Roe & Co Distillery Experiences

Roe & Co turns whiskey tasting into a hands-on lesson rather than a quick pour and a polite nod. Inside the former Guinness Power Station, you’ll learn about flavor, build a whiskey cocktail, and finish with a drink in the striking Power House Bar.

I like the small groups, capped at four, and the practical format. You are not just told how whiskey works. You sample, smell, mix, and make decisions. The location in Dublin 8 is also useful, since it sits close to other distilleries and the Guinness attraction.

The main thing to consider is that this is more about cocktail making and flavor than a long production tour. The session lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and some people find the actual mixing portion brief, even though it is well explained.

Key points to know before booking

• Former Guinness Power Station: Roe & Co occupies an unusual industrial building in Dublin’s Liberties, close to several major whiskey and beer attractions.
• Two workshop choices: Pick the Blending experience to make a Whiskey Old Fashioned, or choose Flavors to explore aromas, tastes, and your personal profile.
• Very small group size: The official maximum is four people, which gives you a better chance to ask questions and get hands-on help.
• More than a whiskey tasting: You may sample three whiskeys, create your own blend, make one cocktail, and receive another drink at the bar.
• Strong guide-led format: Guides including Andrew, Tim, Isaac, and others bring humor and clear instruction to the workshop.
• Adults only: Everyone must be at least 18 and show valid age identification.

What makes Roe & Co different in Dublin

Dublin has no shortage of whiskey stops. Jameson is the best-known name, and other distilleries sit close by in the Liberties. Roe & Co offers a different kind of visit, centered on taste and drink making inside a former power station.

The building gives the session much of its character. You are not walking through a restored country manor or a traditional warehouse. You are entering the old Guinness Power Station, an industrial setting that has been given a modern, stylish use. The Power House Bar provides the final setting, with a strong visual identity and a clear connection to the drink in your hand.

The distillery also carries the name of George Roe, one of Irish whiskey’s major historic figures. The original Roe and Co Distillery closed decades ago, but the name has been brought back for a new generation of whiskey drinkers. That gives the visit a useful link between Dublin’s old distilling trade and its current drinks culture.

I especially like this balance. You get some history, but the session does not turn into a lecture. The focus stays on how whiskey tastes and how small changes affect a cocktail.

Choosing between the Blending and Flavors workshops

Your choice matters, since the two formats offer different kinds of participation.

The Blending experience is the better pick if you want to make something with your hands. The workshop takes you into Room 106, where you learn about the blend and work toward a Whiskey Old Fashioned. The process is more detailed than simply pouring whiskey over ice. You learn how to use the ingredients, how to handle the ice, and how the parts of the drink work together.

A large square ice cube may be used in the drink, and the instructions cover the proper method for making an Old Fashioned. The finished cocktail is yours to enjoy, though the session is about technique as much as drinking. This option suits anyone who likes classic cocktails or wants a clear activity rather than a standard tasting.

The Flavors experience takes a more sensory route. You explore five pillars of flavor and use aromas and tastes to work out which style suits you. This format may appeal more if you like comparing smells and flavors, or if you are still figuring out what kind of whiskey you enjoy.

I would choose Blending for a first visit if you want the most obvious hands-on activity. Choose Flavors if your main interest is understanding your palate. Both options connect the tasting to a larger idea: whiskey is not just about age or strength. It is about how aroma, sweetness, spice, fruit, and other flavor notes come together.

The small-group format is the real advantage

A group of up to four changes the mood. You can ask questions without having to speak over a crowd, and the instructor can watch how each person is handling the tasting or cocktail work.

That personal attention is particularly useful during the blending session. You may want to ask why one whiskey tastes sharper, how an Old Fashioned should be balanced, or why a particular aroma appears in the glass. With a large group, those questions can get lost. Here, they fit naturally into the class.

The guides are an important part of the visit. Andrew is praised for making the cocktail lesson both informative and engaging. Tim leads a fun Blending session, and Isaac is noted for handling the sensory format well. Other feedback highlights guides who are funny, friendly, and willing to explain the process.

The guide style can vary, of course. One session may feel relaxed and chatty, while another may move at a quicker pace. One person found the presentation rushed but still worthwhile. That is a fair warning if you prefer a slow, highly detailed tasting.

Still, the group size gives the instructor room to adjust. I would value that more than a longer talk delivered to a packed room.

What happens during the whiskey tasting

The visit is built around flavor rather than a full tour of every working part of a distillery. You can expect an introduction to Roe & Co, some background on Irish whiskey, and a guided look at the blend’s character.

Some sessions include a tasting of three whiskeys. This gives you a chance to compare the samples before making your drink or deciding which flavors suit you. The point is not simply to identify the oldest or strongest whiskey. You are learning to notice how each one behaves in a mixed drink.

The sensory work can include different aromas and tastes. This is where the Flavors option earns its place. You are encouraged to think about what you actually enjoy instead of relying on whiskey jargon. That makes the lesson friendly for beginners, while still giving experienced drinkers something to assess.

Do not expect a long tasting flight with many rare bottles. The strength is the guided explanation and what you do with the information afterward. The tasting leads to a cocktail, and the cocktail makes the lesson practical.

One unusual detail is that the 14-year whiskey used in one session was not available for purchase, even though it could be tasted on site. If you find a particular pour especially appealing, ask about availability before assuming you can take a bottle home.

Making the Whiskey Old Fashioned

The cocktail section is the heart of the Blending option. You make one drink and learn the correct way to build an Old Fashioned, including the role of the whiskey, the ice, and the other ingredients.

This is not a full bartending course. The cocktail making itself may take less time than you expect, and one session was described as short. But the instruction is still useful because it explains why the method matters. A poorly balanced Old Fashioned can taste harsh or flat. The right proportions and dilution can make the whiskey far easier to appreciate.

