Gin, but make it Edinburgh weird. This compact Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery experience happens in the former University Veterinary College at Summerhall, where you’ll see how small-batch gin gets made, then get a guided tasting around the stills.

I especially like the ending: you wax your own personalized 5cl bottle to take home. The one watch-out is that at about 1 hour, it’s a tight format—great for a first look, but not a long, slow sipping session.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• A real distillery setting at Summerhall in a historic former Vet College building
• Small group size (max 12), which keeps the tour feeling personal
• See the gin-making process and meet the stills Emily and Gertrude
• Guided tasting of 4 core gins as part of the tour flow
• Take-home fun: wax and personalize a 5cl bottle

Why Summerhall’s former Vet College setting changes the whole vibe

Edinburgh tours can blur together—especially if you’re doing a “quick attraction” loop. Here, the location gives you instant character. Summerhall is the kind of place where you feel like you’re stepping into a working space, not just walking through a museum.

The building matters because it shapes the tour tone. You’re touring in the old Veterinary College space, so the experience feels practical and grounded, like you’re learning a craft that’s currently alive—not something purely historical behind glass.

The distillery experience: stills Emily and Gertrude, plus small-batch craft

You start at the Summerhall Distillery / Pickering’s Gin area, where you’ll get a look at how Pickering’s small-batch gins are crafted. You’re not just told a story. You’re shown the setup and the process in the working distillery environment.

One detail I really like: the tasting is arranged around the stills named Emily and Gertrude. Those names make the space feel friendlier, and they give you something memorable to connect with the flavors you’re tasting.

If you’re the sort of person who likes understanding ingredients and steps, you’ll get enough structure to make the tasting make sense. It’s not “random sips.” It’s presented as part of the production story.

Your one-hour flow: tour first, tasting second, then the take-home bottle

This is a straightforward, time-efficient plan. You’ll spend about an hour total, starting with the gin-making tour and finishing with your take-home bottle moment.

• Stop 1: Summerhall Distillery / Pickering’s Gin

You’ll tour the distillery setting in the former Vet College space, then enjoy a tutored tasting of the 4 core gins. After that, you’ll wax your own miniature 5cl bottle and leave with it.

Because it’s compact, you should show up ready to learn and taste, not hoping for a slow crawl through multiple spirits. Think of it as an excellent intro with a hands-on souvenir at the end.

The guided tasting of Pickering’s four core gins

The tasting is built into the experience, and it’s centered on the 4 core range. That’s useful for you because core gins are the ones most directly tied to the brand identity. You’re not guessing what matters; you’re tasting the set the distillery treats as its backbone.

What to pay attention to during the tasting:

• How different botanicals come forward across the range
• How the gin style shifts (even when the alcohol base is the same)
• What you personally enjoy, so you’re not just “checking the box”

If you like your tastings with explanations, you’re in the right place. The setup is described as tutored, and the way the staff handle questions (with humor and good energy) is a consistent theme in feedback.

Waxing your own personalized 5cl bottle: the souvenir that feels like a mini project

At the end, you wax a personalized 5cl bottle. This is one of the best parts because it turns the visit into something you carry home that feels made by you—not just purchased.

Even if you’re not into craft souvenirs, this is a fun closer because it breaks the “tour and leave” pattern. You get a final activity right there at the distillery, and then you’re done in time to enjoy the rest of your day.

Practical note: since it’s alcohol-focused, there’s an age requirement (more on that below). But if you’re eligible to drink, this take-home step is part of the value.

Price and value: why $34.28 can make sense for a short Edinburgh stop

At $34.28 per person for about an hour, the price is not trying to compete with free walking tours or big “hop-on” passes. It’s paying for three things:

• Access to a working distillery experience at Summerhall
• A guided tasting of 4 core gins
• A take-home 5cl bottle finished with your own wax personalization

That last part is key. Many tastings give you samples and send you away. Here, you get a bottle that extends the experience beyond that one hour.

Is it pricey compared to a pub drink? Sure. But it’s also more structured than a pub experience, and you’re buying time with production and tasting guidance—not just liquid.

Guides are the secret ingredient: Max, Marina, and Alyssa’s style

This tour is only one hour long, so the guide’s energy matters even more. In feedback, the guides’ approach shows up repeatedly: people describe them as friendly, engaging, and able to make the history and process feel fun rather than like a lecture.

Names that come up often:

• Max: praised for handling questions and keeping the tour lively with humor
• Marina: noted for being engaging and wrapping tour + tasting into a clear, welcoming flow
• Alyssa: described as warm and welcoming, with one visit also mentioning additional pairing details alongside the experience

If you get along with a guide who talks through the “why” behind the gin—what’s happening and how it affects flavor—you’ll likely enjoy this tour even more.

Practical tips: timing, getting there, and how to use the mobile ticket

The tour starts at 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL and ends back at the meeting point. That’s helpful because you’re not stuck figuring out transportation at the end.

A few other logistics that matter:

• It’s in English
• It uses a mobile ticket
• It’s near public transportation
• The group limit is 12 people, so you’ll want to arrive a few minutes early to get settled

Booking-wise, the average timing is around 9 days in advance. If you’re visiting during peak season or on a weekend, I’d treat it as something worth reserving sooner rather than later.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different plan)

This works especially well if:

• You want a first-time gin experience with structure
• You like hands-on souvenirs (not just a drink)
• You prefer small groups where you can ask questions

You might consider a different option if you:

• Want a longer tasting with lots of extra stops
• Don’t drink at all (the tour is alcohol-centered, though there’s a soft drink option for under 18)

The good news is that the experience says most people can participate, so it’s broadly accessible in terms of general participation.

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour?

Book it if you want a compact Edinburgh activity that combines a distinctive location (Summerhall’s former Vet College), a guided look at how gin gets made, and a take-home souvenir that’s actually part of the fun.

Skip or swap it if you’re looking for a multi-hour “spirit crawl” or you don’t care about tasting guidance and want only a casual drink. In that case, you’ll likely feel like it’s over before you’re ready.

If you’re aiming for a high-value, small-group distillery visit with a memorable ending, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

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

It runs for about 1 hour.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $34.28 per person.

How many people are in each group?

The experience has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What happens during the tour?

You tour the Summerhall Distillery / Pickering’s Gin area, then enjoy a tutored tasting of 4 core gins, and finish by waxing a personalized 5cl bottle to take home.

Do you get alcohol if you are under 18?

No. The minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages is 18. If you’re under 18, you’ll be offered a soft drink.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation window for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Is it close to public transportation?

Yes, it’s described as near public transportation.