Top 5 Experiences to Enjoy Distilleries in Ireland

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Distilleries in Ireland are seeing a renaissance.

Ireland is currently seeing a huge growth in their Whiskey market, with new brands and distilleries popping up all over the place.

And if you really want to get to know Irish Whiskey better, then we definitely recommend you jump on the next plane there. Unless of course you’re there already, in which case stay put. And while you’re there, check out these 5 unmissable experiences of distilleries in Ireland!

1. JAMESON DISTILLERY AT MIDLETON

The Jameson Distillery Experience at Midleton is one of the best distillery experiences around. They are perhaps the best known of distilleries in Ireland. There are several tour options, including different “Experiences” that allow you to do things like mix cocktails or sample a dram straight from the cask. Regardless of what you choose, this is an exciting chance to discover more about Ireland’s most successful Whiskey. The history of Jameson is fascinating and a tour of their Midleton site captures this perfectly.

2. bushmills DISTILLERY

Bushmills is the oldest licensed distillery in the world, so you couldn’t possibly come to Ireland and not take a tour. The tour is informative and educational about one of the oldest brands in the world.

You will learn all about the process of distilling as well as what makes Bushmills unique. It is based on the beautiful north coast. You will soon understand why someone once decided it was a good place for a distillery. It also gives you the chance to see some of the incredible sites Northern Ireland has to offer after you’ve learned all you can about Bushmills.

3. teeling DISTILLERY

Teeling is a brand of Irish Whiskey that is relatively new to the market. However, they have a long family history in the distilleries in Ireland. It has a new distillery based in Dublin, making it the first new distillery in the city in 125 years.

There are three tours on offer at the distillery and each one has something different to offer. These tours give you the chance to explore the brand through taste, as well as discovering more about their history along the way. The atmosphere in Teeling is fantastic, with a simple modernity that allows the brand to find itself while also knowing its roots. If you want to learn more about Teeling and Irish Whiskey in general, this is definitely the tour for you.

4. Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery

Tullamore D.E.W. Distilery has a similar story to Teeling, in that it is a new brand with a long history. It is based in its hometown and namesake Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Here it has an amazing, new visitor centre, which is based in the Old Bonded Warehouse.

Tullamore allows you to get up close and personal with its history. You are invited to learn about the brand and how it is developing a new name for itself in the Irish Whiskey market. This is as well as all about how Whiskey is crafted. There is a great anecdotal quality to this tor, and it is packed with quirky stories and people to really brighten it up.

5. Kilbeggan Distillery

Kilbeggan Distillery in Westmeath is a wonderful little distillery that will give you a taste of traditional distilling. It is packed full of Irish nostalgia, with a water wheel and steam engine to really bring you back in time.

Kilbeggan Distillery truly captures the spirit of the Irish and you will forget that there is another world beyond its walls. There are several tour options available. Each with different things to see and do. Even the standard tour will immerse you in life in Kilbeggan. This is a tour that will educate and entertain, and will definitely have you buying a bottle before you leave.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!

Tags: Bushmills DistilleryirelandJameson DistilleryKilbeggan DistilleryTeeling Distillerytop 5 distilleryTullamore D.E.W. Distillery

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.