A good gin starts with one small moment. At Stillgarden, you kick off with a welcome drink, then move into a guided taste of their Modern Irish Spirits. I like that this isn’t just drinking for drinking’s sake: you get a look at the inspirations behind the gins, including a serious look at botanicals. One consideration: the core tasting time is only 60 minutes, so if you want extremely detailed, super-technical notes on every pour, plan to ask questions during the Q&A.

Two things I’d put at the top of the value list are the 4-gin tasting flight (so you can compare styles side-by-side) and the fact that your ticket includes more than just spirits. You also get afternoon tea, which makes the experience feel like a full stop on your day instead of a quick pre-drink. Still, check that you’re comfortable with a set format: it’s a guided class with a fixed lineup and timing, not a choose-your-own flight.

Key Things You’ll Remember About This Gin Masterclass

• Stillgarden Distillery focus: Modern Irish gin made on site at Stillgarden
• The botanicals wall (120 options): you’ll learn how inspiration becomes flavor
• Four signature gins in one flight: built for comparison, not random sampling
• Welcome drink first: a strong start that sets your palate up for the tasting
• Q&A with a liquid expert: time at the end for your questions
• After-class options: you can stay in the bar, and there’s also an on-site community garden

Stillgarden Distillery: A Dublin Gin Stop With Real Context

Stillgarden Distillery gives you more than a tasting room vibe. You’re walking into a place built around the way modern Irish gin is created and explained, with a strong emphasis on botanical ideas and how they turn into a finished spirit. Even if gin is new to you, the setting makes it easier to understand what you’re drinking instead of treating it like a blind test.

What I like is the way the experience is framed. You’re not handed a menu and told to pick favorites. Instead, the class builds a story: where the gin inspiration comes from, how distillation fits in, and what ingredients and equipment shape the final taste. That matters, because once you know what’s driving the flavor, your own tasting notes get way clearer.

The 60-Minute Guided Class: History, Botanicals, and a 120-Plant Wall

The masterclass is a fully guided session designed to run for 60 minutes. You’ll hear about the history of distillation, but the main push is modern: the “why” behind Stillgarden’s range and how botanicals become flavor decisions.

The highlight here is the wall of 120 botanicals. Even if you can’t name every plant, seeing the range helps you understand how gin can swing from bright and citrusy to herbal, spicy, or more grounded and warming. It also gives you a visual anchor while tasting. When you later notice a particular flavor direction in your glass, you’ll have a better sense of where that might be coming from.

Expect the guide to connect ideas to the practical side of gin-making too, including discussion of equipment and the broader distillation process. That’s the part that upgrades your tasting from simple sipping into something more like guided tasting literacy.

Your Flight of 4 Signature Gins: How to Taste Smarter

This is built around a 4-gin tasting flight, which is a sweet spot for most people. Four pours gives you variety without fatigue, and it’s enough to notice patterns—like which gins feel more herbal versus more aromatic, or which ones seem more citrus-forward.

Here’s how I’d get the most out of the flight:

• Start with aroma, not just sip. Take a moment to notice what you smell first, then how the flavor lands.
• Compare, don’t score. The point is to notice differences between the four signature gins you’re tasting.
• Use the Q&A. If you pick up on something you can’t place, ask during the end segment. That’s where the guide’s expertise can translate your observations into ingredient and method.

One practical note: the class is only an hour, so you’ll likely cover the “big picture” and a handful of key takeaways per gin. If you’re the type who wants ultra-specific technical breakdown for every botanical and still detail, you may find the pace a bit tight. The tradeoff is that you still leave with a guided understanding and a tasting flight you can actually remember.

Welcome Drink: The Start That Sets the Tone

The welcome drink is included, and it’s worth paying attention to. This is often where the experience shines, because it gives you a quick taste of the mood of the place before you start the structured flight.

I also think it’s a smart palate move. Beginning with a drink that fits the distillery’s style helps you get oriented. You’re not starting from zero when the first of the four signature gins hits your glass. If you’re the kind of person who likes to ease into tastings, this opening matters.

Afternoon Tea Included: A Nice Balance After Your Tasting

After the tasting portion, your ticket includes afternoon tea. That’s a big deal for value, because it turns the event into a longer, more complete stop. Instead of leaving straight after spirits, you get a break that lets your palate settle and reset.

The afternoon tea includes a selection of cakes and sandwiches. Even if you aren’t chasing food, having something to nibble on helps you enjoy the flavors more evenly—especially if you’re drinking multiple gins in a row.

I’ll be honest: the tea also changes how you experience the class. It encourages a slower rhythm. You’ll likely remember the flight more clearly because you’re not rushing straight into your next plan with a buzzy, empty feeling.

