Gin history goes underground in Edinburgh. In The Lost Close, I love the atmosphere—right off the Royal Mile, but below street level—and I love the hands-on format: four distinct gins paired with tonics and garnishes, with the mixing left to you. One thing to consider: it’s underground, and the tasting is still alcohol-focused, so keep your pace in mind if you’re sensitive to stronger spirits.

This is a 1-hour, English-language, live-guided experience that leans into story and setting. You’ll meet outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern (just off the Royal Mile, behind St Giles Cathedral on Parliament Square) and head down from there, where guides such as Sarah/Sara, Nicky, and Dan have helped turn the history into something you can feel—complete with an old-jail-cell style vibe.

Key things I’d focus on before you go

• The Lost Close underground setting makes a normal tasting feel like a small event
• Four gins, not repeats, each with different flavor directions and pairing ideas
• Mix-your-own tonics so you can create something stronger or lighter
• A guided timeline from Jenever through Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry
• Tonic water’s medicinal origins explain why tonics belong in the story
• Storytelling that stays fun with humor and lots of room for questions

Why The Lost Close changes the whole gin tasting

Edinburgh can be busy above ground. Down at The Lost Close, the mood is different right away: you’re in an underground space tied to the city’s older bones, not a modern bar that could be anywhere. That matters, because gin tasting works best when you slow down just a bit—smell, sip, compare—and the setting helps you do that without forcing it.

I also like that this isn’t only about drinking. The format is built like a guided performance. You’re not just handed a flight and left to guess. The guide ties each gin and mixer choice to a point in the gin story, so each sip has context.

And the vibe is group-friendly. People describe a warm, chatty atmosphere—like the space naturally encourages you to look around, ask questions, and trade ideas about what you’re tasting.

Finding the meeting point near St Giles Cathedral

This tour starts at a very specific spot: outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern. It’s just off the Royal Mile, behind St Giles Cathedral on Parliament Square. From there, the group heads underground together.

That’s practical for two reasons. First, you don’t need to hunt through alleyways with a pin dropped on a map. Second, starting near a major landmark makes it easier to connect the tour to the rest of your day—Royal Mile wandering, then down for an hour.

If you’re arriving early, don’t just hover somewhere random. Give yourself an extra few minutes to get your bearings fast and be ready when the group gathers and walks off.

The 1-hour flow: four gins, tonics, garnishes, and your own mix

The experience runs about 1 hour. In that time, you’ll taste four gins, each coming with expert guidance on flavor direction and how to think about the mixer.

Here’s what makes the tasting part feel more useful than a standard flight: you get tonics and garnishes, and the guide gives suggested pairings, but the final mix is yours. You can lean into something bold and strong, or you can make a lighter, more refreshing serve.

In practice, this changes how you learn. Instead of memorizing which one is best, you start noticing what you personally prefer:

• Do you like the sharper edge a stronger serve brings?
• Do you prefer a softer, lighter sip with a particular tonic direction?
• Do certain garnishes pull the taste toward something more aromatic?

You’re tasting, but you’re also making small decisions. That turns the hour into something you can take with you next time you order gin.

The guided timeline: from Jenever to London Dry

The heart of this tour is the gin evolution story, tied directly to Scotland and the way gin changed across time. The guide walks you through a sequence that includes:

• Jenever
• Old Tom
• Navy Strength
• London Dry

That lineup is doing a lot of work. It gives you a framework to understand why modern gin tastes the way it does, instead of treating each bottle as a mystery.

I also like that the guide connects gin to Scottish history rather than making it feel like a generic drinks lesson. It’s not only about what to taste—it’s about why these styles exist and how the spirit’s identity evolved over the centuries.

The best part is the pacing. You don’t get one long lecture. The story moves in step with the tasting, so the history lands while your palate is still active.

Why tonic water’s medicinal past matters for your sip

Tonic water isn’t treated as an afterthought here. You’ll hear why tonic water originally had medicinal use, and how it became gin’s natural partner.

That explanation matters because it helps you stop thinking about tonic as just a sweet mixer. You start tasting it as part of the historical equation—something that was meant to do more than add sugar or carbonation.

Once you understand that, the guide’s tonic pairings feel less random. Even if you don’t follow every suggestion, you’ll have a clearer sense of what tonic is doing in the glass.

And because mixing is up to you, you can test the idea fast: tweak how strong you make it, or shift the tonic choice and see how the gin character responds.

The storytelling: more theater than homework

If you’re worried that this will feel like a classroom with tiny sips, don’t be. The way guides run it tends toward energetic storytelling, with humor and a pace that keeps people paying attention.

