Edinburgh: Gin Tasting at Underground Venue

Edinburgh’s Lost Close gives this gin tasting a setting far more memorable than a standard bar. Just behind St Giles Cathedral, you head underground from Parliament Square and sample four contrasting gins while your guide traces the spirit from Jenever to Navy Strength and London Dry.

I like the freedom to build each drink with different tonics and garnishes, and I like that the hour includes real history rather than a parade of samples. Guides such as Sarah, Sara, Nicky, and Dan bring plenty of warmth and humor to the storytelling. The main consideration is simple: this is for adults only, and one hour can pass quickly if you want long explanations or a leisurely drinking pace.

Key points

• A rare underground setting: Taste gin inside The Lost Close, an atmospheric venue beneath the Royal Mile.
• Four distinct samples: Compare different styles instead of drinking four versions of the same spirit.
• Make your own serve: Choose from several tonics and garnishes to suit a stronger or lighter drink.
• Gin with a Scottish connection: Learn how gin developed alongside Scotland’s changing social and drinking culture.
• A story-led hour: Guides use history, jokes, and anecdotes to keep the tasting lively.
• Good central location: Meet outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, just off the Royal Mile.

Entering The Lost Close beneath Parliament Square

The experience begins outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, just off the Royal Mile and behind St Giles Cathedral. The meeting point sits on Parliament Square, so it is easy to combine this tasting with a walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town.

From there, your group heads underground into The Lost Close. That change of setting matters. Instead of sitting in a bright modern tasting room, you get an old underground venue with a more theatrical feel. One past participant described sipping gin while seated in an old jail cell, which gives you a good sense of the unusual atmosphere.

The venue is not just a backdrop. It helps connect the drink to Edinburgh’s older streets and crowded past. You are still taking part in a modern tasting, but the low, historic setting gives the hour a little drama without turning it into a costume show.

The space may also shape the social side of the experience. A small group of six has been reported, and the setting encourages conversation between people who may not know one another. That can be a plus if you enjoy shared tastings. If you prefer a quiet, private drink, the group format may feel more active than a bar visit.

Four gins, four different ways to taste them

The main event is a tasting of four gins. The point is comparison. You are not simply handed four identical measures and asked to pick a favorite. The session introduces different styles and flavor profiles, helping you notice what you actually like.

Your guide explains how each gin can work with different mixers and garnishes. You then choose your tonic and adjust the drink to your taste. You can keep it bold and spirit-forward, or make it lighter and more refreshing.

That small amount of control makes the tasting more useful than a fixed flight. If you usually order gin and tonic without thinking about the details, this is a chance to test the effect of the mixer. A tonic can sharpen, soften, sweeten, or change the balance of a gin. Garnishes add another layer, even if your choices are guided rather than fully open-ended.

I would pay attention to the differences between each sample instead of trying to finish every drink quickly. The session is only an hour, and four tastings with tonic can add up. Take notes mentally, or ask your guide which bottle best suits the style you prefer. The goal is not only to enjoy the drinks, but to leave with a clearer idea of what to order later.

From Jenever to Old Tom and London Dry

The history section follows gin through several important stages. You will hear about Jenever, an early spirit related to gin, then move through styles such as Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry.

These names can sound like a list of labels until you understand how they differ. Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry each point to a different chapter in gin’s development and to different ideas about flavor, strength, and production. The guide uses the tasting to give these names practical meaning.

This is where the experience earns more than the cost of four drinks. You are not expected to arrive with specialist knowledge. The guide explains the changes in plain language and connects them to the samples in front of you.

The Scottish connection is another useful part of the talk. The experience does not treat gin as an isolated English bar drink. It places gin within Scotland’s own story and explains how the spirit became part of the country’s drinking culture.

The tone appears to be lively rather than academic. Sarah has been praised for mixing historical detail with amusing stories, while other guides have been described as friendly, cheerful, and good at keeping the group involved. You should expect a performance with facts, not a lecture packed with dates.

Why tonic water gets its own chapter

Gin’s partner has a story of its own. You will hear how tonic water began as a medicinal drink and later became the familiar mixer used in gin and tonic.

That detail gives the tasting a wider angle. It explains why tonic is not just a sweet carbonated filler. Its role developed from a very different purpose, and the modern gin and tonic grew from that earlier use.

The tonic discussion also leads naturally into the hands-on part of the session. Once you understand that different tonics can alter a drink, you have a reason to compare them rather than automatically choosing the same mixer every time.

For you, the practical lesson is straightforward. The best gin and tonic is not one fixed recipe. It depends on the gin, the tonic, the garnish, and your own taste. The experience lets you test those combinations without committing to a full bottle at home.

A guide-led tasting with plenty of personality

The guide is central to the quality of this activity. The samples and venue provide the structure, but the storytelling controls the pace.

