Gin Tasting and Afternoon Tea Delight in Dublin Ireland

Gin and cake make a fine Dublin pairing. At Stillgarden Distillery, you get a welcome drink, four signature Irish gins, a look at 120 botanicals, and afternoon tea in a 90-minute session. I like the mix of spirits and sweets, plus the small maximum group of 22, which should keep the presentation personal. I also like that the session ends with a Q&A, giving you time to ask about the distillery and its methods.

The main drawback is the tight running time. Ninety minutes must cover distillation, the botanical display, five drinks in total if you count the welcome pour, the gin flight, tea, and questions. If you want a long distillery tour or a slow meal, this may feel brisk. It is also strictly for guests aged 18 and over.

Key points at a glance

• Four signature gins: Taste a flight of four modern Irish gins, with a welcome drink included.
• A wall of 120 botanicals: See the range of ingredients used to shape the distillery’s spirits.
• Afternoon tea included: Cakes and sandwiches turn the tasting into a light meal, not just a drinks stop.
• Glenn’s lively guiding style: Glenn has been praised for explaining the company’s story, processes, and craft spirits with energy.
• Small group size: Sessions are capped at 22 people, a useful limit for a tasting with questions.
• Dublin 8 setting: The activity begins and ends at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, with public transport nearby.

What the 90-minute Stillgarden session includes

This is a compact tasting experience built around three parts: an introduction to distillation, a gin tasting, and afternoon tea. You do not simply sit down with a glass and a plate of cakes. The session aims to show how gin gets its character before giving you time to taste the finished product.

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a flight of four signature gins, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. The full session lasts about 90 minutes, and each gathering finishes with a question-and-answer period led by one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts.

That structure gives the outing a clear rhythm. You start with context, move into tasting, then settle into food and discussion. It is a good format for a first introduction to gin, especially if you want more than a quick drink at a bar.

The group limit is 22 people. That is not a private tasting, but it is still a manageable number for a guided session. A smaller group also matters at the Q&A stage, since questions can be easier to hear and the guide has a better chance of addressing the room rather than rushing through a script.

Beginning with distillation and 120 botanicals

The opening section focuses on the history of distillation and Stillgarden’s wall of 120 botanicals. This is the most useful part for anyone who has wondered why two gins can taste so different even when they share a familiar base.

Botanicals are the ingredients that give gin its character. A large display helps make that idea visible. Instead of hearing a list of ingredients and forgetting it before the first sip, you can connect the talk to a physical collection of choices. The experience is about the thinking behind the drink, not only the alcohol in your glass.

The 120-botanical wall is also a strong feature for curious drinkers. You may find that it changes how you approach the tasting. Rather than asking only if you like a gin, you can start thinking about what gives it its flavor and aroma.

The exact length of this opening talk is not specified, so you should expect a concise introduction rather than a full technical class. The 90-minute schedule needs to leave time for drinking and food. If your main interest is the mechanics of distillation, this session may offer a starting point rather than every detail.

Tasting four modern Irish gins

The central tasting is a flight of four signature Stillgarden gins. Four samples give you enough variety to compare styles without turning the session into a blur of glasses and descriptions.

I like this number for a short tasting. One gin can tell you whether you enjoy that particular bottle. Four can show you a wider range of the distillery’s work and help you notice differences from one sample to the next. The experience promises expertly crafted gins, but the real value comes from tasting them together, in the same setting, with guidance.

You also receive a welcome drink before the flight. That makes the inclusion feel generous for a 90-minute activity, though you should pace yourself. The experience is for adults only, and the ticket includes several alcoholic pours in a fairly short period.

The available information does not specify the exact gin names, serving style, alcohol percentages, or whether mixers are provided. Do not book this expecting a detailed cocktail class. This is a guided tasting of four Stillgarden gins, paired with tea and food.

One particularly positive detail comes from the description of Glenn’s presentation. His style has been praised as lively and informative, with clear explanations of the company’s history, processes, and interest in craft spirits. A good guide matters here. Gin tasting can become a string of polite sips if nobody explains what you are noticing. An engaging guide gives the flight some shape.

Afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes

After the gin tasting, the experience includes a luscious afternoon tea. The stated menu is a selection of sandwiches and decadent cakes, so you get both savory and sweet food rather than a plate devoted only to desserts.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose the session over a standard distillery tour. You are not paying only for samples and a talk. The food turns it into a social occasion, and it gives you something substantial to enjoy alongside the drinks.

The menu information is broad rather than itemized. You are not given the exact sandwich fillings, cake selection, portion count, or information about dietary requirements. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the provider before booking. The available details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other special options.

The food also helps balance the pace. Four gins and a welcome drink in 90 minutes can feel quick, particularly for someone who rarely drinks spirits. Having sandwiches and cakes included makes the session more comfortable, but it does not turn it into a full-length meal. I would treat it as a generous afternoon tea tasting rather than a replacement for dinner.