The large square ice cube is a small but memorable touch. It melts more slowly than ordinary small ice, so it chills the drink without watering it down as quickly. You also get a chance to create your own blend, which makes the drink feel personal rather than simply served to you.

I like that the class does not treat whiskey as a precious object that must be sipped in silence. You are shown how to enjoy it in a classic drink. That is practical knowledge you can carry home, even if you never buy Roe & Co again.

Some participants also receive or purchase a whiskey flight, but the supplied details do not establish that this is included in every booking. Read the exact option details before assuming extra samples or add-ons are part of your package.

The final drink at the Power House Bar

After the workshop, you head to the Power House Bar for a signature serve. This second drink is part of what makes the visit feel complete. You have made one cocktail yourself, then get to relax while the bar prepares another.

A clarified grapefruit cocktail has been particularly well received. Clarification gives a drink a clear appearance while keeping much of its flavor, so it can look clean and light while still tasting distinctive. That drink is a good example of how Roe & Co moves beyond basic whiskey neat or whiskey with cola.

The bar also gives you time to enjoy the setting. The building is hip and modern, but the old power station structure keeps it from feeling like a generic cocktail lounge. If you have spent the afternoon walking around Dublin, this final drink provides a natural pause.

The tasting and bar portion may feel like the best part for some people. Others will prefer the hands-on class. Either way, the two-drink structure gives the 75-minute visit a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Location in Dublin’s Liberties

Roe & Co is in the Liberties, a part of Dublin with strong connections to brewing and distilling. The location makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions, but you should avoid trying to cram too much into the same hour.

The Guinness attraction and Pearse Lyons Distillery are both close enough to create a full drinks-focused day. One practical plan is to visit Guinness earlier, take a break, then book Roe & Co. You could also add Pearse Lyons if the timing works.

I would leave breathing room between bookings. The Roe & Co visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but walking, checking in, and moving between sites can take longer than expected. The Liberties is easy to reach by public transportation, and the location keeps this activity convenient if you are already exploring Dublin 8.

The building itself is part of the reason to come. If you only want a glass of whiskey, a Dublin pub may be simpler and cheaper. If you want a drink plus a sense of place, a guide, and a practical lesson, the power station setting adds real value.

Is the $33.86 price fair?

At $33.86 per person, Roe & Co sits above the price of an ordinary whiskey pour but below the cost of a long, elaborate food and drink class. The value depends on what you want from the visit.

You are paying for a guided workshop, a tasting, a cocktail you make yourself, and a signature drink at the bar. The small group is important here. A similar activity with 20 or 30 people would feel less personal, while the four-person limit gives the price more weight.

The strongest value comes from the Blending option. You learn a repeatable cocktail method, compare whiskey flavors, and receive a second drink. If you only want to sample whiskey, you may find the price less compelling. The Flavors option has more value for people who like sensory tasting and want help identifying their preferred style.

I would call the price fair for a short, polished Dublin activity, especially if you enjoy cocktails. It is not the best choice for someone looking for a full production tour with extended time in working distillery areas.

Who should book this experience

Roe & Co works best for adults who enjoy whiskey, classic cocktails, or well-organized tastings. Beginners should feel comfortable here because you do not need to arrive with a vocabulary of tasting terms. The instructor guides you through the process.

It is also a good choice for couples or small groups who want something more active than a bar visit. The small format gives everyone a chance to take part, and the final drink creates a relaxed ending.

I would recommend it to:

• First-time whiskey drinkers who want a clear introduction
• Cocktail fans interested in learning the Old Fashioned
• Couples seeking a short indoor activity in Dublin
• Visitors building a Liberties itinerary around Guinness and distilleries
• Experienced whiskey drinkers who enjoy comparing flavors and blends

I would think twice if you want a long, traditional distillery tour, a large tasting flight, or a visit focused mainly on whiskey production equipment. This activity is about flavor, mixing, and atmosphere.

Age rules, timing, and cancellation

This is strictly for people aged 18 and over. You need valid age identification, even if you look well over the minimum age.

The experience is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Most people book around 18 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if the time matters to your Dublin plan.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted. One practical caution: take your confirmation with you and check that the booking has been received. A booking problem once caused confusion at check-in, although the distillery made room for the party.

Should you book Roe & Co?

I would book Roe & Co if you want a personal, cocktail-focused whiskey visit in Dublin. The four-person limit, practical instruction, unusual power station setting, and drink at the Power House Bar make it more engaging than a basic tasting.

Choose Blending if you want to make an Old Fashioned and build your own combination. Choose Flavors if you prefer aromas, tasting, and finding your personal whiskey style.

Skip it if your priority is a long production tour or a large selection of rare pours. For everyone else, especially anyone already planning time in the Liberties, Roe & Co offers a compact and useful introduction to Irish whiskey without taking over your whole day.

FAQ

Where is Roe & Co Distillery located?

Roe & Co Distillery is in Dublin’s Liberties district, in Dublin 8. It is located inside a former Guinness Power Station and is near public transportation.

How long does the Roe & Co experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $33.86 per person.

What workshop options are available?

You can choose the Blending experience or the Flavors experience. Blending focuses on creating a whiskey cocktail and building a Whiskey Old Fashioned. Flavors explores five pillars of flavor to help identify your preferred taste profile.

Is the tour suitable for anyone under 18?

No. This is a strictly over-18 experience, and valid age identification is required.

How many people can join the group?

The official maximum is four participants.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What drinks are included?

The program includes a cocktail-making element and a signature serve in the Power House Bar. Some sessions include a tasting of three whiskeys. Check the exact booking option for the precise inclusions.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

What happens if bad weather cancels the experience?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.