Some groups note that the format feels a bit theatrical, and that the venue itself adds a sense of drama—there’s even mention of an old jail cell style setting. Even if you don’t care about the history of the building, the setting supports the mood of the performance.

The guides have also been described as enthusiastic and entertaining, and some people say their guide stuck around longer to answer questions. That’s a big deal for me, because gin tastes can be personal. If you have a question like what to try next time or how to adjust your mix, extra time can make the hour feel more like a conversation and less like a scripted program.

Price and value: is $36 worth it?

At $36 per person for about an hour, this isn’t a bargain tasting where you pay for volume. It’s priced like an experience—one that includes:

• tasting of 4 different gins
• expert guide
• tonics
• garnish
• exclusive access to The Lost Close

For value, I look at what you’d otherwise have to pay for separately: guided storytelling plus a structured tasting flight plus the mixers and garnishes. If you were doing this on your own, you’d still need a place that pours multiple styles, and you’d likely end up paying for drinks without the historical context that makes the tasting “stick.”

Also, the mix-your-own approach justifies the price. You’re not consuming a set formula and hoping for the best; you’re experimenting inside a guided framework. That tends to feel more worthwhile than a one-size-fits-all tasting.

One more subtle value point: it’s timed. You get a focused 1-hour session, not a vague evening activity. If your Edinburgh schedule is packed, that makes it easier to justify.

Timing, logistics, and what to expect on arrival

You’ll want to plan around that 1-hour duration. Starting times depend on availability, so check ahead and choose a slot that won’t rush you. The meeting is outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, and the group heads underground together once everyone is in place.

Transportation isn’t included, so you’ll need to cover that on your own. The good news is the location is central—Royal Mile area—so you can usually connect it to walking routes in the city.

One rule to note: smoking indoors isn’t allowed. If you smoke, plan for a quick outside stop before you head down.

Who this tour is perfect for (and who should skip it)

This is a great fit for:

• people who like drinks, but also want the “why” behind what they’re tasting
• friends who want a small-group, story-based evening activity near the Royal Mile
• anyone who enjoys comparing styles and making a personal mix instead of following one preset

It may not be for you if:

• you want a quiet, sit-and-taste-only experience with zero story
• you’re specifically looking for a food-focused meal pairing (this is about gin and mixers)

There are also clear suitability limits: it’s not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, and babies under 1 year.

How to get the most from your tasting hour

You only have about an hour, so small choices matter.

Here’s how I’d approach it if you want to leave with real answers about your preferences:

• Start with curiosity, not certainty. Make notes in your head: which gin direction feels easiest for you?
• Try the guide’s suggested garnishes at least once, even if you later swap them. Garnishes can change the perception more than you expect.
• Adjust strength slowly. If you go bold early, later mixes might feel too heavy.
• Don’t feel pressured to finish every sip at full speed. You’ll taste better when you pace it.

Also, if you have questions about differences between styles (Jenever vs Old Tom, or Navy Strength vs London Dry), this tour’s format is designed for that kind of discussion. Bring your curiosity.

Should you book this underground Edinburgh gin tasting?

Book it if you want a short, well-structured activity that combines atmosphere, guided history, and a hands-on tasting where you control your serve. The pairing of gin evolution—from Jenever to London Dry—with tonic water’s medicinal origin gives the tasting a clear storyline, and the underground venue helps the hour feel special instead of routine.

Skip it if you prefer a simple tasting with no history thread, or if you need a child-friendly or pregnancy-friendly format. Also, if alcohol-heavy experiences aren’t your thing, remember this is still a gin tasting at its core.

If you’re on the fence, use the big signal: the experience has an excellent overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 (based on 84 bookings), with repeated praise for the venue atmosphere and the guide-led storytelling energy. For many people, that combo is exactly what they want in Edinburgh: something memorable, centrally located, and not too long.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the gin tasting?

You meet outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, just off the Royal Mile behind St Giles Cathedral on Parliament Square. From there, you’ll head underground.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts 1 hour.

What is included in the $36 price?

The tasting includes 4 different gins, an expert guide, tonics, garnish, and exclusive access to The Lost Close.

Will I be able to choose how I mix my gin?

Yes. You’ll sample four gins with tonics and garnishes, and the mixing is left up to you so you can create a serve that suits your taste.

What gin styles and history topics are covered?

The guide covers gin’s connection to Scotland and its transformation over time, including Jenever, Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry. You’ll also hear about the story of tonic water and its original medicinal use.

Is smoking allowed indoors?

No. Smoking indoors is not allowed.

Is this suitable for children or pregnant women?

No. It’s not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, or babies under 1 year.

Can I cancel for a refund or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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