Visiting Your First Irish Whiskey Distillery? – Tips to Make Your Trip Unforgettable

A year or so ago, I looked at what you could, and should, do before visiting a whisky distillery in Scotland. For today’s blog, I thought I’d revisit old ground and look at a very similar topic, with a distinctly Irish twist to it.

As you probably know, despite my heart belonging to Scotch, I am an enormous fan of Irish whiskey. Whenever I get the chance to sample a drop from one of their many exceptional distilleries, or better yet, whenever I get the chance to actually visit the Emerald Isle, I jump at it.

Having visited Ireland and its now many whiskey distilleries, I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I have loved every single visit. Seriously, I’ve never had a bad experience yet, and I don’t expect I ever will (touch wood). Basically, what I’m trying to say is that, if you love whiskey, particularly Irish whiskey, you should stop what you’re doing, book your tickets, pack your bags, and enjoy one of the most unforgettable breaks you’re ever likely to experience.

If I’ve managed to persuade you to book an Irish whiskey distillery tour, here are a few tips to help make your trip unforgettable.

Make a Break of It

Just as I said previously, one of the best things you can do when visiting a whiskey distillery of any kind, is make a break of it.

Don’t just visit for the day and then head home, book an overnight stay, a long weekend, or even an entire week. That way, you can experience Irish whiskey in all its glory, as well as the gorgeous country of Ireland itself, along with the incredibly friendly locals.

Seriously, when it comes to partying and hospitality, nobody beats the Irish. If you prolong your stay, you’ll experience both firsthand.

Decide on Your Distilleries

My next tip is very simply about deciding which whiskey distilleries you’d like to visit during your stay. Ireland is home to a number of world-famous distilleries in all corners of the nation. When planning your trip, it’s down to you to decide which of these distilleries you’d most like to visit.

If you’re in Dublin for example, then the historic Jameson Bow Street Distillery will likely be in your crosshairs, despite not actually being a distillery anymore. For those who want to see the ins and outs of Irish whiskey production, Teeling Whiskey Distillery is a great shout.

Of course, you also have prominent distilleries such as County Antrim’s Old Bushmills Distillery, or the Midleton Distillery Experience in the stunning County Cork.

In truth, because Irish whiskey has enjoyed such a resurgence over the last few decades, there are now more distilleries to choose from than you could ever imagine. If you’ve a favourite Irish whiskey however, then my advice would be to start there, especially as the gift shop’ll be full of different drams, plus if you book a tour, you’ll likely get a few samples thrown in for good measure, and who wouldn’t want that?

Switch to Full-Blown Tourist Mode

While I’m not advising you to purchase an ‘I Love Ireland’ T-shirt, if you are visiting the Emerald Isle for a whiskey distillery tour, my advice would be to see some of the other attractions that Ireland has to offer too.

After stopping off at the Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, why not travel just three miles down the road to learn about the legend of Finn McCool and see one of the most spectacular tourist attractions on the planet, in the form of the ‘Giant’s Causeway’?

You’ve Kilmainham Goal in County Dublin, Titanic Belfast in County Antrim, County Cork’s Blarney Castle, and so much more besides. If you are in Dublin, and for some insane reason, you fancy a drink that isn’t Irish whiskey, the Guinness Storehouse is also well worth a visit. Even if you’re not especially fond of the black stuff, it’s still definitely worth checking out, especially as this delicious stout has, itself, become synonymous with Ireland over the years.

Check Out a Whiskey Shop or Two

As well as being home to more than 50 whiskey distilleries, you’ll also find a selection of fantastic whiskey shops scattered across the nation, offering a huge selection of whiskies from Ireland and other parts of the globe.

Not only do many of them offer a selection of unique whiskies, including limited-edition expressions and global travel retail exclusives, but some also provide tasting rooms, master classes, blending experiences, and even Irish whiskey museums!

Can’t decide which whiskey is right for you? No problem, the owners will be more than happy to provide plenty of samples, along with recommendations and heaps of interesting and useful knowledge in the process.

Ask Plenty of Questions

As I’ve touched upon previously, the Irish are incredibly friendly and incredibly hospitable, as you’ll quickly learn. Because of this, to really get the most from your distillery experience, it’s always worth asking plenty of questions.

Whether you’re wondering how old the distillery is, how the whiskey is made, what it pairs with, how it tastes, or anything else, if you’re not sure, just ask. Your tour guides will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, while also helping you to understand as much about Irish whiskey as you can.

The whole point in visiting a whiskey distillery is to not only see how the whiskey is produced, but to learn as much about its history and its production as you possibly can. The more questions you ask, the more answers you’ll get, and the more you’ll likely learn about your favourite tipples.

Book Different Experiences

Whilst a tour of a working distillery is always a fascinating and eye-opening experience, Irish whiskey goes way beyond casks and stills. For a truly unforgettable distillery visit, it’s definitely worth booking a few different whiskey experiences.

Our good friends at Teeling for example, offer a number of whiskey experiences, including tastings and whiskey crafting. The Midleton Distillery Experience offers a more hands-on look at whiskey production and allows visitors to get a look behind the scenes and learn more about the science behind whiskey production.

For the ultimate interactive whiskey experience however, the Jameson Distillery Bow Street will take some beating. Here you can enjoy a number of interactive experiences including exclusive premium whiskey tastings, and their critically acclaimed Jameson Black Barrel Blending Class.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for all you whisky lovers out there.

Photo Credit: Ireland

Tags: distilleriesIrishIrish Whiskey Distillerytips

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.