Gin in a former vet college sounds odd. Then Summerhall pulls it off: it’s a small-group distillery tour in an old university building, with real craft and real tastings. I love that you get close to the process instead of just standing behind glass.

My favorite part is the hands-on finish: you wax your own personalized 5cl bottle to take home, not just leave with a souvenir. It turns the whole hour into something you can actually use later.

One consideration: it’s about 1 hour, so the pace is brisk. You’ll get the essentials, but it’s not the kind of experience where you’ll stretch it into a long, slow tasting marathon.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group (max 12) keeps the vibe friendly and questions easy to ask
• Summerhall’s old Veterinary College setting adds character before you even taste
• 4-core-range tasting happens after you see how the gins are crafted
• Two stills named Emily and Gertrude make the production story feel specific
• Waxing your own 5cl bottle gives you a take-home item with your own touch

Summerhall’s former Veterinary College: the setting that makes the tour feel real

Pickering’s Gin runs out of Summerhall, in Edinburgh, in a former Veterinary College building tied to the University. That location matters. You’re not in a generic industrial unit; you’re in a place with history and texture, the kind of venue that makes a short tour feel more memorable.

The setup also makes the tour feel casual but purposeful. You’re walking, looking, asking, tasting. It’s the difference between passive tourism and an actual experience where you can follow what’s happening step by step.

If you like craft food and drink, you’ll probably enjoy this format. It’s built for people who want to understand how something is made, not just sample it at the end. And since it’s limited to 12 people, it doesn’t feel crowded or rushed in the same way bigger tastings can.

A one-hour schedule that hits the good parts (and moves fast)

The whole tour clocks in at about 1 hour. That sounds short until you realize it’s packed in the smartest order: see the gin-making first, then taste the core range, then finish with the take-home bottle.

Here’s how it typically unfolds, in plain terms:

• You start at Summerhall, then settle in for the distillery portion
• You learn how the small-batch gins are made, then you move into tasting
• You finish with waxing a 5cl bottle, personalized and ready to go

Because the time is tight, it’s best if you show up ready to pay attention. Don’t plan a long wandering stop before this. Give yourself enough buffer to find the meeting point calmly and get settled.

Also, since the tour ends back where you start, you don’t need a separate plan for getting home right after. You can roll straight into dinner nearby once you’re done.

Inside the process: craft gin production at the Summerhall distillery

The distillery tour portion is designed to give you the storyline of small-batch gin—how the gins are crafted at Summerhall, and what makes this place and its approach distinct.

What I like about this kind of setup is that it turns the idea of gin from a vague bottle on a shelf into something you can picture. You’ll get to look at the equipment and follow along as the guide explains the production behind the scenes.

You’ll also hear about the stills that are part of the experience: Emily and Gertrude. Even if you don’t care about names for equipment, it helps you remember what you saw. It makes the tour feel more concrete, especially for people who aren’t drink-science people.

If you’re the type who likes learning facts but still wants to enjoy yourself, this will land well. The tour isn’t trying to turn you into a lab technician. It’s aiming for clarity and enjoyment, then backing it up with tasting.

The core-range tasting: how to make the most of it

After the production portion, you get a tutored tasting of the 4 core range. This is where the tour earns its keep. A gin tour isn’t really about the walk around the room. It’s about understanding what you’re actually drinking.

A few practical ways to enjoy the tasting:

• Take it slow during the first pour, then compare your impressions
• Pay attention to botanicals and how different gins feel in the glass
• Ask questions about what you’re noticing, even if they seem simple

The tour is small-group, so you’re more likely to get real answers rather than quick one-liners. You may also get a drink right at the start—one person noted a gin-and-tonic style start before the tour. Even if yours starts differently, the key remains the same: you’ll taste, you’ll compare, and you’ll leave with a better sense of what Pickering’s is doing across its core lineup.

A nice detail from the experience: some guides bring humor and storytelling into the mix. That matters. When the tasting feels fun, you taste more accurately and remember more later.

