Drumshanbo: The Curious Journey Distillery Tour

The most interesting part of The Curious Journey is that you visit a working distillery, not a polished display built only for tourists. At The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, you follow the making of the spirits and finish with a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and tonic in the Honey Badger Bar, set inside a Botanical Glasshouse.

I like the two-part tasting: smooth Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey first, then the exotic gin and tonic. I also like the easy pace and clear presentation. One small catch is the timing: the tour is advertised as one hour, while the fuller itinerary refers to two hours, so check the exact start time and duration when you book.

Key points at a glance

• Working distillery setting: See The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney as an active production site rather than a purely historic exhibit.
• Two distinct tastings: Sample Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey, then Gunpowder Irish Gin with tonic.
• Botanical Glasshouse finale: The last drink is served at the Honey Badger Bar in a striking glasshouse setting.
• English-led experience: A Curious Ambassador guides the tour in English, with the presentation described as easy to follow.
• More than a tour: The site also has a gift shop with special bottle editions and local fine foods, plus the Jackalope Café.
• Good booking flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

Entering The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo

Drumshanbo is home to The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, the producer of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. The tour gives you a look at the place where the spirits are made, so the main appeal is the working environment and the chance to connect the finished drink with its source.

Your guide is a Curious Ambassador. The tour is conducted in English, and one review notes that a German translation was provided even though the presentation was already easy to understand. That suggests the experience is designed to be friendly and accessible rather than technical or difficult to follow.

I would come ready to listen for the differences between the products. This is not simply a gin tasting with a few bottles lined up on a table. The visit covers whiskey and gin, and each tasting has a different role in the hour or two you spend there.

The published information gives two different duration descriptions. The main tour details say one hour, while the itinerary describes a two-hour stop including the guided tour, cocktail, spirits, shopping, and whiskey tasting. Treat the start time and length as details to confirm before booking, especially if you are arranging a meal at the café or planning a tight day in County Leitrim.

The whiskey tasting comes first

The first named tasting is Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey. The whiskey is made entirely at The Shed Distillery, and the presentation focuses on its smooth character and the fact that each drop is distilled there.

That makes this tasting useful even if you usually think of Drumshanbo as a gin brand. You get to compare the distillery’s whiskey with its better-known Gunpowder Irish Gin, rather than judging the site on a single product.

The whiskey tasting is led by a Curious Ambassador. You can expect guidance on what you are tasting, though the supplied information does not give a detailed list of whiskey expressions or a formal tasting sheet. If you enjoy asking questions, this is the point to ask about the single pot still style and how it differs from the gin production.

The tasting also helps pace the visit. You begin with a spirit meant to be considered on its own, then move to a longer, more refreshing drink later. It feels like a sensible progression, particularly for anyone new to Irish whiskey.

I would not book this tour solely for a large whiskey flight. Only one named whiskey tasting is included. The value comes from the complete visit: working distillery, whiskey sample, gin and tonic, and time to browse the site.

Gunpowder Gin in the Botanical Glasshouse

The tour finishes at the Honey Badger Bar, located in the Botanical Glasshouse. Here you receive Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and tonic, a more relaxed serving than the earlier whiskey tasting.

This final stop is the most distinctive setting on the tour. The glasshouse gives the drink a clear sense of place, and the gin and tonic offers a refreshing finish after the production visit. The Botanical Glasshouse is also a good reason to avoid rushing away as soon as the guided part ends.

The supplied information describes the gin as refreshingly exotic. You should expect the drink to be presented as a prepared gin and tonic rather than as a second neat spirit tasting. That matters if you prefer cocktails, or if you want a gentler way to try gin.

I like this structure because the drink is part of the setting. You are not merely handed a sample and sent on your way. The Honey Badger Bar turns the final tasting into a proper stopping point, giving you a chance to enjoy the drink and absorb the atmosphere.

The visit includes one gin and tonic, so serious gin fans may want to think of it as an introduction rather than a full comparative tasting. Still, the combination of Gunpowder Gin and the glasshouse setting gives the tour its strongest sense of occasion.

Why the working distillery matters

A fully operational distillery gives this experience more substance than a room filled with old equipment. You see the place as a living business, where the products being discussed are made and bottled.

The information provided does not promise access to every production area or list specific machinery. That is worth keeping in mind. You should expect a guided look at the distillery and its process, not assume that every part of the operation will be open during your visit.

For me, the value is in the connection between the site and the drink. The whiskey is distilled at The Shed Distillery, and the Gunpowder Irish Gin is the signature product associated with Drumshanbo. Tasting both after seeing the home operation gives the visit a clear purpose.

