Dublin: Gin Masterclass with Welcome Drink & Tasting Flight

Stillgarden’s one-hour class takes you behind the bar and into the making of modern Irish gin. You’ll hear how the distillery uses botanicals, examine its wall of 120 plant ingredients, and taste four gins made onsite. The welcome drink sets the tone, while the closing Q&A gives you a chance to ask about the spirits, sustainability, and zero-food-waste work.

I like the mix of tasting and hands-on explanation, especially the chance to connect each pour with the botanicals and equipment used to make it. I also like the option to request non-gin or non-alcoholic drinks, which makes the session more useful for mixed groups. The main caution is value: at $45 per person, one hour can feel expensive if you mainly want a drink and only a light introduction to gin.

Key points to know

• Four Stillgarden gins: Taste a flight of signature spirits made at the Dublin distillery.
• A wall of 120 botanicals: The class uses this display to explain how ingredients shape gin.
• Welcome drink included: You receive a drink before the tasting flight, plus a mixer.
• Afternoon tea wording needs checking: The description refers to cakes and sandwiches, but the included items are not presented consistently.
• A final Q&A: Use the closing time to ask about production, sustainability, and Stillgarden’s zero-food-waste policy.
• A flexible group choice: Non-gin and non-alcoholic options can be arranged in advance.

Starting at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin

Stillgarden is both a working distillery and a place built around modern Irish spirits. The focus here is not simply on pouring gin. You are introduced to the thinking behind the bottles, the ingredients selected by the makers, and the tools used to turn botanicals into a finished drink.

The setting also has a community side. Stillgarden operates an onsite garden where many of its botanicals are grown. You can visit the garden after the class, and the distillery also runs a Social Botanist Project with Sunday gardening, foraging, and wildlife walks.

That gives this experience a little more substance than a standard bar tasting. You are not only sampling finished products. You are shown how ingredients connect to the place and to the distillery’s wider work. Still, keep your expectations in check. The scheduled class lasts 60 minutes, so this is an introduction rather than a long production tour.

Public sessions run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Private sessions are also available by contacting the provider. The supplied details do not give a group size, so you should check the booking page if the size of the class matters to you.

The welcome drink sets the pace

The experience begins with a welcome drink. This is a useful start because it gives you something to hold and taste before the formal explanation begins. One rating specifically found the welcome drink to be the strongest part of the experience, so do not assume all four tasting pours will suit your palate in the same way.

The welcome drink is also a chance to settle into the style of the class. Gin can be a sharp spirit for newcomers, especially when sampled without much food or dilution. The included mixer helps, but you may still want to take the tasting slowly.

If you are attending with someone who does not drink gin, ask for an alternative before booking or at the time of reservation. The experience allows non-gin and non-alcoholic choices, but the instructions say to let Stillgarden know beforehand. That small bit of planning matters, since the staff can prepare the right option rather than improvise on arrival.

Four signature gins and 120 botanicals

The central part of the class is a tasting flight of four Stillgarden gins. These are made onsite, so the session gives you a direct connection to the distillery’s own range rather than a general lesson built around unrelated brands.

You will learn about the botanicals and equipment used to create the spirits. The display of 120 botanicals is one of the more distinctive parts of the class. It gives the guide a practical way to explain how different plants, spices, fruits, or herbs can affect aroma and flavor.

I like this format because it encourages you to compare the four pours instead of judging one gin on its own. You can pay attention to the differences between them and ask why certain ingredients are used. The class is likely to be most useful if you are curious about how gin is made, not simply looking for four small drinks.

The guide also explains the history of distillation. The available information does not specify how far back the talk goes or how technical it becomes. Expect a broad introduction tied to the Stillgarden range, rather than a specialist lecture on industrial distilling.

A tasting flight can also expose the limits of a short class. One rating described the other gins as only okay and felt the explanation did not go far enough for the price. That is a fair warning for serious gin fans. The session offers a guided introduction, but the material may feel brief if you already know your way around botanicals, stills, and gin production.

The afternoon tea detail is worth confirming

The experience information uses two different descriptions of the food. One part says tickets include a welcome drink, a four-gin tasting flight, mixer, and afternoon tea. Another section describes afternoon tea as not included, then lists cakes and sandwiches as part of the experience.

That conflict is important because food changes the value calculation. At $45, the price feels more reasonable if you receive a proper afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. If the booking includes only drinks and a short class, the cost is harder to justify for anyone who is measuring value by the amount of food and drink provided.

I would confirm the food arrangement before paying. Ask specifically if the booking includes the selection of cakes and sandwiches, or if the afternoon tea wording refers to a separate option. Do not rely on the two descriptions being interchangeable.

If afternoon tea is included, it should make the session feel more like a social afternoon activity. It may also help balance the alcohol, which is useful when sampling four gins in one sitting. If it is not included, plan your expectations around a one-hour tasting class with drinks rather than a full tea service.

A closing Q&A with Stillgarden’s liquid experts

Each session ends with questions and answers from one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts. This is where you can move beyond the prepared talk and ask about whatever caught your attention.

