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

What makes this gin tasting interesting is that it happens underground in The Lost Close, a space with an unusual past and a very intimate feel. I really like how the night connects each pour to the evolution of gin, not just what is in the glass.

I also like the small group size, it makes it easy to ask questions and get a focused experience. One possible drawback: it is only about an hour, so if you want a long, laid-back tasting with lots of free time, you may wish you had more hours to linger.

Key things to know before you go

• Underground setting in The Lost Close with a past that adds real flavor to the stories
• 4 different gins served alongside a guided explanation of how gin changed over time
• Mixed to your tastes, so you are not stuck with one rigid style or recipe
• Small group format (max 10) that keeps the conversation going
• Meet upstairs, then go underground with your guide leading the way

Why this Edinburgh gin hour feels like a story you can taste

Edinburgh has plenty of pub nights, but this is something different. You trade the usual walk-and-wander approach for one focused hour where the spirit history drives the whole experience, and the venue does half the work for you.

The “underground” part is not just a gimmick. The Lost Close is a vaulted space that used to be Scotland’s first purpose-built bank, then it was turned into a prison, and for years it was basically forgotten until it was uncovered during recent renovations. That backstory matters because gin also has a past that twists, shifts, and gets reinvented. When you pair those two threads, the explanations land better.

For me, the best part is the pacing. You are not asked to memorize dates or names. Instead, you follow the logic of how gin traveled, changed, and became a modern Scottish drink, one tasting at a time. If you like learning while doing something enjoyable, this works.

The Lost Close: the building turns the lesson from dry to memorable

Before you even taste anything, you get a setting lesson. Your guide meets you upstairs and then leads you down into The Lost Close. Once you are underground, the space feels like a vault tucked under the Old Town lanes, which helps you understand why older spirits often belonged to hidden or less-polished spaces, not just fancy bars.

A couple details make this venue especially smart for a gin tour. First, the place used to serve serious, practical roles, like a bank and later a prison. That kind of history gives the experience weight. Second, the venue was only uncovered in the last few years, so it feels newly rediscovered, not like a dusty tourist set.

In short, the room supports the theme. Gin’s evolution is not a straight line, it is a series of changes in production methods and tastes. Being in a space that also had several identities helps you “feel” that idea.

How the tour connects gin history to what’s in your glass

This experience is built around one simple format: you taste four very different gins, and each one is tied to a story about where gin came from and how it evolved.

You start at the beginning of the broader story of distillation and then move through the steps that helped shape what people recognize as gin today. You also hear about infusion of botanicals and the way flavor profiles developed. By the time you reach modern Scottish gins, you are not just drinking for taste. You are tasting with context.

That approach is why non-gin drinkers often still enjoy this tour. If you think gin is only one thing, these four samples are designed to show you that gin can be herbal, spicy, citrus-leaning, or built around different botanical characters. The goal is appreciation of how the spirit changed, not just collecting four sips and moving on.

Also, the gins are mixed to your tastes. That small detail matters more than it sounds. It means the tasting is not always one-size-fits-all, and it gives you more control over how strong or how balanced you experience each style.

Your guide: storytelling that keeps the hour moving

A major reason people love this tour is the hosting. Names you might encounter include Dan and Sara, and the tone is consistent across hosts: funny, social, and able to answer questions clearly.

You are not just getting a monologue. The format encourages interaction, and the guide is intentional with the choices of gin. That last part is key. When a guide is thoughtful about why a gin is included, you notice patterns. For example, you start to see how botanicals and production choices can steer a drink toward different aromas and flavors.

The best hosts also bring local texture into the story. One of the strongest reviews mentioned how the guide tied gin history to Old Town Edinburgh. That does not mean the tour turns into a general city lecture. It stays focused on gin, but Edinburgh context adds flavor to the explanation.

What happens during the hour, step by step

This is a one-stop experience, and that is part of its strength. You do not spend your time traveling between multiple locations or waiting around for the next pick-up. You show up at the start point, meet your guide, and get pulled into the underground space where the tasting happens.

Meeting point and start

You meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, 1a Parliament Sq, Edinburgh EH1 1RF. The guide meets you there and then leads you underground. If you are arriving from somewhere else in central Edinburgh, you should be able to get there easily using public transportation, since the area is well connected.

Stop inside The Lost Close

Once you are underground, the session centers on tasting four gins and the evolution story behind them. Expect a guided walkthrough that connects distillation history, botanicals, and the progression toward modern Scottish gin.

Because the group is small, you can usually settle into conversation quickly. That matters for a tasting tour, because you often want to ask questions like:

• why one gin tastes sharper or softer than another
• how botanical choices affect aroma
• what changed in the spirit over time

If you enjoy a mellow but active first evening in Edinburgh, this works well because it is structured and timed. You get an experience without needing to plan a full night.

Price and value: why $37ish can feel fair for this format

At around $37.29 per person for roughly an hour, this is not a budget impulse-buy, but it is also not priced like a premium private tour. The value comes from three things.

First, you are paying for a guided story, not just access to a bar tasting. The explanation is the product. Second, you taste four different gins with guidance, rather than one or two. That gives you enough range to actually learn something about how gin varies. Third, the venue itself, The Lost Close, is part of the experience. You are not just sitting in a generic tasting room, you are underground in a space with a real history tied to Scotland’s buildings and reinventions.

If you already know gin basics and you want more than a standard sample flight, this tends to be a good match. If you only want to drink and do not care about the why behind flavors, you might feel the history is the main event.

Who this tour suits best (and who might skip it)

This is best for:

• gin fans who want a smarter way to taste, with context for why flavors differ
• Scotland-minded travelers who like Old Town stories
• people who like small-group activities and conversation
• anyone who is new to gin and wants to build appreciation through variety

It might be less ideal if:

• you strongly prefer free-form bar time, where you can order whatever you want and stay as long as you like
• you dislike guided history and only want tastings with no explanation
• you need a longer session to fully taste and compare at your own pace

That said, the format is friendly to reluctant gin drinkers. The tasting is arranged to help you understand gin as a family of styles, not a single product.

Practical planning tips so your hour goes smoothly

The biggest practical thing is to plan for an underground environment. That means you should dress for cool air and wear shoes that work well on older, less modern-feeling floors. The tour is an hour, but you might spend most of it standing or shifting slightly in a compact space.

Second, build a little time buffer into your arrival. You meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern in Parliament Square, and then you go upstairs and underground with your guide. If you arrive five minutes late and you are still trying to find the meeting spot, you will feel rushed.

Third, if you want to make the most of the tasting, go in curious. You do not need to be an expert. Just be ready to smell and sip slowly. The guide’s stories make more sense when you pay attention to how each sample smells and tastes.

Should you book this Evolution of Gin tour?

I think you should book it if you want a compact Edinburgh experience that combines four gin samples with real storytelling in an authentic underground setting. This tour is at its best when you like learning through taste, and when you appreciate a venue with a strong sense of place.

I would skip it if your main goal is long, free tasting time, or if you are strongly uninterested in the history behind gin. The hour is focused by design, and the history drives the experience.

If that sounds like your kind of evening, this is a smart, memorable way to spend an hour in Edinburgh.

FAQ

How long is the Evolution of Gin and Underground Gin Tasting in Edinburgh?

It lasts about 1 hour.

Where does the tour take place?

The tasting is held in Edinburgh at The Lost Close, in an underground venue.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $37.29 per person.

How many gins do you taste?

You taste four different gins during the experience.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Where do I meet the guide?

You start at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, 1a Parliament Sqr, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.