Evolution of Gin and Underground Gin Tasting in Edinburgh | 1hr
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
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!
Additional Info
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.
What To Expect
Gin! This underground gin tasting is an adventure through the evolution of gin, from the beginnings of distillation's history, to the great modern Scottish gins. Hosted in our unique underground venue, The Lost Close, you'll sample 4 very different gins, mixed to your tastes, tied in to the stories that our expert guides will recount. The space was once the first purpose built bank in Scotland, then converted into a prison, before finally being lost for years, and only uncovered in the past few years, making it Edinburghs most recently discovered underground venue! There's nowhere quite like it. Your guide will meet you upstairs and lead you underground for the show!
Options
Evolution of Gin and Underground Gin Tasting in Edinburgh | 1hr
What‘s Included
Exclusive Access to The Lost Close
Mixers! 3 different mixers are provided, so you can mix to your own preferred tastes
4 very different gin's from the history of gin's changing flavours
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
61 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
10 out of 10. Would recommend.
E1938HNalans,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I 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.
Great Gin Tasting Experience
Sandie H,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00An excellent introduction into the history of gin. Eleanor did a fabulous job! Discovered some unique new gins as well!
A must do!
camilacF5127NX,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely 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!
Factual and tasty.
Carol B,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very 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.
Great stories and drinks!
Kirsten B,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This 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.
Review
Katrina A,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Dan was very knowledgeable and it was an enjoyable journey through the history of gin with some really good examples
Excellent gin tasting experience
Alchemicsoi,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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.
Great tasting
Q8020PGkellyk,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great 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
Must do
PhilipChrist0pher,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Since 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.
Gun in Scotland
Dawn B,Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The history of Gin was great to guide was amazing. Could answer questions easy to talk to very social funny interactive.
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