Gin, tea, and Irish botanicals in 90 minutes. This Stillgarden Distillery experience pairs a guided look at modern Irish gin making, including a 120-botanicals wall, with a tasting of a four-gin flight and a proper afternoon tea.

I also like that it ends with a Q&A, so you’re not left with questions swirling around your head like extra steam.

Only downside to flag: it’s over 18s only, so plan accordingly if your group has younger visitors.

You’ll start and finish at the same spot in Dublin 8, and the whole session runs about 90 minutes. It’s small-group friendly (max 22), and you get a mobile ticket for an easy check-in.

Key highlights worth circling

• 120-botanicals wall: see the ingredients behind modern Irish gin style
• Welcome drink plus 4 gin tastings: a real tasting flight, not just one sip
• Afternoon tea included: cakes and sandwiches to keep things balanced
• Small groups: up to 22 people, which helps the Q&A feel more direct
• Q&A with a liquid expert: you can ask why the gins taste the way they do

Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8: 90 minutes, small-group feel

This experience is built for a specific sweet spot in your Dublin day: you want something social, a little grown-up, and genuinely tied to a craft—not a quick photo stop and out the door. At Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, you’ll be in a group that’s capped at 22, so you’re unlikely to feel lost in the crowd.

The timing is also smart. At about 1 hour 30 minutes, you can fit it between sightseeing blocks without turning your afternoon into a long slog. And since it ends back at the meeting point, you don’t have to plan a tricky “how do I get back?” moment right after you’ve tasted four gins.

One practical plus: it’s offered in English, and it’s close to public transportation. So if you’re hopping around Dublin by bus or foot, this is easy to slot in.

If you’re planning a group outing, this is the kind of activity that tends to work well because everyone’s doing the same tasting and sharing the same table-time. And the drink-and-food pairing means you’re not pacing the whole thing on empty stomach energy.

The gin inspiration wall: history and 120 botanicals

The core story here is how modern Irish gins are built—starting with the history of distillation and then moving into what really drives flavor: botanicals. You’ll be shown a wall of 120 botanicals, which is a big visual that helps the tasting make sense. Instead of “here are four liquids,” you get the ingredient logic behind them.

What I like about this approach is that it gives you a framework. Gin tasting can feel random if nobody explains what you’re looking for. Here, the structure is: distillation history first, then botanicals and craft choices, then your samples. That sequence helps you taste with intention rather than just taste for fun.

You’ll also hear about the distillery’s modern Irish gin direction—what makes their range itself, not just gin in general. That’s especially useful if you’re the kind of person who thinks, I’ve had gin before, but what makes this one different?

One extra detail to appreciate: the experience wraps up with a Q&A, so the botanicals wall isn’t just a cool stop. You can ask follow-up questions like what specific ingredients typically show up in certain profiles, and why a gin might taste different from one to the next.

Your four-gin tasting flight: how to taste like a pro

Your tasting includes a welcome drink plus a 4 gin tasting flight. That means you’ll be guided through multiple signatures rather than doing the “one-and-done” version. For your palate, this matters. Four samples spaced through a guided format gives you a chance to notice patterns, like citrus versus spice, or something floral moving through the background.

The guides play a big role in how enjoyable gin tastings are. One guide named Glenn has been specifically praised for being informative and for keeping the experience lively. If you get a guide with that kind of energy, you’ll likely find the tasting feels less like homework and more like a story you can taste.

Here’s how to make the most of the flight without overthinking it:

• Take smaller sips at first, then pause. Let flavors settle instead of rushing to the finish.
• When you notice a flavor, try to name it plainly (citrus, juniper-forward, peppery, herbal). Don’t worry about being technical.
• Treat the tasting like a comparison, not a performance. You’re building your own flavor map.

You’ll also get a Q&A at the end, which is your chance to connect what you tasted to why it happened. If you’re worried you’ll forget everything after the fourth pour, don’t. Write down a couple impressions on your phone notes as you go.

Afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches that keep you going

After the tasting, you shift into afternoon tea: a selection of decadent cakes and sandwiches. This is a key part of why the experience works well for value. You’re not paying for drinks only. You’re paying for a whole food-and-tasting structure, so the session feels balanced instead of mostly about alcohol.

I like that the tea comes after the gin, because it helps you reset your palate. If you’ve done tastings before, you know how quickly everything can blur together. Food gives your taste buds a reason to recalibrate.

From what’s been highlighted, there’s also a sense of plenty—meaning you don’t just get a token bite. That matters in Dublin, where a decent sit-down snack can cost more than you expect.

The tea setup also adds social comfort. Conversations are easier once you’re eating something, and you’re not standing around holding tiny cups the whole time. If you’re with friends, it’s a natural moment to compare notes like: Which gin felt drier? Which one leaned more herbal?

One practical tip: go with a normal appetite. If you arrive starving, you’ll enjoy the tea even more. If you’re already full, at least you’ll feel steadier during the tasting and won’t burn through your energy too fast.

Q&A with a liquid expert and how to get answers fast

The session ends with a Q&A from one of the liquid experts. This is one of those features that sounds small until you’re in it and realize how often people leave tastings with unanswered questions.

To get the most out of the Q&A, think of two or three things you actually want to know. For example:

• Which botanical shifts the profile the most in the gins you tasted?
• What makes a modern Irish gin different in approach from more traditional styles?
• If you liked one gin most, what ingredient direction would you expect from similar options?

You don’t need to be a spirit nerd to ask good questions. You just need to connect your own taste experience to the craft explanation you heard earlier. If your guide is the type who tells the story with energy, like Glenn is noted for doing, the Q&A tends to feel like part of the fun, not a formality.

Also, because the group size is capped at 22, there’s a better chance your question gets heard. If you’re the shy type, you can still listen for patterns—answers often teach you how to taste next time without forcing you to speak.

Price and value for Dublin: what you really get for $85.78

At $85.78 per person, you’re paying for a full packaged experience: a welcome drink, a four-gin flight, and afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches, plus the distillery walkthrough and the final Q&A. In Dublin, that combination is where the value is.

If you were to price pieces separately—one tasting flight somewhere else, then a sit-down tea with food—you’d likely end up paying more or getting less. Here, the experience is structured so the tastings and the food support each other, and you’re in a guided format rather than figuring everything out on your own.

The duration helps the value feel right too. At 90 minutes, you get enough time to taste and ask questions, without losing your whole afternoon. This also makes it a strong option if you’re doing multiple stops in the city and need predictable timing.

One thing to consider: it’s over 18s only, so it’s not a universal choice for mixed-age travel. But for adult couples, friends, and group outings, it’s exactly the kind of activity that pairs well with a Dublin day.

Should you book this gin and afternoon tea experience?

I’d book it if you want a guided Dublin gin tasting that includes real food, not just a drink ticket. It’s especially worth it when you like learning alongside tasting—because the 120-botanicals wall, the distillation context, and the Q&A help you understand what you’re drinking.

You might skip it if you already feel overwhelmed by tastings, or if your schedule can’t handle an 18+ alcohol-led experience. Also, if you’re traveling with teens, this one won’t fit.

If you want an adult-friendly, small-group activity in Dublin 8 that feels both social and crafted, Stillgarden’s gin and afternoon tea is a solid pick.

FAQ

FAQ

What’s included in the gin tasting and afternoon tea?

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches.

How long does the experience last?

The session runs for about 90 minutes.

Where does the experience take place?

It takes place at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, and you meet at the provided plus code location.

Do I return to the same meeting point?

Yes, the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many gins will I taste?

You’ll taste 4 signature gins as part of the tasting flight.

Is the experience for adults only?

Yes. It is over 18s only.

What language is the experience offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 22 travelers.

Is a mobile ticket provided?

Yes. The experience includes a mobile ticket.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.