Good subjects include the company’s ethos, its sustainability projects, and its zero-food-waste policy. You can also ask about the role of the 120 botanicals or the equipment used to make the gins. Since the guides are presented as specialists in Stillgarden’s modern Irish spirits, the Q&A may be the best moment to get detail that is not covered during the main tasting.

I recommend saving questions as you go. A short class moves quickly, and it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask by the end. If you are attending with a group, agree beforehand that everyone gets a chance to ask something.

The supplied information does not name individual guides, so you cannot request a particular person based on the details available. The session is conducted in English with a live guide.

Stay for another drink or try the garden

The class does not have to end when the formal hour is over. You are welcome to remain in the bar for further drinks, and there is even a game of corn-hole available.

This is a useful feature if you want a relaxed social outing rather than a strict in-and-out appointment. You can continue discussing the gins and order another drink after the tasting. Those additional drinks are not listed as part of the $45 price, so budget separately.

The community garden gives you another reason to linger. Stillgarden grows many of its botanicals onsite, and you can visit the garden after the class. If you like gardening or local food projects, ask about the Social Botanist Project. Sunday activities include gardening, foraging, and wildlife walks, followed by a complimentary drink at the distillery.

That project is not the same as the one-hour masterclass, and the details do not say that participation is included in your ticket. Think of it as an additional way to connect with Stillgarden if you have more time in Dublin or plan to return.

Is $45 a fair price for one hour?

The listed price is $45 per person. For that amount, you receive a welcome drink, four gin samples, a mixer, a guided explanation, and a final Q&A. The possible afternoon tea could add useful value, but the conflicting information means you should confirm it first.

The price works best for three types of people:

• You want an organized introduction to Irish gin.
• You enjoy tasting several spirits rather than ordering one full drink.
• You value a connection to production, botanicals, and sustainability.

The price works less well if you are already well versed in gin or mainly want a generous afternoon tea. One rating found the welcome drink more impressive than the other gins and felt the class was too lightly detailed for its cost. That does not make the experience a poor choice, but it does suggest that expectations are important.

I would compare this with the cost of four drinks and a guided activity in Dublin. If the welcome drink and afternoon tea are both included, $45 is easier to defend. If the food is not included and you are not especially interested in gin-making, you may find better value elsewhere.

Who should book this Stillgarden session?

This class suits adults who want a compact Dublin activity with a local spirits angle. It is especially handy for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday plan when you want something more structured than sitting at a bar.

It also works well for a mixed group. A non-gin drinker does not have to sit out, and non-alcoholic options can be arranged. Make the request before the session, since the provider asks you to give advance notice.

The class is not suitable for children under 18. Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed, and the listed restrictions also prohibit climbing and bare feet. The venue is wheelchair accessible, which is useful for visitors who need step-free access, though the supplied details do not describe the exact route or restroom facilities.

This is a rain-or-shine activity, so weather will not cancel the session. That makes it a dependable option for a wet Dublin day, provided you are happy spending an hour indoors.

Booking tips for getting better value

Check the starting time before you commit, since the class runs at set times and the available schedule can change. Public sessions take place Friday through Sunday, while private sessions require direct contact with the provider.

Confirm the afternoon tea question in writing. Ask if the ticket includes the advertised cakes and sandwiches, or if you are booking only the drinks and class. This is the single most important value check.

Tell Stillgarden in advance if you want a non-gin or non-alcoholic drink. The option is available, but the provider specifically requests notice.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible. Those terms are useful in Dublin, where weather and changing day plans can easily affect a short city activity.

Should you book the Stillgarden Gin Masterclass?

Book it if you want a short, guided introduction to Stillgarden’s own gins and like the idea of learning about botanicals grown in a community garden. The onsite production, 120-botanical display, welcome drink, and closing Q&A give the hour a clear shape.

Think twice if you expect a long technical distillery tour, a generous number of full drinks, or detailed instruction at professional tasting-school level. The price is fair only if the food details are settled and the subject genuinely interests you.

My practical call: confirm the afternoon tea, request any alternative drink in advance, and book this as a compact spirits experience rather than a full afternoon tour. For curious adults who enjoy Irish craft drinks, it is a sensible Dublin add-on. For anyone focused mainly on quantity or depth, the one-hour format may feel too short.

FAQ

Where does the gin masterclass take place?

It takes place at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin County, Ireland.

How long does the experience last?

The fully guided class lasts 60 minutes.

How many gins will I taste?

You will taste four signature Stillgarden gins made onsite.

Is a welcome drink included?

Yes. The ticket includes a welcome drink, followed by a four-gin tasting flight and mixer.

Is afternoon tea included?

The activity information is inconsistent. One section says afternoon tea is included, while another lists it as not included and describes cakes and sandwiches. Confirm this detail with Stillgarden before booking.

Can I choose a non-alcoholic drink?

Yes. Non-alcoholic options are available, but you should tell Stillgarden beforehand.

Can someone who does not drink gin attend?

Yes. Non-gin options are available if requested at the time of booking.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. The activity takes place rain or shine.