a bonus, not a requirement.

What you can control is your own tasting approach. Go in ready to smell first. Then take a small sip and think in pairs, not alone. Ask yourself: does this feel more herbal or more bright? Does it sit dry or round? The guidance you get during the tasting is the point, so let it help you set your own tasting words.

Waxing your personalized 5cl bottle, the souvenir part that actually feels fun

The tour ends with something you can take home. You wax your own personalized miniature 5cl bottle, which turns the experience into a tangible memory.

That matters because a lot of tastings stop at the glass. Here, you get a mini bottle with your own label or personalization (based on what is described in the experience). Wax sealing also makes it feel special and giftable, which is handy if you are bringing something back for a friend.

Even if you are not a collector, this is one of the best parts because it forces you to participate right at the end. It also gives you something to do besides just listening. You will leave with proof, not just a head full of gin terms.

One planning note: because it is a take-home bottle, think about how you will pack it. A small 5cl bottle is easier than a big one, but wax seals can still be fragile if your bag is rough. Put it in a safe spot and avoid crushing it under souvenirs.

What you learn in a short time, and what you might want next

In one hour, you are doing three things: seeing how gin is made, tasting the core gins, and making a souvenir bottle. For many visitors, that is exactly right. You leave with a basic sense of how Pickering’s works and which flavors you liked.

If you are the type who wants a deep technical explanation of distilling, you might find the time tight. But for most people, the trade-off is a good one. You get the highlights without the long slog.

Also, if gin is not your usual order, this tour can still work because the tasting is guided. You do not need to be a connoisseur to enjoy it. The guide helps you notice what is happening in the glass.

Who is it best for?

• Gin lovers who want a compact but memorable distillery visit in Edinburgh
• Couples who want something fun, small-group, and not too formal
• People who like hands-on souvenirs they can actually take home
• Anyone who enjoys short guided experiences with a clear payoff

If you are traveling with someone who does not drink alcohol, the tour is still usable. The minimum age for alcohol consumption is 18, and under 18 visitors can have a soft drink instead.

Guides make the difference, and the group stays human-sized

A big reason this tour gets strong feedback is the people leading it. Max and Marina are repeatedly described as engaging, friendly, and good at answering questions. Alyssa also comes up as warm and welcoming.

That is not a small point. In a tasting tour, the guide is your translator between what you are tasting and what it means. If the guide is dull or rushed, the whole thing feels like a sales pitch. When the guide is funny and interactive, you end up paying attention instead of just sipping.

I also like that the experience is limited to just 12 fellow gin lovers. Smaller groups mean fewer interruptions and more time for questions. It helps you feel like the tour is built around you, not around shoehorning everyone into the same moment.

Practical planning tips for your Edinburgh day

Here are the things that help you get the most out of it:

• Show up on time, because it is a short, 1-hour session and it runs at its own pace
• Bring your phone for the mobile ticket
• Expect English throughout, so if you need another language, you will want to confirm this before you book
• Plan packing space for the waxed 5cl bottle
• If you are pairing it with other plans, keep a little buffer afterward so you can settle into your next activity without rushing

The venue is near public transportation, so it is a good option when you do not want to fight with complicated transit. Most travelers can participate, and the experience is set up as an easy, friendly activity rather than something overly technical.

And yes, it is Edinburgh. You will probably want something warm and comfortable before or after. A gin tasting is fun, but you still might want a jacket nearby.

Should you book the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery tasting at Summerhall?

I think you should book if you want a small-group gin tour that gives you a real distillery look plus a guided tasting, without turning into a long day. The wax-sealed 5cl personalized bottle is a strong reason on its own, especially if you like souvenirs that feel earned.

You might skip it if you already know gin well and you want a long, technical deep training session. The time is limited, and the experience is designed as a concentrated tasting and tour, not an extended workshop.

My practical call: book it for your first or second Edinburgh gin stop, not as the final gin event of your trip. It is short, friendly, and it makes it easy to leave knowing what you like, then explore the city’s bars with better instincts.

FAQ

How long is the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery tasting tour?

The tour runs for about 1 hour.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK and the experience ends back at the meeting point.

What do I get for the price?

The admission ticket is included, and the experience includes the distillery tour, a tutored tasting of the 4 core gins, and waxing your own personalized miniature 5cl bottle to take home.

How many people are in the group?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What is the minimum age for alcohol?

The minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages is 18. Soft drinks are available for visitors under 18.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.