Edinburgh Underground Gin Tasting: Exploring the Evolution of Gin
4.8
15 Ratings
Edinburgh
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: 1 day learn more
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, tailored to your preference, while our knowledgeable guides share fascinating narratives.

Originally Scotland’s inaugural purpose-built bank, this space transformed into a jail, and then vanished from memory for decades. It has been rediscovered only recently, establishing it as Edinburgh’s newest unearthed underground site! It’s a truly unique setting. Your guide will greet you above ground and escort you down to commence the experience!

What's Included
  • Sampling of four distinct gins representing historical flavor evolutions
  • Selection of carbonated drinks
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 - you’re in control of the blending to suit your taste either bold or subtle!

Hosted in the unique site of The Lost Close, an Edinburgh sector hidden under an old prison until its discovery in 2018, this is an exclusive location only we can offer, adding a special touch to this city-based experience!

Location
CoDE Pod – THE CoURT
Parliament Square
Behind the Mercat Cross, next to St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile, you will see a statue of James Braidwood, the firefighter, and behind him you will see a floral archway, that is the entrance to the Code Pod Hostel, where we will meet you in reception!
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(15 Ratings)
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Disco_cat1216
May 8, 2024
Fun Tasting in a Unique Space - This isn’t exactly a review for the underground gin tasting; the gin guy was sick, so we went with the whisky group. It was in the same place and given by the same company. That said, it was great! Our host, James, was knowledgeable and really entertaining. The underground vault where the tasting was held was unique and pleasantly strange. I didn’t know much about whisky going in, but I feel like I learned a lot and had a great time doing it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jamescq2933gm
Apr 8, 2024
Educational and fun experience in a unique location! - This is a really great experience for a group of people looking to enjoy a combo of gin tasting and educational experience of both Edinburgh and gin! James was a really engaging and knowledgeable host who added to the fun experience of being in such a unique setting. As someone who wasn't a huge fan of gin prior to the experience, it really taught me a lot and made me appreciate how enjoyable it can be! Would recommend this to anyone as it's in a great location near other popular sights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apoorva_g
Apr 3, 2024
Excellent Gin tasting tour - This was such a fun experience on my first day in Edinburgh! I booked this tasting impromptu and it did not disappoint! Sarah was fun, engaging and really knew her gin! Thank you for a fun experience 😊
Review provided by Viator
E7954agpeters
Feb 14, 2024
Evolution of gin - Had a great time, very informative and great fun in a really unusual venue. We were introduced to drinks that we’ve never tried before. Host was good fun and very knowledgeable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgefo8573fg
Feb 12, 2024
If you like Gin & History, go here!! - having previously gone to several gin distilleries for tasting experiences, we did this one as its a bit different. James, our host was brilliant and not only did we find out about the the four gins they had selected, we also got a fabulous insight into the history of the building. not just about how gin was made, well once you have been to one distillery the story is the same, but at this one its not limited to one companys products and is a much better experience around the history of gin as well as Edinburghs old town. We will be back and try some other gins. If you like gin and history, you MUST go here. FIVE STARS !!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulde8490jv
Jan 20, 2024
Great experience - Really interesting history of Gin. Sarah clearly knew what she was talking about and was very friendly which made it a very enjoyable experience. Highly recommended going on this experience. We will be trying the whisky experience in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Morgan_k
Jan 5, 2024
The true history Gin - The tour guide had a great knowledge of the history of the building and the creation of Gin. You got to see good historical areas and understand a full range of Gin options. The Gins chosen really gave you a complete understanding of different profiles and how it has changed over time. We were able to try Gins from all area we would otherwise not be able to try.
Review provided by Viator
Debra_h
Sep 26, 2023
So much fun! - Sara, our host, was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and extremely personable. It was a great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Rósa
Feb 4, 2024
Gin, underground, history, unexpected flavours - Great experience underground where we learned all about the history of gin making in Scotland. Our host, James, was quite fun and knew all about the origin of gin distillery. Unique taste of different gin, a taste you wouldn't expect.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cmdrcutie
May 6, 2024
Interesting venue space, but the tastings were a bit disappointing - Visited solo. There was a small group of 7, which was nice. The tour guide (Abbey?) was nice and very knowledgeable about the history of gin and made the talk interesting and fun. The underground space was historic, but not conducive to tasting gin as it was low light (to add to the ambience) yet you could not see the color of the tastings without using your cell phone light. We tasted four gins, none of which tasted good without adding tonic water or ginger ale. I had expected to taste some really delicious gin. While the gins that were selected had historic value, they clearly didn’t make you want to buy any gin in the gift shop. What I was hoping for was an opportunity taste gin you might actually want to purchase. The meeting space for the pick up of the tour is actually inside the same check-in space as the hostel so it was a bit confusing and staff seem to be a little overworked. I did purchase an Edinburgh raspberry gin & lime tonic while I was waiting for the tour and sadly, that was actually the best gin I had on this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 10 guests
1
Adult
June 2024
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