Guided Tour to Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Leitrim

The best part of this two-hour distillery tour is its setting in rural Drumshanbo, where The Shed Distillery brought distilling back to Connacht after more than 101 years. You get a guided look at the making of gin and whiskey, not just a quick drink at the bar.

I like the clear tasting finish: Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey followed by a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic. I also like the small maximum group of 26, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. The main drawback is simple: this is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, so you need to plan your own way to the meeting point.

Key points to know before you book

• A rare Connacht distillery experience: The Shed Distillery was the first distillery in Connacht in more than 101 years.
• Two different tastings: You sample Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, then receive a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic.
• A memorable final setting: The tour ends at the Honey Badger bar in a botanical glasshouse.
• A manageable group size: The tour accepts no more than 26 people.
• Good value for drinkers: At $25.34 per person, the price includes the guided visit and both tasting moments.
• Easy booking terms: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Entering The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo

The experience begins at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, at The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22. The supplied location is listed under Sligo for booking purposes, but the actual meeting point is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. Check your route carefully before setting out.

The distillery is the home of several products linked to PJ Rigney, including Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and other spirits. The tour gives you a look at the work behind those bottles, with a guide leading the group through the production story.

I like that the visit is built around the distillery itself rather than a general food or drink tasting. You are visiting the place where these spirits are made, and that gives the tasting more meaning. You can connect what you see during the tour with what arrives in your glass later.

The experience is offered in English. The group can include up to 26 people, large enough to create some energy but still far smaller than a big coach-style visit. If you want to ask questions, arrive ready to speak up when the guide pauses. No guide names are provided, but the tour is led by one of the distillery’s ambassadors.

Understanding how the gin and whiskey are made

The first part of the visit explains how gin and whiskey are distilled and how botanical flavors are brought into the gin. That is useful even if you already know the basics, since gin and whiskey rely on different ingredients, processes, and aging choices.

The gin side of the visit centers on Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. Its name and style make the botanical element central to the story. The tour lets you learn how different botanical flavors are infused, then gives you a chance to taste the finished result later with tonic.

Whiskey receives equal attention through Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The tasting is described as an expert-led experience, so expect the ambassador to guide you through the whiskey rather than simply hand you a glass. The value here is the chance to compare what you learn about production with what you notice in the spirit.

I would not book this expecting a long technical master class in distilling. The tour lasts about two hours and includes the visit, whiskey tasting, and gin and tonic. It is better suited to someone who wants a clear introduction with drinks included than to a serious spirits student seeking a full production course.

The whiskey tasting with a distillery ambassador

The guided whiskey tasting focuses on Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. You get to taste it as part of the tour, with an ambassador from The Shed Distillery explaining the spirit and helping you understand what is in the glass.

This is one of the strongest parts of the experience for anyone curious about Irish whiskey. The tasting gives the production discussion a practical finish. Instead of hearing only about distillation, you can pause over the finished whiskey and think about its character.

A tasting can also be a good way to decide if this is a bottle you would want to buy later. The available information does not promise a retail purchase or provide details about bottle prices, so I would treat that as an extra possibility rather than a reason to book.

The supplied feedback puts the whiskey tasting among the most enjoyable parts of the visit. That makes sense for a simple reason: the tasting is not an add-on squeezed into a short visit. It is part of the main plan, followed by a second drink in a different setting.

Finishing with Gunpowder Gin in the Honey Badger bar

After the guided portion and whiskey tasting, the tour ends with a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar. This bar is inside a botanical glasshouse, which gives the final drink a change of mood and place.

The glasshouse is a smart finish. You move from learning about the distillery to sitting with a prepared drink in a more relaxed setting. It also makes the last part feel like a proper tasting experience rather than a rushed sample at the end of a workroom tour.

The gin and tonic is included in the admission price. That matters when you judge the $25.34 cost, because you are paying for the guided visit, the whiskey tasting, and a complete gin and tonic, not simply entry to the building.

I would allow the full two hours rather than trying to fit this into a tight schedule. The timing is approximate, and the group may need time to move through the experience, listen to the ambassador, and enjoy both tastings. The tour ends back at the starting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return meeting place.

