A gin tasting in a distillery sounds fancy, until you see how practical it is. This Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass at Stillgarden Distillery pairs a hosted gin lesson with afternoon tea, all wrapped into a tight 90-minute session. I like that you get a wall of 120 botanicals story plus a structured tasting of four signature gins, not just random sipping. The main drawback to consider is that it’s not suitable for children under 18, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling as a family.

The setting also works well if you’re curious but not a gin expert. You’ll walk through the history of distillation, then shift into what actually matters: how botanicals and flavor come through in a glass. At the end, you get a real chance to ask questions during a guided Q&A with Stillgarden’s liquid experts.

If you’re after a long, slow afternoon, this isn’t that. It’s a focused, hosted tasting plus tea service, so come with time for the full 1.5 hours rather than popping in and out.

Key points at a glance

• Four signature gins in a guided flight so you taste with context, not guesswork
• 120 botanicals wall used as a real teaching tool for how modern gin flavors are built
• Afternoon tea included with sandwiches and decadent cakes, timed right after the tastings
• Fully hosted by Stillgarden liquid experts with a Q&A at the end
• Non-gin and non-alcoholic options available if you tell them beforehand

Stillgarden Distillery: where the gin lesson starts

Stillgarden Distillery is the stage for this experience, and the pacing matters. You’re not just sitting with a drink; you’re being guided through how the distillation world thinks. That history piece gives you a baseline, which makes the later tasting feel less like trivia and more like flavor logic.

One of the best parts is the way they use their resources to explain the craft. You’ll go through the history of distillation and then see the wall of 120 botanicals, which is basically a visual map of the ingredients used across their range. Even if you’re brand-new to gin, seeing so many botanicals in one place helps you understand why two gins can taste totally different even when they’re both gin.

This is also a good option if you like modern Irish spirits. The masterclass is designed around their modern Irish gins, so you’ll spend your time on what’s actually in their current lineup, not generic old-school production talk.

The 90-minute flow: welcome drink, tasting flight, tea, then Q&A

This masterclass runs for about 1.5 hours (90 minutes), and everything is bundled tightly. You should plan to arrive with enough buffer that you can settle in when the session starts. Since sessions have starting times you’ll need to check availability for, don’t assume it’s a walk-in.

Here’s the experience rhythm, in plain terms:

First, you’re welcomed with a welcome drink. That sets the tone and helps you ease into the tasting mood before you start comparing different gins.

Next comes the heart of it: a 4 gin tasting flight. You’ll taste four signature gins that are labeled and guided as part of the session. This matters because you’ll understand what to pay attention to while you taste, instead of getting four drinks and hoping you’ll figure out the differences on your own.

After the tastings, you move into afternoon tea. Tickets include a selection of sandwiches and decadent cakes, which is exactly the right reset after alcohol sampling. The timing keeps it fun rather than tiring, and it also gives you something to pair with what you tasted.

Finally, sessions end with a Q&A with one of the liquid experts. I like this last part because it turns the experience from a lecture into a conversation. If you’re wondering how a certain botanical shows up in flavor, or you want recommendations for what to try next, this is when you can ask.

The gin masterclass: 120 botanicals and how flavors get built

Gin is basically a flavor system, and this masterclass helps you see that system. The tour portion brings you through the history of distillation and then highlights their wall of 120 botanicals. That botanical wall is more than decor. It’s a teaching tool that gives you a quick mental model: gin’s character comes from the botanical choices and how they’re used.

You’ll taste four signature gins, and the goal is to help you spot patterns. You might notice things like how a gin can lean more floral, more herbal, more spiced, or more citrus-forward. Even without being a “professional taster,” you can usually pick up on whether one gin feels lighter or more punchy after tasting multiple options back-to-back.

A smart move here is to treat the flight like a mini learning lab. Take a moment between pours and pay attention to what you smell first, then what hits next. The masterclass is set up so you can compare gins during the same session, which makes your notes (even mental ones) stick.

And since the tasting is hosted, you’re not stuck in silence. Stillgarden’s liquid experts guide the experience, and the session ends with Q&A so you can ask follow-ups instead of guessing later.

Afternoon tea after gin: the pairing logic you’ll actually feel

Afternoon tea can be its own thing, but here it works as part of the tasting arc. The ticket includes a selection of sandwiches and cakes, which gives you both savory and sweet breaks. That’s important because it changes how you perceive flavor.

