Gin Evolution: Discover Edinburgh's Hidden Gem

Discover the Evolution of Gin in an underground tasting experience in Edinburgh. Explore the history, flavors, and mixing techniques of gin in a unique and exclusive venue.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Lost Close - Gin! Embark on a subterranean journey of gin appreciation at this exclusive gin tasting event. Traverse the history of gin distillation, from its earliest inception to the contemporary Scottish gin scene.
    Nestled in our distinctive underground location, The Lost Close, you will have the opportunity to savor 4 distinct gins,…
What's Included
  • Exclusive Access to The Lost Close
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Alcoholic beverages
Additional Information

This isn’t your typical gin tasting - it’s a journey through Gin’s Evolution! During this experience, you’ll trace the path gin has taken from its early beginnings to the popular beverage it is today. Our trained guide will introduce you to the varied flavours, delve into gin’s rich history, and advise on the right mixers for the (4) gins you will try -…

Location
John's Coffee House & Tavern
Parliament Square
The meeting point is OUTSIDE of John's Coffee House & Tavern. Just off the Royal Mile, behind St Giles Cathedral on Parliament Square. We'll head underground from there.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(58 Ratings)
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Carol
Oct 27, 2025
Factual and tasty. - Very informative while still being enjoyable. Nikki did a great job of hosting the evening. She even moved rooms when I got claustrophobic in the smallest room.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirsten_b
Oct 4, 2025
Great stories and drinks! - This was such an interesting way to learn about Scottish history through gin. All of the samples we tasted were a part of the story, and our host was such a wonderful story teller and you can tell it’s a topic she enjoys and she was very intentional with her choices of gin she shared with us. The tasting rooms and space were also really cool and definitely added to the experience.
Review provided by Viator
Katrina_a
Oct 1, 2025
Review - Dan was very knowledgeable and it was an enjoyable journey through the history of gin with some really good examples
Review provided by Viator
Alchemicsoi
Sep 28, 2025
Excellent gin tasting experience - We had an excellent time on the gin tasting. Sara was very knowledgeable and personable, and the history of gin was interesting and well presented, the selection of gins perfectly illustrated the evolution of the drink. Would highly recommend if you're in Edinburgh. The bar upstairs also does lovely food and coffee/drinks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q8020pgkellyk
Sep 20, 2025
Great tasting - Great experience. Dan was a great guide and told the stories very well. We went as two friends and two other couples joined us for tasting. Very friendly setup
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philipchrist0pher
Sep 18, 2025
Must do - Since we did a whiskey tasting and beer brewery visit in glasgow, we went to this gin tasting in edinburgh. The host was super friendly and the background of the gin was very interesting. Didnt knew anything about the gin crisis. The gins we tried were good and the advice which tonic should be mixed with which gin was super helpful. The basement where the tasting was taking place could be a bit better, i found it somehow a bit lifeless and empty.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawn_b
Sep 5, 2025
Gun in Scotland - The history of Gin was great to guide was amazing. Could answer questions easy to talk to very social funny interactive.
Review provided by Viator
Jloughran818
Aug 24, 2025
Thank You Nicky!! - We did the Gin tasting. The venue is very cool and our guide Nicky was so kind and informative. I really had no idea about the history of Gin but it was a fascinating story on how it came to be. This was a fun thing to do while in Edinburgh!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dhunej
Aug 18, 2025
Great location, great host, great gins - Went along with group of friends, it was great to learn about the history of gin and the surrounding social history together. Dan was a knowledgeable and entertaining host who answered all of our questions and ensured that we all had a good laugh as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_h
Aug 17, 2025
Another Scottish spirit story - Focus is on the history and development of gin, rather than tasting several contemporary products. Helps give an appreciation of how this spirit came to be an important Scottish product. Setting is a vault underneath the old passageways near St. Giles - helps emphasize gins' less prestigious origins.
Review provided by Viator
From $35
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).