Evolution of Gin and Underground Gin Tasting in Edinburgh | 1hr

Overview

Available languages

English

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

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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

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

Reviews

4.95

58 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Factual and tasty.
Carol B,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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.
Great stories and drinks!
Kirsten B,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
Review
Katrina A,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Dan 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
5.00
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.
Great tasting
Q8020PGkellyk,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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
Must do
PhilipChrist0pher,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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.
Gun in Scotland
Dawn B,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The history of Gin was great to guide was amazing. Could answer questions easy to talk to very social funny interactive.
Thank You Nicky!!
Jloughran818,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did the Gin tasting. The venue is very cool and our guide Nicky was so kind and informative. I really had no idea about the history of Gin but it was a fascinating story on how it came to be. This was a fun thing to do while in Edinburgh!!!
Great location, great host, great gins
DhuneJ,
Aug 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Went along with group of friends, it was great to learn about the history of gin and the surrounding social history together. Dan was a knowledgeable and entertaining host who answered all of our questions and ensured that we all had a good laugh as well.
Another Scottish spirit story
Michael H,
Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Focus is on the history and development of gin, rather than tasting several contemporary products. Helps give an appreciation of how this spirit came to be an important Scottish product. Setting is a vault underneath the old passageways near St. Giles - helps emphasize gins' less prestigious origins.