Evolution of Gin and Underground Gin Tasting in Edinburgh | 1hr
Description
More than just a gin tasting - this is about the Evolution of Gin! On this experience you'll follow the journey of gin from its origins to the modern spirit we know and love. Your guide will lead you through the different flavours, explain the history of gin, and suggest which mixers to add to the (4) gins you will sample - the mixing is left up to you so you can have it as strong or as delicate as you'd like! Held in The Lost Close, this is an area of Edinburgh that was buried underneath the old prison building until it was uncovered in 2018, a space that only we have access to, and there's nowhere else like it in the city!
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- The tour is strictly for adults. Children under 18 and infants under 1 year old cannot be accommodated.
Reviews(62)
I booked this tour on Viator for our small group and had an enjoyable time in the very special Lost Close with Elanor as our guide through some unique gin choices with a ton of history thrown in to make it very interesting as well. Mixers are included as well.
Hi Sandra, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted you enjoyed your gin tasting in The Lost Close—it's a special space for uncovering Edinburgh’s hidden stories, and it sounds like Elanor brought that spirit to life beautifully. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to her; she’ll be thrilled to hear she made your experience both informative and memorable. It’s great to know you appreciated the unique gin selections and the history woven throughout. Slàinte, The Lost Close Team
I brought my wife here as a wee surprise for our first anniversary and I managed to keep it a secret until we were led down into the vault. We loved the setting, the history of the vault and all the historical facts about gin. We also loved the gins that we sampled. Our tour guide, Halley was very personable and informative. A good time was had.
Thank you for choosing to mark such a special anniversary with us! We’re delighted the hidden setting, stories from Edinburgh’s past, and the evolution of gin made it a memorable surprise. It’s wonderful to hear that Haley’s warm, knowledgeable storytelling helped bring the experience to life. We hope the memories linger long after the last sip, and we’d love to welcome you back underground again. Slainte, The Lost Close Team
An excellent introduction into the history of gin. Eleanor did a fabulous job! Discovered some unique new gins as well!
Thank you for sharing such kind feedback on your gin tasting with us. We’re delighted you enjoyed uncovering the fascinating history of gin in our underground space, and that the selection introduced you to some unique new discoveries along the way. Eleanor will be thrilled to hear her storytelling and passion helped bring the experience to life. Creating engaging, flavour‑led journeys through the past is exactly what we love to do. Slainte, The Lost Close Team
Absolutely AMAZING! It’s a MUST, seriously. Hailey and Mark were fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, great sense of humor, storytelling skills and very patient with all our questions. Also they were very accommodating with my restriction of not liking gin (ahahah I know) - and let me joint the gin tour while also offering a beer one. Seriously, do it. And it’s insanely cheap for the value of it! Congratulations guys!
Thank you so much! Haley and Mark will be thrilled to hear this. We’re so glad you enjoyed the flexibility and the experience. Hope to see you again! Emilie – Marketing Manager
Very informative while still being enjoyable. Nikki did a great job of hosting the evening. She even moved rooms when I got claustrophobic in the smallest room.
Thank you for sharing this lovely feedback! We’re so pleased you enjoyed the experience and that Nikki made you feel comfortable throughout the evening. — Emilie, Marketing Manager
This was such an interesting way to learn about Scottish history through gin. All of the samples we tasted were a part of the story, and our host was such a wonderful story teller and you can tell it’s a topic she enjoys and she was very intentional with her choices of gin she shared with us. The tasting rooms and space were also really cool and definitely added to the experience.
Delighted you enjoyed learning history through gin! We love hearing how our hosts and space add to the experience. Cheers! – Emilie, Marketing Manager
Dan was very knowledgeable and it was an enjoyable journey through the history of gin with some really good examples
So glad you enjoyed your gin journey with Dan! Thanks for joining us and for sharing your kind feedback. – Emilie, Marketing Manager
We had an excellent time on the gin tasting. Sara was very knowledgeable and personable, and the history of gin was interesting and well presented, the selection of gins perfectly illustrated the evolution of the drink. Would highly recommend if you're in Edinburgh. The bar upstairs also does lovely food and coffee/drinks.
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed Sara’s gin tasting and the full experience, including our bar upstairs - John's Coffee House & Tavern. – Emilie, Marketing Manager
Great experience. Dan was a great guide and told the stories very well. We went as two friends and two other couples joined us for tasting. Very friendly setup
Delighted you enjoyed Dan’s storytelling and the friendly atmosphere – that’s what we aim for every time! – Emilie, Marketing Manager
Since we did a whiskey tasting and beer brewery visit in glasgow, we went to this gin tasting in edinburgh. The host was super friendly and the background of the gin was very interesting. Didnt knew anything about the gin crisis. The gins we tried were good and the advice which tonic should be mixed with which gin was super helpful. The basement where the tasting was taking place could be a bit better, i found it somehow a bit lifeless and empty.
Thank you for joining our gin tasting and for your feedback on the space – we’re glad you enjoyed the gins and history, and we’ll keep improving the setting! – Emilie, Marketing Manager
