Gin plus Edinburgh plus underground history is a winning combo. This underground tasting at The Lost Close turns a simple drink into a guided story of Scotland and gin, served with atmosphere. You sample four very different gins, then you choose how you mix them with tonics and garnishes.

The other big win is the focus on the evolution of gin, not just brands. Guides have been praised for lively, question-friendly storytelling, including names like Sara, Sarah, Nicky, and Dan. The only real drawback is time, since the whole experience is about an hour, so you will want to pay attention and make your choices fast.

Key points before you go

• The Lost Close access: you head underground from just off the Royal Mile into a truly atmospheric venue.
• Four gins, four styles: you taste multiple gin types and compare how flavor changes.
• Mixing is yours to control: you build your own serve with guidance, tonics, and garnishes.
• Tonic water has a history: the tonic story connects to medicinal uses before it became gin’s partner.
• A guided evolution lesson: you cover gin’s path through styles tied to Scotland, from Jenever to Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry.
• Strong guide energy: people repeatedly highlight guides like Sara, Sarah, Nicky, and Dan for keeping things fun and clear.

Edinburgh underground gin tasting at The Lost Close, what it really feels like

This experience is all about setting. Edinburgh already has layers, history on history, but The Lost Close takes it further by moving you underground. When you leave the street behind and walk into that dim, close-in venue, the whole tasting turns from casual to cinematic.

I like that it is not just a room where you get a sample cup and move on. Here, the location matters because it supports the story being told. It is the kind of place where you can actually picture how older spirits traveled, how they were marketed, and how tastes changed over time.

And you feel it in the group dynamic. Multiple reviews mention a friendly, together vibe, with people enjoying the evening in a small group. One review specifically called out a group of six, which is about right for a tasting where you want to actually hear the guide and respond to what is being explained.

Possible consideration: because it is about one hour, it is not a slow, sit-all-night bar experience. If you want a long tasting with lots of time to linger between pours, you may feel a little rushed.

How the 1 hour session moves, from gin origins to modern styles

You start with a guided journey through gin’s roots and how it ties into Scotland. The pacing is practical: each part of the story comes with a reason to care, then you taste your way through it.

Here is how the session is structured in plain terms:

1) Gin’s background and the Scottish connection

You learn how gin developed and how Scotland factors into the spirit’s story. Expect the guide to connect the dots between culture, production, and changing consumer taste.

2) The tonic water backstory, medicinal first

A key thread is tonic water. Instead of treating it like a mixer you only care about for flavor, the guide explains its earlier use for medicinal purposes and how it became the classic partner for gin.

3) Gin evolution through recognizable style names

This is where the tasting becomes more than drinking. You move through gin styles that represent different eras and taste profiles, including Jenever, Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry. Even if you have only heard some of these terms, you will get enough context to understand why they taste the way they do.

Then you circle back to what you actually want in your glass: how to taste, how to compare, and what to mix.

Your four-gin tasting, and why the guide pushes you to compare

You are tasting four distinct gins, and the big value is comparison. Instead of one gin repeated four times, you get variety. That matters because people often think they either like gin or they do not. This session challenges that by showing how style changes the experience.

You will get expert guidance on things like:

• flavor profiles (how the botanicals come across)
• ideal mixer pairings (what tends to work better with each gin)
• suggested garnishes (what adds aroma or a complementary taste)

What you control is the mixing. The guide gives structure, then leaves you room to create your own serve. If you like bold and strong, you can lean into that. If you want light and refreshing, you can adjust your tonic and garnish choices accordingly.

A detail I appreciate: the guide does not just tell you what to like. They explain the why. That makes your tasting more than a one-time sampling, because you start learning how to choose a gin on your own later.

Tonics and garnishes: how to build a drink that matches your taste

This is the part that turns a tasting into a mini skills lesson. The tonics and garnishes are provided, so you can focus on your preferences instead of hunting for the right ingredients.

Here is what you can expect in practice:

• You try different tonic options paired with each gin.
• You use garnishes suggested by the guide, then you can adjust based on your own taste.
• You compare what changes when the gin stays the same and the tonic or garnish shifts.

This matters because tonic is not just a default mixer. It brings bitterness, bubbles, and a flavor backbone. And garnishes are not decoration. They can shift aroma and make the botanicals feel louder or softer.

If you tend to drink gin cocktails at home, this session can help you understand why certain recipes work. You will start to notice patterns like how a style with stronger punch might need a more balanced tonic, or how a garnish might lift citrus or spice notes.

The story behind gin styles: Jenever, Old Tom, Navy Strength, London Dry

The evolution part is where the experience earns its keep. It is not history for history’s sake. It helps you decode what you taste.

