Edinburgh: Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour (Distillery & Tasting)

Edinburgh’s Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour offers a captivating one-hour distillery and tasting experience at Summerhall. Priced accessibly, the tour includes sampling four award-winning gins, a welcome drink, and a miniature bottle to take home. Suitable for those 18 and over, the tour provides insights into the gin distillation process from knowledgeable distillers. With a stellar rating, this tour promises to delight gin enthusiasts in a vibrant setting. But what makes this tour truly unique, and why should one consider exploring it further?

Key Points

1. The Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour is a one-hour distillery and tasting experience at Summerhall, Edinburgh, priced from $32.43 per person.
2. Guests can sample four award-winning gins, receive a welcome gin and tonic, and take home a 5cl gin miniature as a souvenir.
3. The tour is accessible to wheelchair users, and guests must be 18 or older, with a standing requirement during the experience.
4. Cancellation with a full refund is available up to 24 hours in advance, and private tours are offered for groups over 8 guests.
5. The tour has an impressive 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on 130 reviews, praised for its informative nature and knowledgeable guides.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Details

The Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour is a one-hour distillery and tasting experience held at Summerhall in Edinburgh. Priced from $32.43 per person, the tour is conducted in English and is accessible to wheelchair users.

Guests must be 18 or older, and private tours are available for groups over 8. The tour includes learning about the gin distillation process, sampling four award-winning gins, enjoying a welcome gin and tonic, and taking home a 5cl gin miniature.

Reviewers praise the knowledgeable guides and informative, engaging nature of the tour. Visitors should note the standing requirement and that food isn’t allowed.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

To book the Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour, guests can reserve their spot without any upfront payment. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, allowing for a full refund. Guests should check availability for starting times, as group size is limited.

| Booking | Cancellation | Group Size |

|———|————–|————|

| Reserve now & pay later | Free cancellation up to 24 hours | Private tours for groups over 8 guests |

| Book spot with no upfront payment | Full refund with cancellation | Separate bookings for public tours may be refused entry |

Tour Highlights

During the Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour, guests learn about the gin distillation process and sample four award-winning gins.

They’ll enjoy a gin and tonic upon arrival before getting an inside look at Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years.

Guests will meet the distillers and observe the stills in action, gaining a deeper understanding of how gin is produced.

As a souvenir, each participant receives a 5cl miniature bottle of Pickerings gin to take home.

The tour provides an engaging and informative experience for gin enthusiasts.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customers have overwhelmingly praised the Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour, rating it an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 130 reviews.

Reviewers highlight the tour’s informative and engaging nature, with one American visitor noting they "learned so much." A Canadian guest praised the knowledgeable guide, Max, while a UK reviewer described the tour as "great" and the gin as "brilliant."

The tour’s highlights, including sampling award-winning gins and receiving a miniature bottle, seem to have resonated with visitors.

More Great Tours Nearby

Important Information

The Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour operates in any weather, with most activities taking place indoors. Guests should be prepared to stand throughout the tour.

Outside food isn’t permitted. The distillery reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone under the influence of alcohol, with no refund provided.

The meeting point is the Royal Dick Bar at Summerhall, located immediately to the left after Reception. Visitors are advised to arrive on time, as the tour won’t wait for latecomers.

Arrival and Meeting Point

Visitors arrive at the meeting point, the Royal Dick Bar located within Summerhall, immediately after the reception area.

The bar serves as the starting point for the Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour. Guests are expected to check-in at the bar and wait for the tour to begin. The distillery staff will greet the group and provide a gin and tonic upon arrival to set the mood.

Punctuality is important, as the tour operates on a strict schedule. Latecomers may be refused entry, per the tour policies.

Once the group is assembled, the tour guide will lead them into the distillery for the start of the experience.

Gin Distillation Process

As guests enter the distillery, the tour guide begins explaining the gin distillation process in detail. They learn that the key steps include mashing, fermentation, distillation, and infusion. Guests are shown a table outlining the process:

| Step | Description |

|——|————-|

| Mashing | Combining botanicals and neutral grain spirit |

| Fermentation | Allowing the mixture to ferment |

| Distillation | Heating the mixture to extract the gin |

| Infusion | Infusing additional botanicals for flavor |

| Bottling | Filtering, diluting, and bottling the final gin |

The guide emphasizes the importance of carefully selecting botanicals and managing each step to produce Pickerings’ award-winning gins.

Gin Tasting and Takeaway

Following the distillation overview, guests sample four of Pickerings’ award-winning gins.

The tasting experience allows visitors to:

• Discover Pickerings’ signature gin, along with three limited-edition expressions

• Observe the distinct botanicals, aromas, and flavors that define each gin

• Receive personalized guidance from knowledgeable distillers on the tasting notes

• Cleanse the palate with a refreshing gin and tonic upon arrival

• Take home a 5cl miniature bottle of Pickerings gin as a memento of the experience

This intimate tasting showcases the craftsmanship and creativity behind Edinburgh’s pioneering gin distillery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Purchase Additional Gin Bottles During the Tour?

Yes, guests can purchase additional bottles of Pickerings gin during the tour. The tour includes a 5cl miniature bottle to take home, but visitors are welcome to buy full-size bottles if they wish.

Are There Any Discounts Offered for Student or Senior Tickets?

The tour does not offer any discounted tickets for students or seniors. Prices are a flat rate of $32.43 per person, regardless of age or student status. Additional gin bottles can be purchased separately after the tour.

How Long Does the Tour Take in Total With the Gin Tasting?

The total duration of the tour, including the gin tasting, is 1 hour. The tour overview states that the Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour lasts 1 hour, and it includes sampling four award-winning gins as part of the experience.

Is Photography Permitted During the Distillery Tour?

Photography is generally permitted during the distillery tour. However, visitors are advised to check with the tour guides as there may be certain areas or moments where photography is restricted to avoid disruption or protect the distillery’s operations.

Can I Bring My Own Snacks or Food to Consume During the Tour?

According to the tour information, guests are not allowed to bring their own food. The tour guides reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who does not follow this policy, with no refund provided.

The Sum Up

The Pickerings Gin Jolly Tour offers an engaging one-hour distillery experience in Edinburgh’s Summerhall. With a 4.8-star rating, the tour provides insights into the gin distillation process, four gin samples, a welcome drink, and a miniature bottle to take home. Suitable for those 18 and older, this tour promises to delight gin enthusiasts in a vibrant setting.

You can check availability for your dates here: