Gin Tasting and Afternoon Tea Delight in Dublin Ireland

Stillgarden Distillery makes gin tasting feel less like a formal lecture and more like a lively visit with a good story at its center. You learn how distillation works, examine a wall of 120 botanicals, and taste four modern Irish gins before moving on to afternoon tea.

I like the generous mix of drink and food, and I like that each session ends with a question-and-answer period. The only catch is the firm 18-and-over rule, plus a 90-minute schedule that leaves little room for a slow, lingering tea.

Key points

• Four signature Irish gins: Taste a flight of four house gins, plus a welcome drink.
• A wall of 120 botanicals: The botanical display gives the tasting a useful visual focus.
• Afternoon tea included: Cakes and sandwiches make this more substantial than a quick spirits sampling.
• Glenn’s lively hosting: Glenn has led an informative, energetic session covering the company, production, and craft spirits.
• Small maximum group: The experience accepts no more than 22 people.
• Dublin 8 setting: You meet and finish at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, with public transport nearby.

Four Irish gins and a proper afternoon tea

The clever part of this Dublin experience is its two-part design. First comes the spirits lesson and tasting. Then comes afternoon tea, with a selection of cakes and sandwiches. That gives you both the educational side of a distillery visit and the relaxed pleasure of sitting down with food.

You begin with a welcome drink, followed by the four-gin tasting flight. The tasting is not presented as a single drink repeated four times. Each gin is part of the story of Stillgarden’s modern Irish approach, so you can compare the different flavors and styles as you go.

I like this format because food changes the pace. A straight tasting can be over quickly, while tea gives you time to settle in and talk through what you have just tasted. The food also matters practically. Four gin samples and a welcome drink are enough to make eating beforehand sensible, but the sandwiches and cakes give the session real substance.

The menu is described simply as afternoon tea with decadent cakes and sandwiches. Specific fillings, cake flavors, and dietary choices are not provided, so you should ask about food requirements when booking if that matters to you.

Starting with distillation and the 120 botanicals

The first educational section covers the history of distillation and the way gin is built from botanicals. The most memorable visual feature is the wall of 120 botanicals. That number helps explain why gin can range from bright and citrusy to herbal, spicy, floral, or earthy.

You will not just hear the word botanical used in a vague way. The display gives the idea a physical shape. As the liquid expert explains the process, you can connect the ingredients to the character of the finished spirit.

This is a good fit if you enjoy knowing what is in your glass. It also works for someone who is curious about craft spirits but does not consider themselves a gin expert. The session is designed to explain the subject without requiring previous knowledge.

The amount of detail may depend on who leads your session. Glenn has been singled out for clear explanations of the company, its production methods, and its focus on craft spirits. His style has been described as lively as well as informative, which is useful in a tasting where too much technical language could flatten the fun.

Tasting four modern Irish gins

The heart of the experience is the four-gin flight. You taste Stillgarden’s signature gins one after another, giving you a chance to compare them rather than judging a single pour in isolation.

A flight is useful because your own preferences become clearer as you go. You may find that one style appeals to you more than another, or notice how different botanicals change the balance of a gin. The session is not simply about drinking. It is about paying attention to aroma, flavor, and the choices behind each bottle.

The supplied details do not identify the four gin names or list their tasting notes. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking because you want to sample a particular bottle. The experience promises four signature gins, but not a fixed menu of named pours.

You also receive a welcome drink before the flight. Since the session lasts about 90 minutes and includes food, it is best treated as a tasting experience rather than a quick pre-dinner stop. You should plan your other activities around it instead of squeezing it between two tightly timed sightseeing stops.

Afternoon tea after the spirits lesson

The afternoon tea follows the gin tasting and includes sandwiches and cakes. This creates a welcome shift from standing or listening to sitting and eating. It also makes the experience feel suitable for a social afternoon with friends, not just a technical visit for spirits fans.

The word luscious is used to describe the tea, but the practical details are more important: you get both savory and sweet items, and the food is included in the ticket price. That helps explain the cost better than comparing it with the price of a simple gin flight.

Do not expect a full restaurant meal unless the portions are clarified directly with the provider. The menu only promises a selection of sandwiches and cakes. If you have a large appetite, you may still want to plan another meal later.

The tea also gives you a chance to compare notes with the people at your table. This can be especially enjoyable for a group, and the format suits birthdays, a relaxed afternoon out, or a rainy Dublin day when you want an indoor activity with a bit of character.

A 90-minute visit with a clear ending

The advertised duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to cover the distillery’s story, the botanical display, the four-gin flight, and afternoon tea without turning the visit into an all-day commitment.

The schedule has a clear finish: every session ends with a question-and-answer period led by one of the liquid experts. I like this detail because it gives you a chance to ask about the gins, the production process, or the ingredients after hearing the main presentation.

It also means you should save questions as you go. If you want to know why one gin tastes different from another, or how a particular botanical affects the spirit, the final Q&A is the natural moment to ask.

The time limit is also the main drawback. If you prefer very slow tastings, long conversations, or a leisurely afternoon tea, 90 minutes may feel brisk. The experience is carefully packed, not open-ended.

Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8

The meeting point is at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, and the activity ends at the same place. Public transport is nearby, which makes this easier to add to a Dublin day without needing a car.

The location information is supplied with a plus-code style map reference, so check the exact meeting-point instructions before leaving. The important practical point is that you should go to the distillery itself rather than expect a central-city walking tour or transport from another location.

Because the visit starts and ends at the distillery, you can plan the rest of your day around Dublin 8. The experience does not include transportation, hotel pickup, or a second drop-off point.

A mobile ticket is included, and confirmation arrives when you book. Keep the ticket accessible on your phone. The group limit is 22 people, which is small enough to keep the presentation manageable but large enough that this is not a private tasting.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this for an adult who wants more than a drink at a bar but less than a long technical spirits course. The mix of explanation, tasting, and food gives you several ways to enjoy the visit.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Gin fans who want to compare four Irish-made styles
• Couples looking for an indoor Dublin activity
• Friends planning a social afternoon
• Visitors interested in craft distilling
• People who enjoy food pairings and afternoon tea
• Anyone who likes asking questions rather than following a silent tasting

It is less suitable for anyone under 18, since the experience is adults only. It may also disappoint you if you are looking for a full distillery production tour with detailed access to every stage of manufacturing. The information provided centers on distillation, botanicals, tasting, and discussion, not a long walk through the entire facility.

The group size may also affect the mood. With up to 22 participants, the session is more personal than a large coach excursion, but it is not an intimate one-on-one lesson. If you want a private event, you should ask the provider about separate arrangements.

Is $85.78 a fair price?

At $85.78 per person, this is not a bargain-priced tasting. The value depends on how much use you make of the full package.

You are paying for a welcome drink, four gin samples, an explanation of distillation and botanicals, afternoon tea, and a closing Q&A. Compared with buying four drinks separately and adding afternoon tea elsewhere, the price is easier to justify. You also get a hosted experience rather than just a tray of samples.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A basic gin tasting might suit you better if you only want to sample the spirit. Here, the food and teaching are a major part of what you are buying.

I would consider the ticket worthwhile for a special afternoon or a planned group outing. I would think twice if you are watching your budget closely, do not care about afternoon tea, or already know Stillgarden’s gins well.

Booking ahead and cancellation details

This experience is booked an average of 53 days in advance, so popular dates may fill well before your Dublin visit. If your schedule is fixed, reserving early is sensible.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Dublin time, so check the clock carefully if you are changing plans from another time zone.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. If you have food allergies or other needs, contact Stillgarden Distillery before booking because the available information does not specify dietary substitutions.

My verdict on Stillgarden’s gin and tea pairing

Book this experience if you want a sociable Dublin afternoon built around four Irish gins, useful distilling context, and food that keeps the tasting from feeling slight. The botanical wall and final Q&A add substance, while the tea gives the visit a relaxed finish.

Skip it if you want a long production tour, a private tasting, or a clearly listed menu of named gins. For everyone else, the $85.78 price is reasonable when you value the full package rather than judging it as a drink-only stop. The 90-minute format is compact, friendly, and best enjoyed without another appointment immediately afterward.

FAQ

Where does the gin tasting take place?

The experience takes place at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, Ireland.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How many gins are included?

The ticket includes a tasting flight of four signature Stillgarden gins.

Is a welcome drink included?

Yes. The ticket includes a welcome drink before the four-gin tasting flight.

Is afternoon tea included in the ticket?

Yes. Afternoon tea with a selection of cakes and sandwiches is included.

Is there a question-and-answer session?

Yes. Each session ends with a Q&A led by one of the distillery’s liquid experts.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No. The experience is for people aged 18 and over only.

How large can the group be?

The activity has a maximum group size of 22 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.