The tour is also a good fit if you want a County Leitrim experience tied to a local producer. It is not just a generic bar tasting that could happen anywhere. The location, the production site, the gift shop, the café, and the glasshouse all belong to the same visit.

The curious gift shop and Jackalope Café

After the guided portion, allow time for the curious gift shop. It carries exclusive distillery bottle editions, local fine foods, and unusual gifts.

The special bottle editions are likely to appeal most to people who collect spirits or want a souvenir that connects directly to the distillery. The local foods make the shop more useful for a wider range of visitors, including anyone who does not want to carry home another bottle.

The Jackalope Café is another practical advantage. You can stop for homemade food and drinks on site, which means the tour can fit into a longer outing rather than being a quick drink in the middle of nowhere.

The supplied details do not give café opening hours, menu items, or prices. Check those before relying on it for a meal. If you have a firm schedule, confirm whether your booked tour lasts one hour or closer to two, then leave enough time for food and shopping.

I like having these extras in the same place because they make the visit easier to plan. You can turn the distillery into a fuller stop, but you are not forced to buy anything beyond the tour.

What the $26 price includes

At $26 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a guided distillery visit with two alcoholic tastings. The package includes the guided experience, the Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey tasting, and the Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and tonic at the Honey Badger Bar.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise pay separately for a distillery tour and a cocktail. You also receive the setting of the Botanical Glasshouse and the attention of a live guide, rather than a self-guided walk through a shop.

The price may feel less attractive if you want a long tasting session with many pours. This is not presented as an extensive whiskey or gin masterclass. It is a compact experience that combines production, explanation, and two contrasting drinks.

At $26, I would see it as good value for couples, small groups, and anyone already planning to visit Drumshanbo. It is also a practical choice for a day focused on local food and drink. If you are making a long detour solely for a single short tasting, check the exact duration and consider adding the café or gift shop to the plan.

Who will enjoy this visit most

You will probably like this tour if you enjoy seeing how spirits are made, prefer a guided experience to a self-guided display, or want to compare Irish whiskey with gin. The two tastings keep the visit varied.

It also suits people who want a relaxed stop with more than one activity. You can tour the distillery, have a whiskey tasting, enjoy a gin and tonic, browse the shop, and possibly eat at the Jackalope Café.

Gin fans should appreciate the Gunpowder Irish Gin finale, while whiskey drinkers get a dedicated tasting before it. If your group has mixed tastes, that balance is useful.

The tour may not suit you if you want a large selection of spirits, a long technical lecture, or a full cocktail class. The provided details promise one whiskey tasting and one gin and tonic, not a broad flight or hands-on workshop.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, which removes one common concern for visitors choosing a distillery stop. Since the tour is in English, anyone needing another language should ask about arrangements before booking. One visit included German translation, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed service for every departure.

Planning your visit to County Leitrim

The starting point is The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo. You should check the available departure times before building the rest of your day around it.

The duration needs special attention. The activity details describe one hour, but the itinerary section refers to two hours and includes shopping and the whiskey tasting. That may reflect different ways of counting the visit, but the difference is large enough to matter.

If you plan to eat at the Jackalope Café, shop for a bottle, or linger at the Honey Badger Bar, allow extra time beyond the shortest advertised duration. You will have a more relaxed visit and will not need to leave immediately after the gin and tonic.

The tour includes a live guide and is offered in English. It is wheelchair accessible. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful when your County Leitrim plans are still shifting.

My take on The Curious Journey

I like the way this experience links production, tasting, and place. The whiskey tasting gives the visit a wider focus than gin alone, while the Gin and tonic in the Botanical Glasshouse provides a memorable finish.

The strongest points are the authentic working distillery, the two different drinks, and the Honey Badger Bar setting. The main limitation is that the published duration is not fully consistent, and the tasting selection is modest if you are seeking a serious spirits seminar.

Book it if you are interested in Irish spirits and want a well-rounded stop in Drumshanbo. It is especially worthwhile when you can stay for the café and shop. If you want only a large whiskey flight or a highly technical production class, this may feel too light. For most visitors, though, $26 buys a pleasant, focused introduction to The Shed Distillery and its two signature styles.

FAQ

Where does The Curious Journey Distillery Tour take place?

The tour begins at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, Ireland.

What is the price of the tour?

The listed price is $26 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The activity details state a duration of one hour, while the itinerary describes a two-hour stop. Check the available departure details when booking.

What tastings are included?

The experience includes an expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Irish Whiskey and a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and tonic.

Where is the gin and tonic served?

The gin and tonic is served at the Honey Badger Bar in the Botanical Glasshouse.

Is the distillery operational?

Yes. The experience takes place at a fully operational, authentic distillery.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The reserve now and pay later option lets you book your place without paying immediately.