Several guides have received strong praise for being entertaining as well as well informed. Sarah is often associated with the experience, and Sara, Nicky, and Dan have also led sessions. Their approach includes historical detail, jokes, anecdotes, and answers to questions after the main presentation.

That last point is worth noting. One session ran beyond the planned hour while the guide answered questions. You should not count on extra time every day, but it suggests that the format leaves room for conversation when the group is interested.

The best sessions will depend partly on your group. A lively group can make the underground room feel warm and sociable. A quieter group may give you more space to listen closely. Either way, the activity is built around direct interaction with the guide, so it suits people who enjoy asking questions and talking about what they are tasting.

If you already know a great deal about gin, you may find some of the basic history familiar. The value then comes from the unusual venue, the range of samples, and the chance to compare mixers. For most drinkers, the mix of clear explanation and humor should keep the hour moving.

What the one-hour schedule feels like

The stated duration is one hour. That makes this a convenient evening starter rather than a half-day commitment.

The session likely follows a simple rhythm:

• Meet outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern.
• Enter The Lost Close with the guide.
• Hear the opening story of gin and its connection to Scotland.
• Taste four different gins with tonic options and garnishes.
• Compare styles, discuss flavor profiles, and ask questions.

The four samples are spread through the presentation rather than treated as a single drinking challenge. That helps the history and tasting support each other.

I like this length for a busy Edinburgh itinerary. You can fit it between Old Town sightseeing and dinner, or use it as the first stop of an evening. The limitation is that there is not much time for lingering. If you want a slow tasting with detailed production talk about every bottle, a longer distillery visit would offer more room.

For a first introduction to gin, though, one hour is efficient. You get a clear overview, four examples, and enough practical guidance to understand your own preferences.

Is $36 a fair price?

At $36 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink gin in Edinburgh. You could order a gin and tonic for less at many bars. But a direct price comparison misses what you are paying for here.

The fee includes four gin tastings, tonics, garnishes, a live English-speaking guide, and access to The Lost Close. It also covers the explanation behind the drinks and the use of a venue you would not normally enter as part of a casual bar visit.

I consider the price reasonable if you value the setting and the guided comparison. You are paying for an experience with a beginning, middle, and end, not just four small pours.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a large drink or already have a firm favorite gin. This is a learning-focused tasting, and the portions are designed for comparison. Go for the stories and the chance to test styles, not for a full night of drinking.

Who should book this gin tasting?

This activity suits adults who enjoy spirits, local history, and unusual places. It works well for couples, friends, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a small group.

I would especially recommend it if you are curious about gin but do not know the difference between London Dry, Old Tom, and Navy Strength. The guide makes those categories easier to understand, and the tasting gives you a direct way to compare them.

It is also a good choice for a first evening in Edinburgh. The meeting point is central, the duration is short, and the experience gives you both a drink and a sense of the Old Town beneath its busy streets.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, under 18, or bringing a baby under one year old. Smoking is not allowed indoors. Transportation is not included, but the meeting point is central and the activity begins just off the Royal Mile.

English is the only listed tour language. If you need another language, this will not be the right fit.

Practical tips before you go

Arrive at the meeting point outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern rather than searching for an entrance to The Lost Close on your own. The group heads underground together.

Give yourself enough time to find Parliament Square. The venue is behind St Giles Cathedral, just off the Royal Mile, but Edinburgh’s Old Town streets can be confusing if you are rushing.

Keep your evening plans flexible after the tasting. The official session lasts one hour, but a guide may spend extra time answering questions if the group is engaged.

Do not assume you must drink every serve in the same way. Since you can mix the samples with different tonics and garnishes, use the opportunity to find the balance you prefer. A stronger drink may show the gin more clearly, while a lighter serve can make comparison easier for casual drinkers.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a compact Edinburgh experience with character, especially one that combines local atmosphere, gin education, and guided tasting. The Lost Close gives the hour a setting you will remember, while the four gins and tonic choices give you something practical to take away.

I would not choose it as a substitute for a full distillery tour or a long cocktail class. It is shorter and more social. But at $36, it offers a fair mix of drinks, history, and place, with guides who bring warmth and humor to the subject.

For an adult couple or a small group looking for an unusual start to an evening, this is an easy recommendation. Go ready to listen, compare, and discover that your preferred gin and tonic may not be the one you usually order.

FAQ

Where does the gin tasting meet?

Meet outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern on Parliament Square, just off the Royal Mile and behind St Giles Cathedral. The group heads underground from there.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is one hour. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How many gins will I taste?

You will taste four different gins. Tonics and garnishes are included, and you can mix the drinks to suit your preferences.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

No. The listed tour language is English.

Who cannot join the experience?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, or babies under one year old. Smoking is not allowed indoors.

What is included in the price?

The $36 price includes four gin tastings, an expert guide, tonics, garnishes, and exclusive access to The Lost Close. Transportation is not included.