A gin lesson below Edinburgh streets. In The Lost Close, you taste four very different gins while a storyteller connects the spirit’s path to Scottish history and the rise of tonic.

One big win for me is the chance to compare styles side by side, with gins framed as part of an evolution rather than a single taste test.

I especially liked the hands-on mixing, because you choose how you build your serve with the tonics and garnishes provided. I also appreciate the energy people report from guides such as Sara or Sarah, who keep the pace lively and the explanations clear.

The only real consideration: this is an alcohol-focused activity, so if you’re avoiding gin for health reasons or you’re traveling with people who can’t take part (including anyone under 18), this won’t be a fit.

Key highlights before you go

• Underground setting at The Lost Close: atmospheric, tucked away just off the Royal Mile
• Four gins in one session: you’ll cover styles from Jenever and Old Tom to Navy Strength and London Dry
• You control the mixer: pick the tonic and garnishes and make the serve you like
• Tonic water gets real context: it starts as medicinal, then becomes gin’s everyday partner
• Story-led, not lecture-led: guides like Sara/Sarah (and others noted in recent groups) bring jokes and history together

The Lost Close turns a tasting into a proper Edinburgh scene

This is not a generic bar with a flight menu. You meet near St Giles Cathedral and then head underground into The Lost Close, where the setting does a lot of the work for the experience. The whole point is that gin gets told as a story you can feel in the space you’re in, not just something you read about later.

What I like about this format is how it changes your mindset. When you’re underground, tasting feels slower and more intentional. You’re more likely to pay attention to how botanicals and sweetness shift from glass to glass.

Exactly what you taste: four gins, tonics, and garnishes you can customize

You’ll sample 4 different gins, each with its own flavor personality, and you’ll do it with guidance on mixers. You also get tonics and garnishes, with suggested pairings for flavor profiles and ideal combinations.

The key detail for your evening: mixing is left up to you. Want something bold and strong? Build that way. Prefer it lighter and more refreshing? You can go there too. That freedom matters because gin can be polarizing—some people love juniper punch, others want softer herbal notes—and this experience lets you tailor the outcome.

Also, the gins are not grouped as random brands. Your guide walks you through the evolution of gin across centuries, so each tasting feels like a step in the timeline rather than a repeat performance.

The gin evolution you actually remember: Jenever to London Dry

This is where the experience becomes more than a drink. Your guide leads you through how gin changed over time and how it tied into Scottish history. The story explicitly tracks gin’s transformation from Jenever and Old Tom through Navy Strength and finally to London Dry.

Even if you already know the basic facts, you’ll likely pick up a cleaner mental map of how style names relate to real changes in strength, flavor, and balance. That’s a big deal for future tastings, because once you understand the style language, you stop treating every gin as the same flavor category.

Tonic water starts as medicine, then becomes gin’s partner

You’ll also hear how tonic water began with a medicinal purpose and later became the perfect companion for gin. That history matters because it explains why tonic tastes the way it does—its bitterness is not random, and it was shaped by function long before it became tradition.

During the tasting, that context helps you make better choices about mixers. Instead of simply adding tonic because it’s the default, you can think in terms of balance: what happens when bitterness meets botanicals, and what happens when you want to lift citrusy notes or soften stronger, more assertive gins.

The feel of the 1-hour run: meeting point, pacing, and what happens underground

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, so the start matters. Arrive a few minutes early so you’re ready to go when the group forms.

The session is 1 hour, which is long enough to taste four gins and hear the main story beats, but short enough that you should treat it like a focused evening activity. Expect your guide to move you through the evolution of gin and the reasons behind tonic and garnish choices, while you taste and mix at each step.

What makes the pacing work is that the story and the sipping are connected. You’re not doing history trivia while waiting for drinks. You’re tasting, then getting the context to understand why this style or mixer makes sense.

Price and value: is $36 worth it in Edinburgh?

At $36 per person, you’re paying for more than a drink. You’re getting four curated gin tastings, plus tonics, garnishes, and guided storytelling inside an exclusive underground space.

Compared with the usual Edinburgh option of paying for a couple drinks at a normal venue, this feels like better value because it packages several elements together:

• Four separate tastings instead of one or two
• Guidance on flavor profiles and mixer pairings
• A unique venue experience at The Lost Close, not just a standard bar flight

In other words, the cost isn’t just for alcohol—it’s for instruction, atmosphere, and the convenience of having everything set up for you. And with the reported strong satisfaction (a very high average rating from recent bookings), you can reasonably expect the night to feel intentional rather than rushed.

Who should book this gin tasting (and who shouldn’t)

This is a great fit if you like stories with your drinks and you want a guided way to understand what you’re tasting. You’ll enjoy it even more if you like experimenting with tonic ratios and garnishes, because your choices affect the final glass.

You should also consider this a good group activity. Recent experiences describe groups of about six having a good dynamic in the underground space, and the format works well for conversation without turning into a loud free-for-all.

On the other hand, it’s not suitable for pregnant women, children under 18, and babies under 1. It also has a clear indoor rule: no smoking indoors.

Practical tips so you get the most from the tasting

A couple small moves can make this smoother:

• Go in ready to compare. Try to notice bitterness, sweetness, and herbal notes across the four styles.
• Taste, then adjust. Since you control mixing, change just one thing at a time (more tonic, different garnish) so you learn what actually shifts the flavor.
• Ask questions during the story sections. The best nights happen when you keep the pace interactive, not just passive listening.

And if you’re the type who cares about what to order after, this session gives you the style vocabulary to choose confidently next time.

Should you book? My take

If you want a straightforward pub crawl, skip this. But if you want an Edinburgh night that blends gin tasting with a clear evolution story—then takes place in a genuinely atmospheric underground setting—this is a strong choice.

I’d book it if you’re curious about gin styles like Jenever, Old Tom, Navy Strength, and London Dry, and if you enjoy building your own serve with tonics and garnishes. It’s short, focused, and designed for people who like their travel experiences to have a point beyond photos.

FAQ

How long is the gin tasting at The Lost Close?

It lasts 1 hour.

How many gins will I taste?

You’ll sample four different gins.

What’s included in the $36 price?

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

What should I do about transportation?

Transportation is not included.

Where do I meet the guide?

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

Is the tour in English?

Yes. The live tour guide provides English.

Is it okay to bring children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18, and it’s not suitable for babies under 1 year.

Is the experience suitable during pregnancy?

No. It’s not suitable for pregnant women.

Are there any indoor rules?

Smoking indoors is not allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes. You can reserve now & pay later.