Is $25.34 good value?

At $25.34 per person, this is a fair price for a two-hour guided distillery visit with two distinct drink experiences. The strongest value comes from the combination: a guided look at production, an expert whiskey tasting, and a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic in the Honey Badger bar.

The price would be less appealing if the tour only offered a small sample and a short talk. That is not what is described here. You receive enough time for a proper visit, and the final drink gives the experience a clear finish.

Still, value depends on your interest. If you do not drink alcohol, much of the appeal will be lost. The information provided does not mention non-alcoholic alternatives, so I would not assume that a substitute drink is included.

For a couple or small group already interested in Irish spirits, this makes a useful stop. It is also a pleasant way to add a local experience to a visit around County Leitrim. The experience feels more specific than a standard pub tasting because you visit the producer and learn how the drinks are made.

Group size, timing, and practical details

The tour runs for approximately two hours and accepts a maximum of 26 people. That cap is worth noting if you dislike crowded tastings. It does not guarantee a private or quiet visit, but it limits the size and should help keep the presentation manageable.

The meeting point is:

The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney

The Food Hub, Carricknabrack

Drumshanbo, County Leitrim

N41 WR22, Ireland

The activity begins and ends at this same location. Public transportation is nearby, according to the available details, but no specific route or timetable is provided. You should confirm your own transport plan before booking, especially if you are building the visit into a wider day of sightseeing.

The tour is available in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The information does not give detailed notes about stairs, walking distances, or wheelchair access, so contact the provider if you need those specifics before paying.

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. That is useful for a visit where the address matters, since you will want the confirmed meeting information close at hand.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you like learning how drinks are produced and prefer a guided tasting to simply ordering a cocktail. It suits people with an interest in Irish gin, Irish whiskey, or both.

It is also a good choice for visitors who want something tied to a particular place. The story of the first Connacht distillery in more than 101 years gives the visit a local reason for being there. You are not just tasting a popular Irish spirit in a generic bar.

The tour fits couples, friends, and adult groups looking for a relaxed activity. The small maximum group is helpful for anyone who wants a chance to listen and ask questions. The 4.8 out of 5 rating from 82 ratings, along with a 95 percent recommendation rate, suggests that the format works well for most people who book it.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling with young children, do not drink, or want a broad tour of the entire region. This is a focused distillery visit, not a general Drumshanbo sightseeing tour. The provided information also does not state a minimum age, so check before booking for children or younger members of your party.

A few drawbacks to keep in mind

The main practical issue is location. Drumshanbo is the actual meeting point, even though the experience is presented under Sligo in the booking details. If your accommodation is elsewhere, allow enough time to reach County Leitrim.

The group limit of 26 is reasonable, but it is not a private tour. If you want one-to-one attention throughout, you may find the group format less personal than a private tasting.

The tasting content is also specific. You receive Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic. That is a good pairing, but you should not book expecting a broad flight of many whiskeys and gins.

Finally, the tour is only in English. If you need another language, this experience may not be the right fit.

Booking and cancellation advice

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that same period are not accepted.

I would book once your transport and day plan are settled. The tour is commonly booked about 13 days ahead, so last-minute spaces may not always be available. Since the experience ends where it starts, it is easiest to build it around a planned visit to Drumshanbo rather than treat it as a flexible stop between distant towns.

Should you book The Shed Distillery tour?

Book this tour if you want a clear, good-value introduction to Irish gin and whiskey with the drinks included. The visit has a sensible rhythm: learn how the spirits are made, taste the whiskey with an ambassador, then finish with a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic in the Honey Badger botanical glasshouse.

I would especially choose it if you are already near Drumshanbo and want a local experience with a strong sense of place. The $25.34 price is reasonable for two hours and two tasting moments.

Skip it if you do not drink, need a tour in another language, or cannot easily reach the County Leitrim meeting point. For everyone else, the combination of local history, production insight, whiskey tasting, and a relaxed gin finish makes this one of the stronger small-scale drink experiences in the area.

FAQ

How long does the guided tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes a tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 26 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.