Non-Gin and Non-Alcoholic Options: Plan Ahead for Your Tasting Flight

If you don’t drink gin—or if you want something non-alcoholic—you still have options. The experience offers non gin and non alcoholic options, but the key is timing: you need to let the team know at the time of booking.

That matters because a tasting flight only works if everyone in the group has something suitable in their hands. If you’re going with a friend who doesn’t want alcohol, or you’re driving or taking it easy, this is one of those tickets that doesn’t force you into sitting out.

The Q&A With Stillgarden’s Liquid Experts

Every session ends with a Q&A led by one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts. This is where you can turn “I liked that” into “I understand why I liked it.” It’s also the best moment to ask about ingredients, botanical choices, or how the distillation process shapes flavor.

If you’re unsure what to ask, here are three simple prompts that usually land well with guides:

• Which botanicals are most important for each of the four signature gins?
• How should I think about the difference between aroma and flavor in gin?
• What would Stillgarden recommend if I liked one pour more than the others?

Since the main session is only 60 minutes, the Q&A is your best tool for customizing the experience to your tastes.

After the Class: Bar Time, Corn-Hole, and the Community Garden

When the guided part finishes, you’re welcome to stay. You can head to the bar for further drinks, and there’s even a game of corn-hole mentioned as a fun extra.

If you like experiences that keep going after the official timeline, this is a plus. It gives you a social space without turning it into a party for people who don’t want one.

You can also visit the on-site community garden, where we grow botanicals used for the distillery’s ideas. If you’re into plants, it’s a neat way to connect what you saw on the botanicals wall to something physical you can walk around and look at.

The Social Botanist Project is also mentioned, including meet-ups on Sundays for gardening, foraging, or wildlife walks. Those sound more like a community activity than a strict class add-on, so I’d treat them as something to catch if you happen to be there at the right time.

Price and Value: Is $45 Reasonable for Gin, Tea, and a Flight?

At $45 per person, this isn’t a bargain-basement tasting. You’re paying for a structured guided session, a welcome drink, a 4-gin flight, and afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches, plus a Q&A and time with the team.

The value really depends on what you want from gin tastings:

• If you want a guided experience with context and food included, the price can make sense. You’re not just buying a drink; you’re buying time, explanation, and a full stop meal.
• If you expect the class to be super deep on gin methodology for each pour, the hour format might feel a bit limited. The experience is designed to teach the big picture and help you taste thoughtfully, not to turn into a long technical seminar.

Also, one experience note to keep in mind: while the flight is part of the package, the welcome drink is the element that tends to be the most memorable. If that style of start appeals to you, you’ll probably feel good about the ticket. If you’re mainly hunting for a long, ultra-detailed gin walkthrough, you might wish you had more time with each sample.

Who This Gin Masterclass Is Best For

This works especially well for:

• First-timers who want a guided path into gin and botanicals
• People who enjoy tastings where the guide explains what you’re smelling and tasting
• Groups where someone might want non-alcoholic options (as long as you book it that way)
• Visitors who want a Dublin activity that’s not just a bar stop, and includes food

It may be less ideal if:

• You already know gin deeply and want a longer, more technical class
• You want total freedom to choose your own pours (this is a set flight of four signatures)
• You’re traveling with anyone under 18, since it isn’t suitable for children under 18

Practical Tips for Your Visit (So You Don’t Waste Time)

A few practical notes can help you enjoy the experience without friction:

• The class runs rain or shine, so don’t plan your timing around good weather.
• It’s listed as wheelchair accessible.
• The venue rules include no bare feet, and no baby strollers or baby carriages.
• The experience is in English.

Also, because it’s a Friday to Sunday type of schedule for public sessions (with private sessions possible by email), it’s smart to check your dates early so you can match your day and avoid getting stuck with only one timing option.

Should You Book This Gin Masterclass at Stillgarden?

I’d book this if you want a Dublin gin experience that feels grounded and complete: welcome drink + four-gin flight + afternoon tea, with a guided session and an end-of-class Q&A. The 120-botanicals wall is the kind of detail that makes tastings feel more meaningful, not random.

I’d think twice if you’re expecting a super long, highly technical breakdown of every sip. The class is 60 minutes, so the best way to make it work for you is to come with a curiosity mindset and plan to ask questions at the end.

Overall, it’s one of those tickets that’s easier to justify because it includes both drinks and food, and it’s designed for people who want to understand what they’re tasting, not just drink it.

FAQ

What’s included in the Dublin Gin Masterclass ticket?

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a 4-gin tasting flight (with a mixer), and a fully guided tasting class. Afternoon tea is also included, and each session ends with a Q&A.

How long is the experience?

The guided class is 60 minutes. Check availability for starting times.

Can I get non-alcoholic or non-gin options?

Yes. Non gin and non alcoholic options are available, but you need to let the team know at the time of booking.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18.

When does the experience run?

Public sessions run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Does it run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.