Gin meets cake in a modern distillery lesson. At Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin County, you get a fully hosted Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass built around their modern Irish gins, from distillation stories to what those flavors taste like in your glass. It runs 90 minutes and includes a welcome drink and a four-gin tasting flight.

I like two things most. First, the gins are made onsite, so the tasting feels tied to the place and not just a generic flight. Second, you’ll learn from their wall of 120 botanicals, with guidance from Stillgarden liquid experts who translate all that plant talk into something you can actually taste.

One thing to consider: it is not for kids. The experience is not suitable for children under 18, so if you’re traveling with younger family members, this won’t fit.

Key Highlights Worth Planning For

• Four signature gins in a hosted tasting flight, plus a welcome drink
• A wall of 120 botanicals used to explain how flavors are built
• Stillgarden liquid experts lead the session and finish with a Q&A
• Afternoon tea with sandwiches and decadent cakes after the tastings
• Non-gin and non-alcoholic options are available if you request them ahead of time

Stillgarden Distillery: where modern Irish gin meets afternoon tea

Stillgarden Distillery is the setting for an experience that mixes two very Irish comfort ideas: spirits and tea. You’re not just sampling drinks in a shop window; you’re stepping into the distillery world where modern Irish gin design starts with botanicals and process.

For me, the best part of this kind of class is the way it connects craft to the sip. You get context first, then you taste, so the four signature gins make more sense than if you showed up mid-flight with no explanation.

Also, the duration is short enough to feel manageable. Ninety minutes is long enough to learn and taste, but it’s not so long that you lose energy before the food arrives.

How the 90 minutes work (and what each part is really for)

This masterclass is built to move in a clear rhythm: overview and history, then tasting, then afternoon tea, and finally a Q&A.

You’ll start with an introduction that covers the ginspiration behind the range of modern Irish gins. Expect a talk that touches on the history of distillation and then shifts toward what drives flavor in Stillgarden’s style—especially their botanicals collection and how it becomes a final recipe.

Next comes the tasting. You will sample 4 signature gins in a guided flight. The goal isn’t just to say which one is strongest or sweetest. It’s to help you notice differences between gins, and to connect those differences back to the botanical choices you just heard about.

After the tastings, you move into afternoon tea. This includes a selection of cakes and sandwiches, paired with the relaxed pace of tea service instead of the quick tempo of bar sipping.

The session ends with a Q&A with one of the liquid experts. That matters more than it sounds, because it gives you a chance to ask practical questions like what makes a gin feel balanced, what botanicals typically show up in each expression, or how to think about the difference between gin styles.

The botanicals wall and distillation history: why it’s more than trivia

The standout learning moment here is the wall of 120 botanicals. That number alone tells you Stillgarden treats the gin recipe like a built system, not a one-note flavor formula.

When you’re shown a large collection like that, you start understanding why gin can taste so different from one bottle to another. It’s not only about juniper. Botanicals can shape aroma, sweetness, spice, herbal character, and even how dry a gin feels in the finish.

The distillation history component also helps you get your bearings fast—what distillation is doing, and why it’s central to gin making. You don’t need to know chemistry to benefit. You just need the basic idea: distillation concentrates flavor components and sets the stage for the botanicals to show up in the glass.

In practical terms, this part makes the tasting smarter. After you’ve seen the botanical lineup and heard how the process works, you’ll taste the four gins with more attention instead of treating each pour like a mystery.

Your tasting flight: how to enjoy four signature gins without rushing

The tickets include a welcome drink plus a 4-gin tasting flight. That means you’re getting multiple pours, and the class is designed so you can compare them instead of just sampling randomly.

A good tasting flight isn’t about being able to identify every botanical on demand. It’s about learning your own preferences: Do you like bright citrus edges? Do you prefer herbal calm or something spicier? Does one gin feel smoother and another sharper?

Here’s how I’d approach it in your place. Take small sips and give each gin a few seconds to open up on your palate. Then switch to the next one with the mindset of comparison, not competition. If a gin tastes strong, don’t panic—often that strength is part of the balance the expert will explain.

Because the class includes afternoon tea right after, you don’t want to overdo it. Pace yourself so you still enjoy the sandwiches and cakes, which are part of why this experience feels special rather than purely boozy.

Afternoon tea after gin: what the food adds to the experience

One reason people enjoy this format is that it doesn’t end with the drink. The afternoon tea comes followed by the tasting, with a selection of cakes and sandwiches.