Wax your own 5cl bottle: the take-home you can actually personalize

Then comes the part that makes the tour feel special even after you’ve tasted everything: waxing your own personalized 5cl bottle to take home.

This is the kind of souvenir that doesn’t feel like clutter. A 5cl bottle is practical enough to share, bring to a friend, or keep as your Edinburgh gin story in a cabinet. And because you personalize it, it feels earned.

Waxing also changes the tone of the tour. You stop learning for a moment and start doing. That hands-on ending helps lock in the whole experience, especially if you’re visiting with a partner or someone who likes crafts.

If you’re thinking about gifting, this is a strong option. A take-home bottle from a real distillery tour feels better than a generic gift shop purchase. Just remember: the tour is about an hour total, so you’ll want to focus when it’s time to wax so your bottle comes out the way you want.

Guides who can keep it lively: Max, Marina, and Alyssa

One reason this tour lands well is the people running it. You may meet guides such as Max, Marina, or Alyssa, and the common thread is that they make the experience feel welcoming and approachable.

From what’s been shared, good guiding here looks like this:

• Clear explanations of gin-making and history
• Easy conversation while the group stays on track
• A fun rhythm that keeps even non-experts interested

If you’re nervous about not knowing enough about gin, don’t worry. The format is built for beginners as well as enthusiasts. The goal is understanding, not impressing anyone with jargon.

Price and value at $34.28 per person

At $34.28 per person, this isn’t a budget “quick sample” activity. But it also isn’t priced like a high-end private tasting that costs a fortune.

You’re paying for a focused package:

• Distillery access at Summerhall
• A tutored tasting of the 4 core range
• A 5cl bottle you wax and take home
• A small-group setting capped at 12

That last point—small group—matters for value. When the group is smaller, you get more of the “tutored” part and less of the “stand and watch” part. And the take-home bottle is a major chunk of what you’re leaving with.

One more practical value note: this type of tour tends to sell up. The average booking timing is around 9 days in advance, so if you have specific dates in mind, don’t wait until the last second.

Practical details that help you plan smoothly

This tour uses a mobile ticket, so bring it on your phone and be ready to show it at the meeting point. The start and end point are the same: 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK, and the activity ends back there.

It’s also listed as being near public transportation, which is handy if you don’t want to map a complicated route with heavy luggage. If you’re walking around Edinburgh that day, you can probably weave this into your plan without a headache.

Language is English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The minimum age for alcohol consumption is 18. If someone in your group is under 18, they can still participate with soft drink available.

Accessibility is described as workable for most travelers, so it should fit a lot of people. Still, if you have mobility concerns, it’s smart to double-check details with the provider before you go.

Who this tour suits best

This is a great fit if you want:

• A short, satisfying gin experience instead of a half-day commitment
• A tour that mixes making + tasting + a take-home bottle
• A smaller group where you can ask questions and stay engaged

It’s also a strong option for couples, especially because the format is social without being chaotic. If you’re celebrating something, the personalized bottle ending makes it feel extra.

If you’re the kind of gin enthusiast who wants deep nerd-level chemistry for a long time, you might feel it’s brief. But if you want a smart overview done well, you’re in the right place.

Should you book Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery Tour?

Yes, if you want an Edinburgh activity that feels hands-on and leaves you with something you made. The small-group cap, the tutored tasting of 4 core gins, and the wax-your-own 5cl bottle are a strong trio for the time and price.

Book it sooner rather than later if your dates are fixed, since the typical advance timing is about 9 days. And plan your day so you can arrive ready to focus—because once the tour starts, it runs efficiently and doesn’t linger.

Don’t book it if you specifically want a long, extended tasting session with lots of different pours beyond the core range. This is built as a tight one-hour experience with a clean ending.

FAQ

How long is the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour?

It lasts about 1 hour.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK.

What’s the price per person?

The tour costs $34.28 per person.

Is this a small-group experience?

Yes. It has a maximum group size of 12.

Can under-18s participate?

The minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages is 18. Under 18s can have a soft drink.

What do I take home?

You wax and take home a personalized 5cl bottle of gin.

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