Gin, tea, and botany in one hour. At Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin, this gin tasting masterclass uses a guided walk through distillation and a wall of 120 botanicals to show you how modern Irish gins get their flavor.

I like that you actually taste four signature gins in a structured flight, not just a quick sip-and-skip. I also appreciate that the ticket includes afternoon tea, so you get something to balance the booze. One thing to consider is that the whole guided experience is only 60 minutes, so if you want an ultra-technical, super-deep lecture on gin, you may feel slightly rushed.

Key things to know before you go

• Wall of 120 botanicals: you get ingredient context, not just a blind tasting.
• 4-gin tasting flight: the session is built around comparing flavors and styles.
• Included welcome drink: you start relaxed, then move into the tasting.
• Afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches: a built-in balance after the tasting.
• End with a Q&A: you can ask about Stillgarden’s ethos and how they handle sustainability and zero food waste.
• Non-gin and non-alcoholic options: available if you arrange it when booking.

Stillgarden’s 1-hour gin masterclass in Dublin

This is a compact, adult-only tasting session at Stillgarden Distillery, designed to make gin make sense fast. You are not stuck waiting around for a long tour. You get a guided framework, then you taste your way through four signature gins, with time at the end to ask questions.

I like the pacing. It is enough structure to help you notice differences between gins, but short enough that you can still plan the rest of your afternoon in Dublin. It is also rain or shine, which matters in Ireland because your day should not depend on the weather.

The setting itself is part of the value. Stillgarden is presenting modern Irish spirits with an emphasis on botanicals, so the tasting does not feel random. You learn what they are using and why, then you put that knowledge into practice with your flight.

The big trade-off is the time limit. The fully guided class is 60 minutes, and that includes the tasting and the guided learning. If your goal is an all-day gin education, this may feel like a quick starter course.

Distillation basics, plus the wall of 120 botanicals

Your session starts with a guided look at how gin inspiration becomes liquid. You will move through a mix of history and process, including the history of distillation and how botanicals drive flavor.

The centerpiece is the wall of 120 botanicals. This is the kind of detail that helps you stop guessing. Instead of thinking of gin as one taste, you can connect aromas and flavor profiles to specific plant ingredients. Even if you are not a gin super nerd, you will have an easier time describing what you like after you see how many botanicals can go into the bigger picture.

You also learn what equipment and ingredients are used to create their modern Irish gins. You are not getting a factory tour that runs on forever. You are getting the conceptual map, so when you taste, you know what to pay attention to.

Practical tip for your tasting: go in with at least one question you care about. For example, do you want something more herbal, more citrus, more floral, or more spice-driven? When you ask your Q&A questions later, that helps the liquid expert tailor the discussion.

Your welcome drink, then the 4-gin tasting flight

Tickets include a welcome drink, which sets the tone right away. Then you move into the tasting flight of four signature gins. Along the way, you also get a mixer included with the ticket.

The flight format matters. Four gins in one session is enough to compare styles without making the experience feel endless. You can start to notice patterns like how botanicals shift the nose, how the finish changes from gin to gin, and whether a gin tastes more balanced or more forward in a particular flavor family.

Do not treat all four pours as separate events. Treat them like a single tasting puzzle. Between sips, take a moment to reset your palate, even if you are not told to. Your brain is better at noticing differences when you give it a second.

One consideration comes from the reality that this is a timed masterclass. Some people end up feeling that the welcome drink was the highlight, while one or two pours felt only okay. That is not a reason to skip, but it is a reminder to focus on the process. The value is in learning how botanicals map to flavor, not in expecting every pour to be your new favorite.

If you are booking for a group, make sure everyone knows the session is for adults only. It is not suitable for children under 18.

Afternoon tea is part of the point, not an add-on

After the guided tasting portion, you get afternoon tea. The tea includes a selection of cakes and sandwiches. This is a practical inclusion because it changes the feel of the experience.

Gin tastings can make you feel a little lightheaded if you are not careful. Afternoon tea gives you carbs, variety, and a pause in the action. It also helps you slow down after the flight, so you can reflect on what you liked and what you would skip next time.

You should approach it as part of the schedule. Do not plan to rush off immediately after your flight ends. Give yourself time to eat. It is also the easiest way to keep the evening from getting messy later, especially if you plan to keep exploring Dublin after.

If you are coming straight from sightseeing, this is one of the better setups in town. Many food and drink experiences are either pure tasting or pure tea. Here you get both in one ticket.

Q&A with Stillgarden liquid experts, plus what to ask

The class wraps with a Q&A from one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts. This is where your experience can go from pleasant to personal.

You can ask about Stillgarden’s company ethos and their sustainability projects. They also mention a zero food waste policy, and this is exactly the sort of topic that turns a tasting into a story about values. If you care about responsible production, this is your chance to move past the glass and talk about the bigger picture.

