Gin and tea in one tidy 90 minutes. At Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin County, you get a hosted Afternoon Tea and Gin Tasting Masterclass that mixes tasting 4 signature gins with a proper afternoon tea spread, all wrapped into a focused 1.5 hours. I really like the fact that the gins are made onsite, so the story has a place to land. I also love the guided structure, including a walk-through of distillation history and a look at their wall of 120 botanicals. One thing to consider is that this is still fundamentally a gin experience, so if gin flavors are a hard no for you, you’ll want to flag non gin or non alcoholic preferences ahead of time.

If you want something a bit different from the usual pub crawl, this hits a sweet spot: craft spirits plus comfort-food tea, without stretching into an all-day event. You’ll taste a flight with a welcome drink, then settle into sandwiches and cakes, and the whole session ends with a Q&A with a liquid expert. The rain or shine part matters too, since you won’t be stuck guessing whether the plans will hold.

Key Highlights You Should Care About

• On-site gin production at Stillgarden Distillery: the tasting ties directly to what the distillery actually makes.
• A guided look at distillation history and 120 botanicals: you see the ingredient thinking behind modern Irish gin.
• A 4-gin tasting flight plus a welcome drink: you’re not just offered one sample, you get a real comparison set.
• Afternoon tea included with sandwiches and decadent cakes: food shows up as more than a snack.
• Fully hosted with a final Q&A: you get time to ask the practical questions that pop up while you taste.
• Non gin and non alcoholic options available: request them in advance so you can enjoy the full experience.

Stillgarden Distillery: Modern Irish Gin Made in Dublin County

Stillgarden Distillery is the kind of place that makes craft spirits feel approachable. Instead of treating gin like a mystery you either love or don’t, this masterclass frames it as a process and a set of choices. You’ll get the chance to understand where the flavors come from, then sample them in a structured way.

What I like most is the location in Dublin County, because it feels like a real working distillery visit, not a tea service with a token tasting. You’re also in a guided, English-language format with a live host. That matters, because gin tasting can get awkward if you’re left to figure out what to do on your own.

Also note the overall vibe: this is modern Irish gin, not stuffy or academic. You’re walked through the story, including distillation history and their wall of 120 botanicals, then you taste 4 signature gins. It’s built for curiosity without requiring you to know anything beforehand.

Your 90 Minutes, Step by Step: What You’ll Do

This masterclass runs about 1.5 hours, and it’s designed so you’re never waiting around too long. Sessions end with a Q&A, so the pacing isn’t only tasting and sipping, it’s also learning and asking.

Here’s the flow you can expect:

• First, you’ll arrive at Stillgarden Distillery for the hosted introduction.
• You’ll be shown the history of distillation and guided through the inspiration behind Stillgarden’s modern Irish gin range.
• You’ll then see their wall of 120 botanicals, which is where the flavor logic becomes visual.
• Next comes the 4 gin tasting flight with your included welcome drink.
• After the tastings, you move into afternoon tea, with sandwiches plus a selection of cakes.
• Finally, one of the liquid experts closes things out with a Q&A.

Why this structure works for most people is simple: you get the “why” before the “what.” The botanicals and distillation background give you a frame for what you’re tasting, and then the food arrives while your senses are still engaged.

The Wall of 120 Botanicals: Why It Changes How You Taste

You’ll get a guided tour through the ginspiration behind the range, including a stop at the wall of 120 botanicals. That might sound like a lot, but it’s exactly the kind of detail that makes a tasting flight more interesting. When you can see the ingredient universe, the differences between the gins start to feel less random.

I love experiences that teach you how to notice, not just what to drink. This one gives you a conceptual map: botanicals shape aroma and flavor, and distillation is how those ingredients become a spirit you can actually taste. You don’t need to be a gin expert to follow along, because the host is there to connect the dots as you sample.

Practical tip: during the botanical part, pay attention to what the liquid expert points out as key flavor directions. Then, when you start tasting the 4 signature gins, you’ll recognize the same themes again in the glass. That makes the tasting flight feel like a guided comparison instead of four random pours.

The 4-Gin Tasting Flight Plus Welcome Drink

Tickets include a welcome drink and a 4 gin tasting flight, both part of the hosted experience. The flight format is a big value boost. Instead of trying one gin and guessing whether you would like the rest, you get multiple profiles in a single sitting.

This is the part of the experience that many people will remember most, because it gives you choices and contrast. You can typically detect differences in aroma, mouthfeel, and finish as you move through the flight. Even if you think you already know your preferences, the flight can still surprise you.

A useful way to approach the tasting is to treat it like a comparison exercise:

• Start with aroma first, then taste.
• Note how the finish changes from gin to gin.
• Consider how the same botanical themes might show up differently depending on the recipe.

You’ll end the tasting portion and then transition to afternoon tea. That timing is smart. It keeps the palate engaged without letting the session become all alcohol and no food.

Afternoon Tea at a Distillery: Sandwiches, Cakes, and Real Comfort

After the tasting flight, you’ll have a luscious afternoon tea with a selection of cakes and sandwiches. This is where the experience becomes more than “drink and learn.” It turns into an actual food break, which matters because gin can be intense when you have it solo.

