Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting in Underground Vaults, 5 Drams
Five Whiskies You'd Never Buy Yourself, Underground in Old Town
You'll descend into Edinburgh's Lost Close, an underground vault beneath the Old Town, and taste five rare whiskies from Scotland's major distillery regions while a local guide explains the craft, the history, and the characters behind each one. The 90-minute tasting includes all five drams and exclusive access to a newly uncovered space most visitors never see.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Luxury whisky tasting in Edinburgh
- Arrive at underground venue
- Listen to whisky history and stories
- Sample 5 rare whiskies
- Explore underground area
What’s included
Your 90 minutes include an experienced local guide, exclusive access to the Lost Close underground vault, and five drams of rare and old whiskies from Scotland's different whisky-producing regions. The guide leads you through the whisky-making process, the industry's history, and the stories behind each distillery as you taste.
- Every day 14:00 16:00 17:30 20:00
Information
Five rare Scottish whiskies in Edinburgh's underground vaults with a local guide. 90 minutes exploring the Lost Close and distillery stories from Scotland's regions.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
Most whisky tastings happen in a shop or a bar, bright, ordinary, forgettable. This one starts 30 feet below Edinburgh's Old Town streets, in a newly uncovered underground vault called the Lost Close, where the air tastes like stone and time. You're standing in a space that's been sealed for centuries, and your guide is pouring the first dram before you've even adjusted to the darkness.
The five whiskies come from different regions across Scotland: Speyside, Islay, the Highlands, the Lowlands, and wherever else the distilleries have earned a reputation. These aren't the bottles you'd grab off a shelf. They're the ones you'd look at, read the price, and put back. Your guide walks you through how each one was made, where the water comes from, what the peat does, why one distillery's output tastes nothing like its neighbor's. And then you taste it. The stories matter (the wacky characters, the industry's history, the intriguing bits that made Scottish whisky what it is), but the whisky itself is the point.
The whole thing takes 90 minutes. You're not rushed, but you're not sitting around either. The group stays small enough that your guide can actually talk to you, not at you. By the end, you've tried five whiskies you wouldn't have found otherwise, in a room that feels like a secret, with someone who knows the industry well enough to answer the questions you didn't know you had.
Top questions
What kind of whiskies will I taste?
Five rare and old whiskies, one from each of Scotland's major whisky-producing regions: Speyside, Islay, the Highlands, the Lowlands, and others. The exact bottles vary, but they're always top-shelf selections you wouldn't typically buy for yourself.
How long does the tasting last?
90 minutes total, including the guide's stories about the whisky-making process, Scottish distillery history, and the regions you're tasting from.
What is the Lost Close?
A newly uncovered underground vault beneath Edinburgh's Old Town, sealed for centuries. It's the exclusive venue for this tasting and not accessible to the general public.
Is there food included?
No, the tasting includes only the five drams of whisky. You may want to eat before or after.
Do I need whisky experience to join?
No. The guide explains the tasting process and the whisky-making craft as you go, so beginners and experienced drinkers both get something from it.
Can I bring children?
Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, but the tasting itself involves alcohol and is designed for adults.
Is the venue accessible?
The venue is underground and reached by stairs. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers.
How do I get there?
The Lost Close is located in Edinburgh's Old Town. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the venue can provide directions when you book.
Operated by The Lost Close - Events & Experiences. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting in Underground Vaults, 5 Drams
1h 30m · EN
from £ 95 per person
≈ US$ 128 in your currency
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