You will hear about gin’s transformation over the centuries, and you will connect it to named styles, including:

• Jenever

Often associated with earlier gin traditions, with a flavor profile that can feel more rounded and spirit-forward than many modern gins.

• Old Tom

A style name that signals a different era and typically a different balance of sweetness and character.

• Navy Strength

A signpost for higher-strength expressions, which usually means more intensity and backbone.

• London Dry

The style name most people recognize. You learn what the term implies and how it tends to taste in practice.

Even though you are only tasting four gins, the guide’s job is to make those style names meaningful. You should leave with a clearer mental map, so when you see a bottle back in your home bar, you can guess what direction it will take your palate.

The guides, the pacing, and why people keep praising the delivery

A tasting lives or dies on the guide. This one seems to consistently land because the storytelling is described as enthusiastic, funny, and structured around the tasting.

Several reviews mention the guides as entertaining and extremely knowledgeable in a way that does not feel stiff. One highlight that stood out is how some guides stayed longer to answer questions, which tells me the session is not just a script read and done. It is interactive.

You may also feel a bit of performance. One review described it as a theatrical twist compared with the typical gin tasting. That likely means the guide uses pacing, anecdotes, and tone changes to keep you paying attention as they move through the gin evolution timeline.

Practical tip for you: if you have specific taste preferences, bring them to mind before you arrive. People mention the guide helped them notice preferences during the tasting. If you know you like citrusy, floral, piney, or spicy, you can tune your mixing choices faster.

Where you meet near St Giles Cathedral, and how to plan your timing

The meeting point is outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, just off the Royal Mile behind St Giles Cathedral on Parliament Square. From there, you head underground into The Lost Close.

Why this matters: Edinburgh is walkable but easy to get turned around, especially if you are bouncing between nearby streets. If you plan for the walk from wherever you are staying and show up a few minutes early, you will start the experience relaxed instead of hunting for the entrance.

Duration is about 1 hour, and starting times depend on availability. That also means it fits nicely into an evening schedule. If you have dinner nearby, this can be a fun prelude, but keep dinner plans flexible, since you will still be tasting and building your own drink during the hour.

Transportation is not included, so you will want to handle getting there on your own.

Price and value: is $36 worth it?

At $36 per person, you are paying for more than samples. You get:

• tasting of 4 different gins
• tonics and garnishes for mixing
• an expert guide
• exclusive access to The Lost Close

The value logic is simple. A typical tasting might charge similarly but only hand you one or two spirits. Here, the comparison factor is built in, and the hour is structured around learning and mixing. That combination makes your $36 feel more like a guided experience than a quick bar stop.

Also, the underground venue is part of what you are paying for. You are not just drinking in a generic room. You are inside a place that supports the history theme, which makes the whole evening more memorable.

Who should consider it:

• people who like gin but want to understand what changes flavor
• visitors who want a “do something” evening, not only museums
• small groups and couples looking for a shared activity with a story

Who this Edinburgh gin tasting suits best, and who might skip it

This experience is best for adults 18+ who enjoy guided tastings and learning while they drink.

It is not suitable for:

• pregnant women
• children under 18 years
• babies under 1 year

And smoking indoors is not allowed.

If you like interactive activities, a guide-led structure, and trying multiple styles in a single session, you will probably have a great time. If you hate guided group experiences or you are the type who wants to drink without talking, this may feel too structured.

One more practical thought: because mixing is part of the fun, it helps if you are comfortable making choices quickly and tasting along the way.

Should you book this underground gin tasting in Edinburgh?

If you want an evening that mixes taste, story, and a genuinely atmospheric setting, I think you should book. The price lines up with the value because you are getting four gin tastings plus tonics, garnishes, and a guided evolution lesson in an exclusive underground venue.

I would especially recommend it if you want to understand gin styles like Jenever, Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry, instead of only trying whatever cocktail sounds good. And if you have any interest in tonic water beyond being a mixer, the medicinal-to-modern partner story is a smart bonus.

Skip it only if you are looking for a long, unstructured bar hang or you need a quiet, low-interaction experience. Otherwise, it is the kind of Edinburgh activity that makes the city feel intimate, historical, and fun all at once.

FAQ

How long is the Edinburgh gin tasting experience?

The tour duration is 1 hour.

What is included in the $36 per person price?

You get a tasting of 4 different gins, an expert guide, tonics, garnish, and exclusive access to The Lost Close.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

Is transportation included?

No, transportation is not included.

Who is this experience not suitable for, and are there any venue rules?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18 years, and babies under 1 year. Smoking indoors is not allowed.

Is there a cancellation option for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.