I like that the tea isn’t treated like an afterthought. The included spread gives you something savory to balance the spirit, and sweets to round out the flavors. If you enjoy tea culture, you’ll appreciate that it follows an afternoon-tea structure, not just finger-food.

Also, since the session is fully hosted, you’re not left juggling plates while trying to remember what you just learned about botanicals. The flow keeps you comfortable, and that makes it easier to focus on enjoying the pairing.

If you don’t usually order afternoon tea, this is still a good way in. You’re not committing to a fancy tea ritual for hours. You’re getting a packaged version of it, alongside a distillery experience built for learning and tasting.

Q&A With the Liquid Experts: Ask the Practical Questions

Sessions end with a Q&A from one of the liquid experts. This is a small detail that I think you should pay attention to, because it’s where the experience can become personal.

During a tasting, you’re likely to wonder things like:

• What botanical combinations drive the style you’re tasting?
• How do distillation choices influence the final flavor?
• Which gins match certain mixers or flavor profiles?

The Q&A is your chance to get answers that go beyond the generic tasting notes. It also helps you take home something useful, like what you might enjoy if you order something similar at a bar later. If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re drinking, this closing portion is where the session clicks.

Don’t be shy about asking a question, even if it feels basic. A good host will translate it into real-world terms, and that’s the point of making it a masterclass instead of a quick tasting.

Non Gin and Non Alcoholic Options: Plan Ahead for the Full Experience

Stillgarden says non gin and non alcoholic options are available, and it’s important that you let them know beforehand. That detail is crucial, because the experience includes a 4 gin tasting flight, so you’ll want the substitute plan sorted before you arrive.

If your group includes someone who doesn’t drink gin, this is one of those activities that can still work, as long as requests are made early. I’d treat this as a two-step process:

1. Confirm what non gin or non alcoholic options are available for your session.
2. Share any preferences clearly ahead of time so the experience stays smooth.

This is also relevant for anyone who drinks lightly. Even with non alcoholic options, the masterclass is still organized around the tasting and food pairing, so having an aligned plan prevents the session from feeling awkward or mismatched.

Price and Value: Is $74 Per Person Worth It?

At about $74 per person, this is not a budget stop. But the price makes more sense when you look at what’s included. You’re paying for a fully hosted distillery experience, not just a self-guided visit. The ticket includes:

• A welcome drink
• A 4 gin tasting flight
• Afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches
• A guided walkthrough that includes distillation history and a view of 120 botanicals
• A final Q&A with a liquid expert

In practical terms, you’re getting a structured evening of learning, tasting, and eating in about 90 minutes. If you were to compare the cost to buying individual drinks plus a proper afternoon tea elsewhere, the bundled format can feel like good value. It’s also a convenient way to do a distillery activity without turning it into a half-day commitment.

One more value point: the rain or shine setup. If weather ruins outdoor plans, this kind of hosted indoor experience keeps your schedule intact. That reliability is worth something when you’re traveling.

Finally, the overall rating is 4.2 based on 5 reviews, with the standout notes landing on excellent. That doesn’t give you the nitty-gritty of what people loved most, but it does suggest the format tends to land well.

Who Should Book This Masterclass, and Who Might Prefer Another Plan

This experience is a strong match if you want:

• A distillery visit that’s guided and easy to follow
• A structured tasting, not a random sampling session
• Afternoon tea with both savory and sweet components
• A calm, hosted activity that doesn’t feel like a nightlife event
• A chance to learn about botanicals and distillation history in plain language

It may be less ideal if:

• Gin is not your thing and you do not want to participate in the tasting format, even with non gin or non alcoholic alternatives
• You’re traveling with kids, since it’s not suitable for children under 18 years
• You want a longer, self-paced tour rather than a 90-minute set experience

Also remember it’s English-language. If your group needs another language, you’d have to check options in advance, since English is stated as the live tour guide language.

Should You Book Stillgarden’s Afternoon Tea and Gin Masterclass?

Yes, if you like the idea of pairing craft gin education with a real afternoon tea meal. The biggest reason I’d recommend it is the balance of components. You get distillation context, a visual look at 120 botanicals, a 4-gin tasting flight, then sandwiches and cakes, all while a liquid expert guides the experience and wraps with a Q&A.

I’d think twice only if you or your group strongly dislikes gin flavors and you haven’t arranged non gin or non alcoholic options ahead of time. Since the tasting flight is built into the core format, planning matters.

If you want a fun, adult-only, hosted activity in Dublin County that’s different from the usual pub routine, this one is an easy choice to put on your shortlist. It’s short enough to fit into a travel day, and structured enough that you’ll leave knowing more than you started.

FAQ

How long is the Stillgarden Afternoon Tea and Gin Masterclass?

The experience lasts about 1.5 hours, and the sessions end with a Q&A from a liquid expert.

What is included in the ticket price?

Tickets include a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with a selection of cakes and sandwiches.

Are non gin or non alcoholic options available?

Yes. Non gin and non alcoholic options are available, but you should let the provider know beforehand.

Is this activity suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years.

What language is the tour guide speaking?

The live tour guide provides the experience in English.

Is the experience indoors and does it run in bad weather?

The experience takes place rain or shine.

What is the price and where is it located?

It costs $74 per person and takes place at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin County, Ireland.