After sipping multiple gins, your palate can get a bit overloaded. The sandwiches help reset with something savory, and then the cakes bring sweetness that can either contrast or soften certain notes you noticed during the flight. Even if you don’t plan to do formal “pairing,” eating during the experience keeps it enjoyable.

What I like is that the tea isn’t presented as an afterthought. It’s built into the full 90-minute experience, coming after the tasting and before the Q&A. That keeps the whole session moving, so you’re not waiting around hungry or finishing gin and then being left to snack on your own.

Also, since the tour is hosted in English, you can ask questions that relate directly to what you’re tasting and eating in the moment. That makes the afternoon tea feel like part of the learning rather than just included filler.

Drinks for everyone: non-gin and non-alcoholic choices

Not everyone wants gin, and not everyone wants alcohol. The good news is Stillgarden offers non-gin and non-alcoholic options, as long as you let them know beforehand.

I recommend thinking ahead about what kind of alternative you want. If you’re avoiding gin flavors specifically, ask for a non-gin option. If you’re avoiding alcohol altogether, request a non-alcoholic alternative. Either way, giving them notice matters so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

This is one of those details that can make or break your day. When alternatives are available, you get to enjoy the guided context without feeling forced into a tasting format that doesn’t work for you.

Price and value: is $74 per person reasonable?

At $74 per person, this isn’t bargain-bin tourism. But it’s also not just paying for tea and a single drink. You’re paying for a hosted gin masterclass experience that includes:

• A welcome drink
• A 4 gin tasting flight
• Afternoon tea (sandwiches and cakes)
• A guided session with distillation and botanicals context
• An end-of-session Q&A with liquid experts

The value equation here is the combination. If you tried to do these things separately—distillery visit, guided tasting, and afternoon tea—you’d likely end up with a longer itinerary and higher total costs. Bundling everything into one hosted session is practical, and the 90-minute structure helps you get your money’s worth without turning it into an all-afternoon commitment.

So I’d frame it like this: you’re not paying only for the alcohol. You’re paying for the explanation, the organized tasting format, and the tea service that follows.

Who should book this masterclass (and who might want to skip)

This experience fits best if you like structured tastings and you want to learn while you sample. It’s also a strong choice if you’re visiting Dublin County and want something more hands-on than a standard museum stop.

You’ll probably enjoy it most if:

• You’re curious about modern Irish gin
• You want guided tasting of multiple gins (four signatures in one go)
• You like afternoon tea and don’t want to hunt down a separate place to eat
• You prefer a hosted, English-language experience with time for questions

It’s not suitable for children under 18, so it’s aimed at adults.

If you’re someone who hates structured tastings or wants maximum freedom, this may feel too scheduled. But if you enjoy being guided through a topic and then tasting in sequence, the format works well.

Rain-or-shine planning: what to expect day-of

The experience runs rain or shine, so you don’t have to stress about Irish weather wrecking your afternoon. Still, it’s smart to dress like you might be outside at least part of the time, especially if you’re traveling around the distillery area.

Also, since it’s hosted and timed, treat the start time as real. Plan to arrive a little early so you’re not rushed when your session begins.

Should you book the Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass?

Book it if you want a high-quality, hosted way to taste Stillgarden’s signature gins with real context, then top it off with afternoon tea. The 120 botanicals teaching element plus the structured 4-gin flight is exactly the kind of learning that makes tastings more fun, not just more expensive.

Skip it if you’re allergic to the idea of guided tasting, you’re traveling with under-18s, or you’re only looking for a quick drink without the explanation and Q&A.

If you’re on the fence, the deciding question is simple: do you want to learn how gin flavors are built, while you enjoy sandwiches and cake afterward? If yes, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass?

The experience lasts 90 minutes (about 1.5 hours).

What’s included in the ticket?

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. Sessions also end with a Q&A with one of the liquid experts.

Can I get a non-gin or non-alcoholic option?

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

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is it suitable for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18 years.

Is there a cancellation option for a refund?

Yes. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Fire Lake & Tea Factory & PinneapleTea ceremony by the tea master in Kyoto SHIUN ANSeoul: Traditional Korean Dessert Workshop with Korean TeaKyoto: Wazuma Magic Show & Tea Ceremony