Ireland is a well known country for making some of the best whiskeys in the world. Many distilleries offer tours, which include a walk through the process on how the whiskey is made and tastings. Here are some of the best to do in Ireland.
FIVE BEST WHISKEY TOURS IN IRELAND
SLANE WHISKEY DISTILLERY, COUNTY MEATH
Filled with modern equipment that honours the history of whiskey making, Slane distillery tour allows you to discover the craft and process that goes into every bottle of their whiskey.
The setting of this distillery is a place where you discover the nature of Irish whiskey, It is the grounds of Slane Castle surrounded by countryside with the rushing water of the Boyne Valley. An area which has become home to an emerging artisanal craft and food movement. It is also a unique destination for kayaking, fishing, camping, and hiking. You will find an area filled with history, from the prehistoric monuments at Newgrange to St. Patrick’s Hill of Slane.
The tours at Slane start from €12.00 and involve walking tours to cocktail making classes.
CLONAKILTY DISTILLERY, COUNTY CORK
In the middle of Clonakilty Town, the distillery opened its doors in 2008. The Distillery is overlooking the Atlantic coastline of Cork, not only supplying it with a fabulous view, but also proving to be a perfect setting to produce great whiskey. The pure clean air that is transported over the Atlantic provides a unique freshness to Clonakilty’s whiskey.
Experience the touch, sounds and smells of a real working distillery during your tour at Clonakilty. Your personal tour guide will explain in detail how Clonakilty make their whiskeys and gin. Included afterwards is a tasting of their finest releases.
The tours start from €18.00.
DINGLE DISTILLERY, COUNTY KERRY
The Dingle Whiskey Distillery came into being in the winter of 2012. Dingle Whiskey is a product of its environment. From the localised well water to the manual mashing. The wooden fermentation vessels that feed into the three bespoke copper pot stills, and the making of the whiskey is purely unique. The micro climate then creates a maturation that is different to the rest.
The Dingle Distillery welcomes visitors to enjoy a tour of their grounds where the entire production process, for all their products, is explained and a whiskey sample is provided.
Tours start from €15.00.
POWERSCOURT DISTILLERY, COUNTY WICKLOW
Formerly the main building for farming activity on the estate, the Old Mill House is being restored and extended to help accommodate the distillery’s development. Being one of the older buildings on the Estate, it boasts an ancient water mill deep in its foundations.
The building was uniquely shaped by skilled craftsmen, these copper stills are made in much the same way as they were in the 1800’s when the Mill House was in daily use.
The Powerscourt Distillery Tour and Whiskey Tasting Experience, will include a tour of the distillery and a tasting of samples of award-winning Fercullen Irish Whiskeys.
Tours start at €25.00.
Daily tours allow visitors to see how the distillery has adapted its whiskey-making traditions of the old days with the innovative spirit of today. The town of Kilbeggan is also very highly regarded as one of the friendliest places to visit in Ireland.
KILBEGGAN DISTILLERY, COUNTY WESTMEATH
Kilbeggan is a place full of history. Pictures and print can attempt to do it justice, but there is no substitute for visiting Kilbeggan and the Kilbeggan Distillery, and seeing first-hand how the town and distillery have evolved since 1757.
The tour will include a visit to the distillery and a tasting of three whiskeys from their portfolio on the viewing platform overlooking the River Brosna.
The tours start at €15.00.