Since the session is only 60 minutes, your best move is to ask specific questions. Here are a few ideas that match what they teach:

• Which botanicals are most influential in each of the four gins?
• How do they think about flavor balance in modern Irish gin styles?
• What does zero food waste look like in their workflow?

If you have a non-gin or non-alcoholic option, bring questions about how the alternatives are handled. The session is designed to support non gin and non alcoholic options if you arrange it at booking, so it should not feel like you are being left out.

Going beyond the class, bar time and corn-hole

After the class, you are welcome to stay in the bar for further drinks. You can even play corn-hole. This matters because it gives you flexibility. If your group is in good spirits after the flight, you can extend the experience without needing a whole new plan.

I like this approach for two reasons. First, it keeps the atmosphere casual, not stiff. Second, it lets you choose your energy level. You can finish with the masterclass and tea, or you can linger for a bit more sampling.

Just remember that the guided portion is 60 minutes. The bar time is optional, so do not assume extra entertainment is part of the masterclass itself. Still, the corn-hole detail is a fun one if you are traveling with friends who enjoy light games.

Garden time and the Social Botanist project on Sundays

There is also an on-site community garden where Stillgarden grows many of the botanicals used in their work. If you like plants, this is a satisfying bonus because you can connect what you saw in the botanical wall to living sources in real soil.

The Social Botanist Project is mentioned as something you can sign up for. They meet up on Sundays for gardening, foraging, or wildlife walks. After that, the group heads back to the distillery and relaxes with a complimentary drink.

Important note: the garden and Social Botanist activities are presented as options, not part of the core 60-minute masterclass ticket. Still, it is a great add-on if your schedule lines up with a Sunday.

If you are a hands-on person, this is the best way to make the whole gin experience feel grounded and not purely indoor.

Price and value: $45 for a guided flight plus afternoon tea

At $45 per person, you are paying for more than four tastes. You are getting a guided experience at Stillgarden Distillery, including a welcome drink, a four-gin tasting flight with mixer, and afternoon tea. The class is fully guided and lasts 60 minutes, and it ends with a Q&A.

So the question is value: what are you really buying? You are buying context plus comparison. The botanicals wall and the distillation background help you understand what you are tasting. The afternoon tea keeps you comfortable and makes the session feel like a full Dublin experience, not just a drink ticket.

That said, the timing is tight. If you are paying for deeper technical detail, you may want to set expectations. A few people have felt that the welcome drink was the standout and that the rest of the tasting did not justify the price for what they expected. To protect your experience, treat this as a curated intro to Stillgarden’s style, with enough education to guide your palate, not a long classroom lecture.

A final practical point: there is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now, pay later is available. That reduces pressure if your Dublin plan is still changing.

Who should book this gin masterclass

This works best for adults who want a structured, friendly introduction to modern Irish gin. It is especially good if you like flavors and want to connect them to botanicals, not just do a tasting for the buzz.

Book it if you:

• enjoy gin but want a clear way to compare four different styles
• like educational experiences that stay fun, not stiff
• want afternoon tea included, so you can make it a complete half of your day
• need non gin or non-alcoholic options and plan to request them when booking

Skip it or consider alternatives if you are searching for an all-day, ultra-technical distilling course. The guided session is only 60 minutes, and the experience is intentionally compact.

Also note the rules. The session is not suitable for children under 18. Baby strollers and baby carriages are not allowed, climbing is not allowed, and bare feet are not allowed.

Should you book Stillgarden’s Dublin gin masterclass?

I think it is a good booking when you want a focused Dublin activity: distillery-based gin education, four gins to taste, and a proper afternoon tea included. The botanical wall and the Q&A are the parts that give it weight, and the flight structure helps you get something you can actually carry into future tastings.

If you know you love gin but you dislike being rushed, check your expectations. The session is short by design. For many people, that is exactly the right length.

If you are on a schedule, traveling with friends who want something different than another pub stop, or you want an Irish gin experience with context and food, this is worth your time.

FAQ

Where does the gin masterclass take place?

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

How long is the guided class?

The fully guided class lasts 60 minutes.

What is included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, a mixer, and afternoon tea.

How many gins do I taste during the masterclass?

You taste 4 of Stillgarden’s signature gins.

Are non gin or non alcoholic options available?

Yes. Non gin and non alcoholic options are available, but you need to let them know ahead of time when booking.

Do sessions end with a Q&A?

Yes. All sessions end with a Q&A with one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts.

Which days do public sessions run?

Public sessions run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Is this experience suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years.

Does the experience run rain or shine?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Is it wheelchair accessible, and are there any rules to know?

The experience is wheelchair accessible. Also, baby strollers and baby carriages are not allowed, climbing is not allowed, and bare feet are not allowed.