A five-star comment specifically praised the variety of gins and the amount of food served with the tea. That is useful guidance: the appeal is not a token snack beside a tasting flight. The combination should work well for friends who want an easy shared activity, especially in a group.

The final Q&A with a liquid expert

Every session ends with a Q&A from one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts. This gives the experience a useful finish. You can ask about the gins, the botanical choices, the distillery’s processes, or the points that were not fully covered during the introduction.

The Q&A is also a reason to pay attention during the earlier sections. Once you have seen the botanical wall and tasted the four gins, your questions are likely to be more specific. You may notice a flavor you want explained or want to understand why one gin seems different from another.

The format does not guarantee a private conversation, and the group can reach 22 people. If many people have questions, your time with the expert may be limited. Still, an ending built around questions is better than being sent straight to the exit after the last sample.

This part may be especially useful if you are considering Irish gin as a gift or want to learn enough to choose bottles with more confidence. You leave with a better framework for tasting, not just a memory of four drinks.

Why the Dublin 8 location matters

The meeting point is in Dublin 8, and public transportation is nearby. The activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate end location or collect luggage elsewhere.

The address is supplied in map-code form, so check the exact meeting instructions before setting out. Because the experience begins and ends at the distillery, you can plan the rest of your day around one fixed point. That is handy if you are visiting Dublin and want to combine the tasting with other plans.

The information does not provide a walking time from central Dublin, a specific bus or tram route, or parking details. I would allow time to find the distillery and avoid arriving at the last minute. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is sent when you book.

The setting is described as being in a great area, and the activity is near public transport. That makes it more practical than an outing far outside the city, particularly if you do not have a car.

Is $85.78 a fair price?

At $85.78 per person, this is not a cheap tasting. The value depends on how much you want from the afternoon.

You are paying for a welcome drink, four gin samples, a guided explanation of distillation and botanicals, afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes, and a closing Q&A. You also get a capped group size of 22, which is more appealing than an enormous walk-in tasting where the guide cannot engage with the room.

The price makes better sense if you want an event, not just alcohol. A basic gin tasting might cost less, but it may not include a meal or a guide who explains the production story. Here, the afternoon tea gives the outing a second purpose and makes it suitable for a birthday, a get-together, or a rainy Dublin afternoon.

On the other hand, the value is weaker for someone who only wants to sample Stillgarden’s bottles. You may find a simpler tasting or a drink at a bar more suitable if food and the educational part do not matter to you.

The 90-minute length is also worth weighing. At more than $85, you should be comfortable with a focused, fairly short program. The price is easiest to justify when you appreciate the full package: talk, tasting, food, and questions.

Who should book this experience?

I would suggest it to adults who enjoy gin but do not want a highly technical spirits course. The four-gin flight gives you variety, while the botanical display and distillation talk add useful background without requiring previous knowledge.

It should also suit people looking for a social activity. The combination of drinks, tea, and cakes gives you plenty to discuss, and the group size is limited to 22. One direct comment described it as fun for a group, which fits the format well.

This could be a good choice for:

• Gin fans who want to compare four Irish examples
• Couples looking for an afternoon activity
• Friends who prefer a tasting with food
• Visitors interested in craft spirits and distillation
• Adults planning a small celebration
• Anyone who enjoys asking questions during a guided session

I would be more cautious about recommending it to people who dislike gin, avoid alcohol, or want a long, detailed production tour. It is also not suitable for anyone under 18, since the experience is adults only.

Practical details before you book

The ticket is mobile, and booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The activity is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following a guided presentation and Q&A in English.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No detailed accessibility information is provided, so contact Stillgarden directly if you need specific arrangements.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted.

The experience is booked, on average, 53 days ahead. That does not mean every date sells out, but it is a useful sign that you should reserve early if you have a fixed Dublin schedule.

My final take on Stillgarden’s gin and tea

Book this if you want a polished social tasting with real food and a clear Irish spirits focus. The four-gin flight and afternoon tea give you more variety than a standard sample session, while the 120-botanical display and final Q&A add substance.

Skip it if you want a long distillery visit, a cocktail lesson, or a low-cost drink. At $85.78, the experience needs to be judged as a complete afternoon event. For the right audience, especially a small group of gin fans, it offers a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes in Dublin 8.

FAQ

Where does the gin tasting take place?

It takes place at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, Ireland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $85.78 per person.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes a welcome drink, a tasting flight of four signature gins, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes.

How many gins will I taste?

You will taste four signature Stillgarden gins, in addition to the included welcome drink.

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. Afternoon tea is included, with a selection of sandwiches and decadent cakes.

Is the experience available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is this activity for people under 18?

No. The experience is for people aged 18 and over only.

How many people can join a session?

The maximum group size is 22 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.