9 Dublin Whiskey Tours Worth Tackling This Weekend (Distilleries + Pub Tours)

If you read our guide to the best whiskey distilleries in Ireland, you’ll probably recognise some of the Dublin distilleries mentioned below.

Ireland’s capital is home to several brilliant whiskey distilleries that have racked up excellent reviews online from both whiskey connoisseurs and novices.

The majority of Dublin’s Whiskey tours take you into a working distillery while some, like the Irish whiskey museum, take you on a unique and memorable whiskey tour.

In the guide below, you’ll find everything from the newer Dublin whiskey distilleries, like Roe & Co to the older spots, like the Jameson Distillery on Bow St.

Some quick need-to-knows before booking/deciding onto any Dublin whiskey tours

So, booking a tour is usually fairly straightforward, but I can’t begin to tell you the amount of times we’ve heard of someone booking onto one of the Dublin whiskey tours, only to be disappointed.

The below points may seem obvious, but they’re worth being aware of before you make a booking (especially point 1).

1. Whiskey tours vs distillery tours

This may sound obvious, but there’s often a big difference between visiting a Dublin whiskey distillery and taking one of the many Dublin whiskey tours. When you visit a distillery, you’re generally doing the guided tour. On many (not all) organised whiskey tours, you’re taken around pubs in Dublin by a guide.

2. Read the Ts&Cs carefully

Regardless of whether you’re doing a tour of the city’s top whiskey bars or you’re taking a Dublin distillery tour, make sure to read what’s included. On some, you’ll just get the guided tour, with no tasters included (this is rare, but it happens). With others, you’ll get samples included as part of the tour.

3. Time of day can have a big impact on experience

If you’re taking one of the Dublin whiskey tours, it can be easy to aim for the latest slot so that you can follow up the tour with a night in one of the many pubs in Dublin. The only problem with this is that the pubs visited on these tours are also busier (unless they’re held in a dedicated room). If possible, aim for late afternoon, as places tend to be quieter.

The best Dublin whiskey distillery tours

The first section takes a look at the various Dublin whiskey distillery tours on offer in the capital. And, thanks to a resurgence in distilling, there’s plenty to choose from.

Note: if you book a tour through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Pearse Lyons Distillery

The Pearse Lyons Distillery is arguably one of the most unique whiskey distilleries in Dublin, as you can see from the photos above.

It was founded by the late Pearse Lyons and the distillery is housed within the walls of an old church (the stained glass windows above should give you a sense of what to expect!).

Those that visit the Pears Lyons distillery on James St. can choose from different tours (including a VIP tour if you’re feeling fancy!).

Check prices + book a tour here

2. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery

The Teelings Distillery was, interestingly enough, the first whiskey distillery in Dublin to be built in 125 when it launched a few years back.

You’ll find it finely plonked in what’s known as Dublin’s ‘Golden Triangle’, which was once a historic distilling district at the heart of the city.

The Teeling’s distillery opened its doors to the public in 2015 and has since played a key part in Dublin’s vibrant whiskey revival.

Those that visit Teelings can join a tour and discover the history behind Walter Teeling’s original craft distillery (it was located on Marrowbone Lane).

Check prices + book a tour here

3. Jameson Distillery Bow St.

Although Jameson moved the bulk of their operations down to Midleton in Cork in the late 1900s, the distillery on Bow St. is still open to locals and tourists alike.

This is the most visited of the many Dublin whiskey tours and its set inside the building that was opened by John Jameson way back in the late 1700s.

If you fancy nipping in here, the tours contain whiskey tasting (of course), some storytelling and a complimentary drink at the very swanky JJ’s Bar.

This is regarded as the best distillery tour Dublin has to offer by many visiting tourists, as you’ll discover if you read the reviews.

Check prices + book a tour here

4. The Dublin Liberties Distillery

The Dublin Liberties Distillery is set in a modern, state-of-the-art distillery on Mill St., where it’s home to one of the lesser-known Dublin whiskey tours.

I’ve been hearing great things about this place for a while now. The visitor experience is said to be immersive and the guides, by all accounts, are excellent.

If you head off on the tour of this Dublin distillery, you’ll discover the history of Dublin’s Liberties district and you’ll get an insight into the distilling process that takes place.

There’s also a cocktail bar on-site where you can round off your visit with a tipple that’ll tantalise the tastebuds.

Related read: Check out our guide to the most popular Irish drinks (from Irish stout and whiskey to Irish beers and plenty more).

5. Roe & Co Distillery

Diageo’s Roe & Co Distillery is the newest distillery in Dublin, and you’ll find it a stone’s throw from the Guinness Storehouse. I had a drink here at the end of last year, and the place is insanely well kitted out.

Everything from the toilet to the seats at the bar feel plush, although the building has retained a nice rustic feel to it.

Those that visit can hear the story of George Roe (the legendary 19th-century whiskey pioneer) and dive into the golden era of Irish whiskey.

Related read: Check out our guide to 33 of the best things to do in Dublin at any time of the year (hikes, museums, coastal walks and more)

Guided Dublin whiskey tours worth trying

The second section of our guide takes a look at the various Dublin whiskey tours that don’t take you into a distillery.

Below, you’ll find everything from the Irish Whiskey Museum and the Whiskey Tasting Tour to much, much more.

1. Whiskey Tasting Tour of Dublin

This 2-hour tour takes your tastebuds on a food and drink adventure to Bowes (they do the best Guinness in Dublin) and the very beautiful and very old Palace Bar.

The tour is led by an expertly trained whiskey guide and you’ll sample 5 Irish whiskies along with cheeses, Irish bread and chocolate.

Check prices + learn more here

2. The Irish Whiskey Museum

I visited the Irish Whiskey Museum a couple of years ago as a going-away present for a friend. If you, like me, wouldn’t be the biggest fan of whiskey, the tour at the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin is a good way to ease yourself into it.

You’ll learn about the history of the drink from a very energetic guide, and you’ll get to sample a number of different whiskies, which helps you get a gauge of what you like and what you don’t.

The one thing that this Dublin whiskey tour confirmed for me is that you’d have to beat me to get me to take a sip of peaty whiskey ever again.

Check prices + learn more here

3. The Dublin Whiskey Experience

Next up is The Dublin Whiskey Experience. Led by an expert guide with 20-years experience in the hospitality sector, this tour packs a punch, going off reviews online.

The tour is €70 p/p and takes you around the city, trying different whiskies while taking in the history of whiskey in Dublin. 

Dublin whiskey tours: Which ones have we missed?

There are heaps of different whiskey distilleries in Dublin that you can drop into for a nosey around and a drink. I’ve no doubt that we may have unintentionally missed some great ones in the guide above.

If you’ve been on any Dublin whiskey tours recently that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below.

What is the best whiskey tour Dublin has to offer?

Personally, I think the Jameson Distillery Bow St, Roe & Co Distillery, Teeling Whiskey Distillery and the Pearse Lyons Distillery are the best Dublin whiskey tours.

What Dublin distillery tour is the best?

It’s widely regarded that the Jameson Distillery tour is the best. However, Teeling and Pearse Lyons both pack a punch, too.