Housed in an old-school building just yards from Edinburgh Castle, this appropriately named subterranean eatery is hidden away in the depths of the Scotch Whisky Experience. Naturally the ‘water of life’ features on the menu (salmon gravlax with Arran mustard, aged malt whisky, soda bread and lemon, say), but most of the food on offer in this understated, wooden-floored dining room is traditional fare such as pressed wild mountain hare terrine with piccalilli or guinea fowl breast with skirlie, spinach and glazed carrots. Whisky may be the main deal, but there’s also a creditable list of wines for those who prefer grape to grain. Aficionados who want to explore further should head for the remarkable Whisky Bar next door, with it prodigious line-up of more than 350 different brands.