Gin and whiskey, made in rural Ireland. At The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney near Drumshanbo in Leitrim, you get a guided look at the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years, tied directly to the Drumshanbo spirits you taste.

I especially like the expert-led single pot Irish whiskey tasting, with time to ask questions and connect the flavors to how the spirit is made. I also really enjoy the ending at the Honey Badger bar in the botanical glasshouse, where you finish with a refreshing Gin and Tonic that actually fits the building and the botanicals.

One possible drawback: this is very drink-focused. If you’d rather not taste alcohol, plan for that, since both tastings are built into the 2-hour experience.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Connacht’s first distillery in 101+ years gives the visit extra weight and pride.
• Expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey is the main event.
• Honey Badger bar finale includes Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic.
• Botanical glasshouse setting helps you understand the plant flavors in a hands-on way.
• Small group size (max 26) makes it easier to chat and learn without feeling rushed.

Entering The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, why this place feels special

This tour works because it doesn’t treat spirits like museum objects. It treats them like something made by hands, choices, and ingredients. You’re walking into The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo, in Co. Leitrim, and you’re doing it with a guide who keeps the story practical and flavor-based.

The big headline is simple: this is the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years. That matters because it sets the tone. You’re not just sampling a drink, you’re visiting a real production hub that’s meant to put Connacht back on the map for whiskey and gin.

You’ll also notice the setting is part of the experience. The tasting doesn’t end in some plain room. It moves you to the Honey Badger bar in a botanical glasshouse, which makes the botanical flavor talk feel less theoretical. Instead of only hearing about botanicals, you’re standing in a space that supports that theme.

Meeting at The Food Hub in Drumshanbo, and what your timing should feel like

Your meeting point is at The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland. The tour starts there and ends back at the same meeting point. That round-trip setup is a small thing, but it’s a comfort. You don’t have to figure out a second transfer or hunt for where everyone reconverges.

Plan for about 2 hours total. That includes the guided walk-through plus the tasting parts. Because the group is capped at 26, it typically feels more like a small class than a factory line.

Also, this experience is offered in English. If you want clear explanations and easy back-and-forth during the tasting, that’s a big plus. Service animals are allowed too, which is always good to see in listings.

Stop 1: The Shed Distillery tour, how the spirits connect to real ingredients

The first part of your experience is a guided journey into the distillery, focused on the spirit house view of rural Ireland and how the operation turns ingredients into something you can taste.

The tour centers on Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, but the tasting moment is specifically the Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey. You’ll learn alongside your guide, who introduces the basics of distillation and how flavors are built. The best part is that the information aims to help you taste better, not just memorize facts.

What you’re looking for during this stage is a connection between process and flavor. If you’ve ever had whiskey tasting notes that felt like random adjectives, this kind of guided tasting is different. You get prompted to notice how one pot style can show up in the glass, and how the distilling and infusing approach affects what you perceive.

One more practical note: the tour includes a guided tasting with an ambassador. That matters because you can ask questions when the group is still together, before everyone is already moving on to the next room.

Whiskey tasting: making the most of your guided Drumshanbo Single Pot moment

The whiskey tasting is the core payoff of the first half. You’ll get an expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey, guided by an ambassador. The price value is mostly here because tastings are included, and you’re not left wondering what to do with your glass.

Here’s how I’d maximize your time with the tasting portion, based on how these tours tend to run and what you’ll want from a small group:

• Take your first sip slower than you think you should. Your first reaction tells you what you notice most, and your second pass helps you separate sweetness, warmth, and any grain character.
• Ask one question that connects process to taste. For example, you can ask how the single pot style influences the flavor profile. A good guide will turn that into a quick, useful explanation.
• Use the group energy. If someone asks something interesting, you’ll often learn from the answer too.

The reviews highlight that the learning lands because the tastings are real. You’re not just walking by equipment, you’re getting a guided tasting experience tied directly to what you’re seeing.

