Gin and whiskey in a shed distillery. This guided visit to The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney gives you a close-up look at the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years, plus a tasting that goes from single pot still whiskey to a refreshing gin and tonic. I like that the experience is structured and easy to follow, so you spend your time learning rather than wandering.

What I also like is the payoff at the end: a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar inside the botanical glasshouse. If you’re hoping for a long, slow tour with lots of extra time on your own, this one is only about 2 hours, and it does include alcohol tastings—so it may not be your best match if you don’t drink.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• First distillery in Connacht in over 101 years at PJ Rigney’s Shed Distillery
• Expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey led by an ambassador
• Gin and tonic finish with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin at the Honey Badger bar
• Botanical glasshouse setting for the last part of the tour
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 26 travelers

A shed distillery visit that feels like real rural Ireland

This tour centers on The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim—rural, practical, and purpose-built for making great spirits. One reason I find it appealing is that it is not pretending to be some grand museum. It feels like what it is: a working distillery space, paired with a guided experience that keeps things moving.

And because it is the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years, you’re not just sampling a drink—you’re stepping into a story of regional revival. Even if you’re not a whiskey superfan, that context matters. It helps you understand why people are proud of this place and why the tour format focuses so hard on the process.

The guided timing is also a plus. You get a clear start, a focused walk-through, then a tasting sequence that ends with a bar moment. That structure is great if you’ve had it with tours that feel scattered or overly long.

Stop 1 at the Shed Distillery: whiskey tasting with a real process focus

Your tour begins at the Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney at The Food Hub in Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo (the meeting point is listed as N41 WR22). From there, you’re led through the distillery with an emphasis on how the spirits are made and shaped.

The headline tasting here is Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. It’s described as an expert tasting, guided by one of the distillery’s ambassadors. What you should expect is a guided way of tasting, not just a pour and a shrug. You’ll get that “how it’s made connects to how it tastes” experience, which is especially helpful for first-timers.

Single pot still whiskey can be tricky to appreciate without context. The tour format does the useful thing: it gives you a framework so you can notice differences rather than just chase a pleasant flavor. If you’re the type who likes to understand the why behind the drink, this part is worth your time.

Also, because the tour is fully guided, you’re not stuck asking strangers where to look. You follow along, you get your tasting, and you move on. That matters when you’ve only got about two hours total.

What I’d pay attention to during the whiskey tasting

The tour is designed to connect spirit-making with flavor. So when you taste the single pot still Irish whiskey, keep your attention on:

• How the aroma shifts when you take your first proper sniff after the pour
• How the flavors land in layers, not all at once
• How the guide’s talk helps you name what you’re tasting rather than guessing

If you want the most from the session, ask simple questions during the tasting portion. You’ll get better answers when the group is seated and focused.

The Honey Badger bar finish: gin and tonic in the botanical glasshouse

After the whiskey portion, the tour wraps with a refreshing Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar. The setting is the botanical glasshouse, which is a big part of why the finish feels like more than just a free drink.

A gin and tonic at the end is a smart choice. It changes the pace from tasting straight whiskey to tasting a gin profile that’s intended to be enjoyed with botanicals and tonic. You’re basically getting a second lesson—how a different style of spirit, built around botanicals, translates into something crisp and easy to drink.

The name Gunpowder Irish Gin also hints at a distinct botanical approach, and your guided tour helps you connect that idea to what’s in your glass. The gin isn’t served as a random add-on; it’s the closing chapter of the same flavor story you started with during the whiskey tasting.

One more practical note: this is also your time to relax and talk with your group. Since the experience has a maximum of 26 travelers, the vibe tends to stay friendly rather than chaotic. If you want a bit of conversation without turning it into a pub night, this is a good balance.

What the $25.34 price really buys you

This tour is listed at $25.34 per person, lasts about 2 hours, and includes admission. On paper, that sounds straightforward. In practice, the value comes from what you get for that time:

• A guided walk-through of a working distillery space
• An expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
• A final drink experience: Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic at Honey Badger bar
• A setting that’s purpose-built for the experience, not just a quick stop and go

If you’ve ever paid for tastings that are mostly self-guided, you’ll appreciate the structure here. The tour is not just about drinking. It’s about understanding what you’re drinking, and that’s where the price starts to feel fair fast.

It also helps that the group size is capped at 26. Smaller groups usually mean you get more time with the guide and less “lost in the crowd” energy.

And it’s worth noting the demand signals: the tour is typically booked about 13 days in advance, and it has a 4.8 overall rating with 95% recommended based on 82 reviews. I don’t treat that as a guarantee, but it’s a good sign you’re not buying into a slow or confusing experience.

Timing and logistics: how to make the 2 hours work for you

The tour runs about 2 hours and ends back at the meeting point (The Food Hub in Carricknabrack). That end point detail matters because it keeps the visit self-contained—you don’t have to figure out where you’ll wander after.

The meeting location is specifically listed as:

• The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland

It’s also listed as near public transportation, so you’re not stuck needing a car. If you’re building a day around Sligo and the surrounding area, this is one of those stops that fits without turning your schedule into a puzzle.

The tour is in English, and confirmation is received at booking time. If you like knowing your start time is set before you go, that reduces stress.

One drawback to consider before you book

Because the tour is short and includes tastings, it’s not designed for people who want lots of extra time at each point. If you prefer deep, slow pacing or you don’t want any alcohol involved, you might feel slightly rushed. For most people, though, the tight timing is exactly why it’s a good value.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This experience tends to fit best if you want:

• A straightforward, guided distillery visit
• A tasting with enough guidance to actually learn something
• A relaxing finish with gin and tonic in a unique setting

It’s also ideal if you’re traveling as a couple, small group, or solo traveler. The size cap and guided flow make it easy to participate without feeling awkward.

You might want to think twice if you:

• Want more than about two hours of on-site exploration
• Don’t drink alcohol (the tour includes tastings and ends with gin and tonic)
• Are looking for a fully hands-on workshop (the tour is guided and tasting-based, not described as a DIY class)

Good news if you’re traveling with a pet or have accessibility needs: service animals are allowed, and the tour lists that most travelers can participate.

Practical tips for enjoying it without rushing

Here’s how I’d set yourself up to get the most from the experience:

• Arrive a few minutes early at The Food Hub meeting point. That helps the group start cleanly.
• If you’re sensitive to alcohol, pace your tasting sips. The tour includes tastings, but it’s still a guided structure, so you can control your speed.
• Bring a bit of curiosity. The guide’s role is to connect the process to taste, so asking simple questions makes a difference.
• Plan for a calm finish. Since the end involves a gin and tonic, it pairs nicely with an easy rest of your day after the tour.

And since most travelers can participate and it’s near public transportation, you can likely build it into your itinerary even if you’re not driving.

Should you book the Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney tour?

Yes—if you want a smart, guided distillery visit with a tasting you can actually learn from. The combination of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting plus a Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic in the botanical glasshouse is a solid use of a 2-hour window. The price feels reasonable for what’s included, and the capped group size keeps it from feeling like a production line.

Book it especially if you’re curious about how whiskey and gin flavors come from the choices made during production. And if you want a friendly, un-fussy experience in the Drumshanbo area, this is the kind of stop that makes your day feel more local and more specific.

Just keep your expectations aligned with the format: it’s timed, it includes alcohol tastings, and it’s built for guided tasting—not long wandering.

FAQ

How long is the guided tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $25.34 per person.

What is included in the experience?

It includes admission, a fully guided experience, an expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and a finish with a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What’s the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 26 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What are the rules for free cancellation?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.