Whiskey gets a hands-on makeover here in Dublin. In the Liberties district, Roe & Co turns the former Guinness Power Station into a small-group flavor studio, with lots of interaction and two workshop styles to choose from. You also get the chance to explore the Power Station itself, not just a tasting counter.

Two things I really like: first, the group stays tiny, with a max of 4 travelers, so the instructor can actually answer your questions. Second, you get more than a passive tasting—you learn how to blend and you build toward a Whiskey Old Fashioned (plus a signature serve afterward).

One thing to consider: this is strictly for adults only, since it’s over 18s with valid ID. Also, if you’re hoping for a purely whiskey-history heavy tour, you may find the focus leans more toward mixing and flavor-building.

Key things to know before you go

• Max 4 group size means real back-and-forth, not a lecture you can’t ask questions about
• Choose your workshop: blending-focused (Room 106) or flavor-profile focused (5 pillars)
• You’ll learn the Whiskey Old Fashioned approach, then get to drink a signature serve at the bar
• Former Guinness Power Station setting gives the whole experience extra drama and style
• Multiple guide styles exist (some guides are described as funny and very engaging), so you’ll want to pay attention when they walk you through steps

A Former Guinness Power Station in the Liberties

Roe & Co’s experience is set in the former Guinness Power Station in Dublin 8, in the Liberties area. That location matters more than you’d think. When the building itself has presence, the tour feels like an event, not just another ticketed tasting.

The vibe is also different from the usual “bottles on shelves” distillery format. You’re in a showpiece space with rooms designed for sensory work, and the staff lean into that. One big theme here is flavor: not just the whiskey, but how aromas, taste, and mixing decisions come together.

It’s also close to other major drink-focused sights in Dublin, so it’s easy to build a spirits day without sprinting across town. If you like combining stops, this one fits nicely because it’s in a central, busy part of the city.

And yes, it has real recognition beyond Dublin circles—Roe & Co’s attraction has been noted as a top new opening in the world for 2019. That kind of attention usually means they’re doing something with the visitor experience, not just the product.

How the 1h15 Experience Flows (and what you actually do)

This is a short, focused outing at about 1 hour 15 minutes. In that time, they don’t send you wandering. Instead, you move through a sequence: learn the “why” behind flavor, do the hands-on part, then finish with a serve.

You’ll start at the distillery and head straight into the workshop space. Depending on what you pick, you’ll either work on blending decisions or build your taste profile using a structured framework (the 5 pillars). Both tracks are designed to make you more confident tasting and mixing, not just to check a box.

After the workshop, you get to relax in the Power House Bar with a signature drink. That’s a smart design choice. You’re not expected to sit there taking notes the whole time. You practice, you taste, and you land on a final pour in the show-stopping bar space.

Because the tour is offered in English and capped at 4 travelers, you can usually hear the instructions clearly and ask questions when they come up. If you’ve ever been frustrated by larger tours where one person talks and everyone else waits, this format fixes that.

The Blending Room 106: Build a Whiskey Old Fashioned

If you choose the blending option, you’ll work through the process tied to Room 106. The whole idea is that blending is part science, part palate, and part personal preference. You’re shown how Roe & Co thinks about combining flavors into something that tastes balanced, rather than just “strong” or “sweet.”

The practical payoff: you learn how to blend toward the perfect Whiskey Old Fashioned. This isn’t just a name drop. The method is meant to give you a repeatable approach—how you consider the whiskey character, how you think about sweet and aromatic elements, and how the drink should land on your palate.

One detail that came up in feedback: you may be given a glass with a large square ice cube, along with step-by-step instructions. That matters because ice isn’t just garnish. In an Old Fashioned, ice and dilution influence how fast flavors show up and how smooth the finish feels.

Guides can strongly affect the feel of the class. Some people highlight guides like Andrew for being especially good, and they also mention staff such as Tim and Isaac for humor and skill. You can take that as a hint: pay attention when they explain the why behind each step, because that’s where the class turns from fun into something you can use later.

The Flavors Option: Use the 5 Pillars to Find Your Taste

Not everyone wants to play mixologist right away. If that sounds like you, the flavor experience is a great alternative.

In the flavors track, you use Roe & Co’s 5 pillars of flavor to figure out what kind of taste profile you tend to enjoy. It’s a different way to approach whiskey and cocktails. Instead of jumping straight into blending decisions, you build a map of your preferences first.