If you’re sensitive to alcohol, keep your pace careful. The tour is only about 2 hours, but it still includes whiskey plus a gin and tonic at the end, so you want to go in knowing it’s not a zero-alcohol experience.

The botanical glasshouse and Honey Badger bar finale, your gin and tonic moment

After the distillery tour and the whiskey tasting, the experience finishes at the Honey Badger bar in the botanical glasshouse. This is where the tour becomes more than informative and turns into enjoyable.

You’ll get a refreshing Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic. This is a smart ending. Gin is where botanicals and infusion ideas are easiest to understand, because your brain can link aroma and taste to specific plant notes. You’re also in a space designed around botanicals, so it feels like the tour is closing the loop.

The Gunpowder gin branding also points you toward a flavor expectation. You’ll taste the gin, then feel the tonic bring it all into sharper focus. The guided part usually helps you understand why that pairing works, and what kinds of botanical flavors you’re likely to notice.

If you like a lively finish, this is also a good point to slow down and actually taste, not just take a sip for the checkmark. This is the moment where the tour becomes easy to remember, because the drink is front and center.

What the small group size changes (and why it makes the tour better value)

This experience has a maximum of 26 travelers. In distillery tours, that number matters. With a group that size, you can usually hear the guide without straining, and you’re less likely to get swallowed by the crowd.

That’s part of why the tour tends to be well regarded. You can ask questions during the tasting, and you can also chat briefly with others without it turning into a loud free-for-all. The social side matters, because learning sticks better when you can compare notes and share what you’re tasting.

It also helps with pacing. A 2-hour experience stays smooth when the group moves together and the guide can manage attention. You get the full arc, distillery first, whiskey tasting second, then the gin and tonic finale.

Price and value: is $25.34 per person a fair deal?

At $25.34 per person for about 2 hours, this is priced in a way that feels accessible for many visitors. But the value isn’t only the ticket price. It’s what you get for it.

You’re not paying just for entry. Admission is included, and the experience includes:

• A fully guided distillery visit
• An expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey
• A finishing drink, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar
• A setting that connects the botanical theme to the drinks you taste

So you’re paying for guided time plus included tastings. That’s the difference between a basic stop and a true experience. If your main goal is to sample whiskey and gin with explanations, the cost makes sense. If your main goal is a scenic walk only, you might feel the focus is too much on drinking and tasting.

My practical take: it’s a good value if you’re open to trying both whiskey and gin. It’s less of a value if you avoid alcohol tastings entirely.

Who should book this tour, and who might not love it

This is a great fit if you want an honest, guided introduction to Drumshanbo spirits without needing to be a hardcore whiskey person. You’ll come away understanding how distillation and botanical flavor ideas connect to what you taste.

It also suits you if you enjoy small-group atmospheres and don’t want to feel rushed. The max 26 travelers limit helps keep things human.

You might skip it if you’re not interested in tastings. The tour is designed around whiskey tasting and an included gin and tonic. Even if you don’t drink heavily, the experience is built around the drinking portions.

It can also work for lots of visitors because most travelers can participate, and it’s offered in English. If you travel with a service animal, service animals are allowed.

A quick booking call: should you book this tour?

If you want a straightforward, guided way to taste Drumshanbo whiskey and gin, this is an easy yes. The two drink inclusions are the real reason to book, and they’re tied to expert guidance rather than just free samples.

Book it if:

• You like tastings that explain what you’re drinking.
• You’re happy to spend about 2 hours in one focused experience.
• You want the botanical glasshouse finish and a gin and tonic that feels like part of the tour, not an afterthought.

Hold off if:

• You do not want to take part in alcohol tastings.
• You’re looking for a long, equipment-heavy tour with no emphasis on drinking.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the guided tour at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney?

It’s approximately 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $25.34 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What tastings and drinks are included?

The tour includes an expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey, and it ends with a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar.

Does the tour admission ticket come included?

Yes, admission is included.

What is the group size limit?

The maximum group size is 26 travelers.

Do I get confirmation after booking?

Yes, confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.