90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh's Old Town

Taste whisky from Scotland's major regions in a hidden underground close.

A 90-minute whisky tasting class in Edinburgh's Old Town introduces you to Scotland's whisky regions and history through four tastings in an exclusive underground space recently uncovered beneath the city. A live guide leads the session in English, and you choose between introductory whiskies on weekdays or weekends, or step up to intermediate or high-end selections if you want rarer, more complex drams.

The Experience

The Lost Close is a newly uncovered underground area in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, and this is where the tasting happens. You'll spend 90 minutes with a guide who walks you through the history of Scottish whisky—how it became the nation's drink and why it matters—while you taste four whiskies, one from each of Scotland's major whisky-producing regions. The underground setting itself is part of the experience: you're tasting in a historical space that's been hidden for years, which gives the whole thing a sense of discovery that a regular bar or tasting room doesn't have.

The class is structured around three levels, so you pick the one that fits your whisky knowledge. Introduction Whisky is the entry point—four drams that give you a real sense of what each region produces and how they differ. If you've tasted whisky before and want something more unusual, Intermediate Whisky offers four more complex and rare selections. High End Whisky goes further still, with five top-shelf drams that are the kind you'd see in specialist shops but hesitate to buy yourself. Everyone in your group can choose a different level, so if one person is new to whisky and another is a serious enthusiast, you can both get what you want from the same session.

You'll need to be 18 or older to join. The weekday sessions (Monday to Thursday) run separately from the weekend ones (Friday to Sunday), so pick whichever fits your schedule. Public transportation is nearby if you're coming from elsewhere in Edinburgh, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Exclusive access to The Lost Close.
• experienced local guide leading the session in English.
• four whiskies, one from each of Scotland's major whisky-producing regions (or five for the High End level).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by The Lost Close - Events & Experiences

Is this one for you?Choose the weekday Introduction Whisky if you want a gentle introduction to Scottish regions and flavors; pick the weekend Introduction if that timing suits you better. If you've tasted whisky before and want to explore rarer, more complex selections, the Intermediate or High End levels let you go deeper without leaving the group behind.

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Top questions

What whiskies will I taste during the 90 minutes?

You'll taste four whiskies, one from each of Scotland's major whisky-producing regions—the selection depends on which level you choose. Introduction Whisky gives you four standard drams; Intermediate Whisky offers four rarer and more complex selections; High End Whisky includes five premium drams you'd typically find only in specialist shops.

Is this class suitable if I've never tasted whisky before?

Yes. The Introduction Whisky level is designed as an entry point, and the guide covers the history and process of whisky-making from the start, so no prior knowledge is needed. The guide will walk you through how to taste and what to look for in each dram.

Can I choose a different whisky level than the rest of my group?

Yes. The different levels all run at the same time in the same space, so each person in your group can pick the level that suits their experience—one person can do Introduction while another does High End, and you'll all be in the same session together.

What is The Lost Close?

The Lost Close is an underground area in Edinburgh's Old Town that was recently uncovered. It's a historical space beneath the city streets, and tasting whisky there gives the experience a sense of discovery beyond what you'd get in a regular venue.

What's included in the price?

The tasting includes exclusive access to The Lost Close, a live guide leading the session in English, and four whiskies (or five for the High End level), one from each of Scotland's major whisky regions.