This can be especially useful if you’re buying whiskey later and want to make more intentional choices. A lot of people taste once, then shop based on what they remember tasting as sweet, smoky, or smooth. The 5 pillars method pushes you toward a more “why” approach: you learn to connect flavor impressions to structure.

It also makes the tasting part feel less random. When you know what a pillar means and why it changes a drink, the signature serve afterward lands more clearly. You’ll taste with a bit more purpose.

Tasting and the Power House Bar Signature Serve

The workshop isn’t the finish line. After you complete your chosen activity, you head to the Power House Bar for a signature drink.

This is a smart wrap-up. If you only did blending or flavor exercises, the experience might feel like homework. The bar serve turns it into payoff time. You get to experience a “final product” version of what you practiced.

Some comments include specific flavor highlights from the signature cocktails, like clarified grapefruit juice in a craft serve. That’s a nice reminder that the cocktail side here isn’t stuck in one classic mold. Roe & Co seems interested in modern flavor decisions, not just old-school sweetness.

Also, having the signature serve in a show-stopping space helps you shift from instruction mode to enjoy mode. You don’t need to rush out right away. You can take a moment, compare what you built or learned to what’s served, and let it click.

Price and Value vs. Other Dublin Spirits Tours

At $33.86 per person for about 1 hour 15 minutes, this tour is not trying to be the cheapest whiskey stop in Dublin. It’s trying to be the most practical one for people who want something they can repeat at home.

Here’s why that price can feel fair:

• You’re in a very small group (max 4), which usually means better attention and less time waiting
• You get a structured workshop, either blending-focused or flavor-profile focused
• You leave with an additional drink experience in the Power House Bar, not just a short sip and out-the-door tasting

Compared with tours that mostly pour and talk, the value comes from doing. You’re spending money on participation, not only samples.

Also, this is strictly over 18s, which keeps the vibe adult and focused. If you’re coming as a couple or a small group, this setup often feels like a sweet spot: still intimate, still guided, and not packed.

When to Go, What to Wear, and Who This Suits

Pick this tour when you want a fun, sensory lesson that doesn’t take half your day. The duration is short enough that you can fit it between other plans, especially in Dublin where you’ll likely be bouncing around by neighborhood.

Good timing tip: if you’re planning multiple spirits stops, schedule this earlier in the day. The reason is simple—you’ll build your palate here, and then later tastings feel more meaningful.

What to wear? Nothing fancy is required based on the info here. Just dress for comfort and moving through indoor spaces. You’ll be standing and listening, and you’ll likely spend time at stations during the workshop.

This experience fits best if you:

• love cocktails and want to learn technique, not only taste
• enjoy hands-on classes where you get feedback
• want a small-group format in a big-name Dublin attraction area

It might be less ideal if you only care about whiskey history facts or if you’re very sensitive to a stronger cocktail/mixing emphasis. The focus here is flavor-building and mixing approach, with history present but not the main event.

Practicalities: Tickets, Language, and Getting There

Booking is straightforward, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket. The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Location-wise, it’s designed to be easy to find. You’re in Dublin’s Liberties district, and the area is also linked to public transport. That matters because you don’t want an enjoyable class ruined by a frustrating arrival.

One more practical point: it allows service animals. If that applies to you, you can plan with more confidence.

And remember the strict rule: it’s only for travelers over 18, and you’ll need valid ID. Bring it even if you feel old enough to skip the reminder—events like this are strict about entry.

Should You Book Roe & Co Distillery Experiences?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a small-group, hands-on whiskey and cocktail experience in a building with real character. The best reason is that you’re not just tasting—you’re learning a blending framework and then using it toward an Old Fashioned approach, finishing with a signature serve at the bar.

Choose the blending option if you want technique and a more active role. Choose the 5 pillars option if you want to understand your own taste preferences first.

Skip it only if you’re set on a purely whiskey-nerd history tour, or if you can’t (or don’t want to) bring valid ID for an over-18 requirement.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Roe & Co Distillery Experiences tour?

It runs for about 1 hour 15 minutes.

What is the group size?

The experience has a maximum of 4 travelers.

Is it offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. It’s strictly over 18 only, and you’ll need valid age ID.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The ticket is a mobile ticket.

Where is it located, and is it easy to reach?

It’s in Dublin, in the Liberties district of Dublin 8, and it’s near public transportation.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.