For most of us, tea is about comfort and conversation. Here it becomes a second act: you shift from tasting and learning to eating and relaxing. That change of tempo makes the whole experience feel more like an outing than a strict workshop.

The key practical point is that the tea selection includes both savory and sweet items. Sandwiches can help reset your palate between tastings and keep the experience feeling balanced. Cakes add the sweet side that makes the overall afternoon feel complete.

If you’re choosing this class because you like the idea of afternoon tea, this is one of the better ways to pair it. The food isn’t an afterthought; it’s scheduled right into the masterclass flow.

Alcohol-free options: how to plan when you’re not doing gin

This experience isn’t only for gin drinkers. There are non-gin and non-alcoholic options available if you let the team know beforehand.

That’s important for two reasons. First, you can still take part fully without feeling left out while others taste. Second, it helps you get the same educational piece about botanicals and flavor design, even if you’re not having gin in your glass.

If alcohol-free is part of your needs, I’d treat the request as an essential planning step rather than a last-minute note. The tour info specifically says to let them know beforehand, so give yourself time to do it.

Value and price: what $74 gets you in real terms

At $74 per person, this is not a budget activity. But it also isn’t just a drink sampler. You’re paying for a hosted distillery experience in Dublin County that bundles together:

• A welcome drink
• A 4-gin tasting flight
• Afternoon tea with cakes and sandwiches
• A Q&A with a liquid expert

For a lot of people, that set package is the value. You don’t have to piece together transportation, a tasting, and then a separate tea booking. The time is managed for you, and the expert guidance is part of what you’re buying.

Another value factor is focus. You’re tasting a controlled flight of signature gins from Stillgarden, not a random assortment. The learning component ties it all together, and the Q&A gives you payoff beyond the main explanation.

If you’re a casual gin fan, you may wonder whether it’s worth it. For me, it is when you like structure and you’ll actually use the guidance. If you’d rather taste on your own pace without food, a tasting room visit might be simpler. But if you want the full afternoon setup, this price makes more sense.

Practical details that affect your comfort

This experience runs rain or shine, so plan for Ireland weather. Wear layers you can adjust quickly, and bring footwear you’re comfortable standing in during a distillery visit.

It’s also clearly an adult-focused outing: it’s not suitable for children under 18. That matters if you’re hoping to make it a family activity.

The session is guided in English, so you’ll be able to follow the distillation and botanicals talk without guessing. And since it’s wheelchair accessible, you can focus more on enjoying the class rather than worrying about getting around.

Sessions run at set starting times, so check availability for the time that fits your day.

Who should book this masterclass, and who might skip it

I’d book this if you want an Irish gin experience with food and real hosting. It’s a great fit for couples, friends, or solo travelers who enjoy structured tasting and want to understand what they’re drinking rather than just moving from sip to sip.

It also suits you if you like afternoon tea as a concept and want a twist. You get the classic tea comfort—sandwiches and cakes—plus the gin component with expert explanations.

You might skip it if you’re looking for a super long distillery tour with lots of walking and a full day schedule. This is timed tightly at 90 minutes. Or if gin is not your thing at all, the class is only partially for you—though there are non-gin and non-alcoholic options, it’s still centered on gin tasting.

Should you book Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass at Stillgarden Distillery?

Yes—if you want a short, guided, hosted afternoon that combines 4 signature gins with proper afternoon tea, this is a strong choice. The botanicals wall and the Q&A add real learning value, and the pace keeps you from feeling rushed.

Before you book, decide two things: first, you’re comfortable with a 18+ setting; second, if you need non-gin or non-alcoholic options, plan ahead and request them so you get the right setup from the start.

If those boxes fit, you’ll likely walk away with both a full stomach and a clearer sense of what makes modern Irish gin taste the way it does.

FAQ

Where does the Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass take place?

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

How long is the masterclass?

The experience lasts about 1.5 hours (90 minutes).

How many gins do I taste?

Your ticket includes a flight of 4 signature gins.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Tickets include a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with a selection of sandwiches and cakes.

Is there a Q&A at the end?

Yes. All sessions end with a Q&A with one of the liquid experts.

Are non-gin or non-alcoholic options available?

Yes, non-gin and non-alcoholic options are available if you let them know beforehand.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

What language is the live guide in?

The tour is guided in English.

Is it held rain or shine?

Yes, it takes place rain or shine.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

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