One session, two big cravings handled. This Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass at Stillgarden Distillery pairs a hosted gin tasting with classic-style tea treats, all in the same smooth 90-minute block. I especially like the onsite angle: you’re tasting Stillgarden gins made from their own range, not sample bottles pulled in from somewhere else. I also like that you don’t just drink and leave—there’s a walkthrough of distillation, plus a Q&A with Stillgarden’s Liquid Experts at the end.

The one thing to think about is that it’s not for under-18s, so it’s strictly for adults, and the tasting component is central to the experience (even though non-gin and non-alcohol options are available if you tell them ahead of time).

What makes it worth your time

I like that the format is built to move at an easy pace: welcome drink first, then a 4-gin flight, then afternoon tea with sandwiches and sweet cakes. You still get structure—history of distillation and a look at their wall of 120 botanicals—so the tasting feels grounded, not random.

If you’re the sort of person who hates waiting around, this is a good fit because the whole session is set to 1.5 hours. Check availability for the starting time that works for your day.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Stillgarden’s signature gins, tasted in a guided flight (4 in total)
• Hosted by Stillgarden Liquid Experts, including a Q&A to wrap up
• A stop at the wall of 120 botanicals, plus context on distillation history
• Afternoon tea included, with sandwiches and decadent cakes
• Non-gin and non-alcohol options, available if you request in advance
• Rain-or-shine format, so you’re not stuck hunting for a backup plan

Stillgarden Distillery: where the gin tasting feels grounded

Stillgarden Distillery sets the tone fast. You’re not doing an abstract tasting in a hotel room; you’re at the source, with a modern Irish gin operation and the staff who explain it. That matters because a good gin tasting is partly about flavor, but it’s also about understanding what’s being built in the glass.

You’ll get a walkthrough that includes the history of distillation and time focused on their wall of 120 botanicals. Even if you’re new to gin, that’s helpful context. It turns the tasting from a guessing game into something you can follow—like spotting what might be influencing aroma and taste as you move through the flight.

It also keeps things practical. When someone guides you through botanicals and process, you’re less likely to feel lost when you get your first pour.

The 90-minute flow: welcome drink, 4-gin flight, afternoon tea

This experience runs for about 1.5 hours, so it’s long enough to feel like a real activity, but short enough to keep your Dublin day flexible. The ticket is designed as a complete package: a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes.

Here’s the basic rhythm:

First, you start with the welcome drink. That gives you something in your hand while the host sets expectations and gets everyone oriented. Then the tasting flight follows: four signature gins, served as a guided comparison so you can actually notice differences rather than sampling randomly.

After the tastings, you move into the food. Afternoon tea in this setup includes a selection of cakes and sandwiches, described as luscious and decadent. The big advantage is that you’re not eating light snacks between sips. You’re given proper afternoon-tea portions, which helps keep the flavors enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

Then the session ends with a Q&A with one of Stillgarden’s Liquid Experts. That final question time is where the experience becomes more than just drinking and eating—you get clarification, tips, and explanations in plain language.

The wall of 120 botanicals: why that detail matters

One of the most useful parts of this masterclass is the stop that focuses on their wall of 120 botanicals. If you’ve ever wondered why gin tastes so different from bottle to bottle, botanicals are the answer. Different botanicals, different ratios, different processing choices—those are the building blocks.

I like that they don’t just toss out big claims. You’re actually shown the range that goes into their work. Even without technical jargon, seeing that wall helps you make sense of what you’re smelling and tasting. Instead of hearing gin described like a mystery, you can connect the explanation to what lands on your palate.

The other included element is the history of distillation. This doesn’t have to be a lecture to add value. Distillation is the backbone of spirits, and a quick guided run-through can give you a clearer mental model for why the process affects aroma and flavor.

This kind of context is especially helpful if you’re buying gin later. You’ll be more confident ordering something at a bar because you’ll have a better sense of what style characteristics you like.

The tasting flight: how to make the most of 4 signature gins

The ticket includes a 4-gin tasting flight, and that number is smart. Four is enough variety to notice patterns, but it doesn’t turn into a marathon.

Since the tasting is guided, you’ll get support while you sample. Use that to your advantage. Take a moment between pours to think about what changes:

• Does one gin feel more citrusy or floral?
• Does another lean more herbal or spiced?
• Do sweetness and spice seem to show up at different points in the sip?

Even if your brain wants to skip straight to dessert, don’t. Save your first full judgments until you’ve had all four. That’s usually when your palate starts sorting categories more clearly.

Also, remember you’re not only tasting gin—you’re also tasting the idea behind it. The hosts tie the tasting back to botanicals and distillation, so you can connect what you taste to what you were shown.

Afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes: the smart pairing

Afternoon tea isn’t just a nice add-on here. It changes how the tasting feels.

Gin can be intense—juniper-forward, herbal, and sometimes sharp. If you only drink alcohol and nibble lightly, it’s easy for flavors to blur. With this masterclass, you get afternoon tea with sandwiches and decadent cakes, which helps ground the experience. The food gives you something substantial to reset your palate between sips.

It’s also a value signal. You’re paying for more than a drink flight. You’re paying for a hosted food-and-drink pairing where the timing is planned: tasting first, tea after. That’s often the difference between a fun stop and one where you feel rushed or left hungry.

If you’re choosing this as a couples activity, this pairing is a big plus. It’s not only about tasting alcohol. It’s also about sitting down, eating, and chatting in a guided setting.

Non-gin and non-alcohol options: ask early, enjoy fully

Stillgarden notes that non gin and non acholic options are available, but you need to let them know beforehand. I recommend doing that as soon as you book.

This matters because the experience is built around a tasting sequence. If you’re swapping drinks, you want the pacing to still work for you—same general timeline, just different pours. Requesting options early helps the team plan the session so you’re not stuck waiting or offered something that doesn’t match the flight structure.

It’s also a good sign for mixed groups. If one person wants to sip gin and another prefers something non-alcoholic, you still get the same hosted explanation and the same Q&A.

Hosted by Stillgarden’s Liquid Experts: the part that turns it into a class

The listing is clear that the event is fully hosted, and it ends with a Q&A from a liquid expert. That’s what makes this more than a tasting stop.

A good host can do two things at once: answer questions and keep the pace comfortable. Here, you get both the guiding explanation (botanicals and distillation) and time for you to ask follow-ups at the end. If you’re the type who wants to learn how flavors are built, that Q&A time is where you can get straight answers.

It’s also where you can ask practical questions like what to buy afterward or how to recognize certain flavor notes. I like experiences that treat learning as part of the fun, not a chore.

Price and value: why $74 feels fair for this package

At $74 per person, this isn’t a cheap drink-only activity. But it’s not priced like a basic tasting either.

For that price, you get:

• A welcome drink
• A guided 4 gin tasting flight
• Afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes
• A hosted walkthrough that includes the distillation story and the wall of 120 botanicals
• A wrap-up Q&A

So you’re paying for both the drink experience and the food component, plus expert guidance for the full 90 minutes. If you tried to recreate this on your own—buying gin samples plus afternoon tea plus a knowledgeable guide—you’d likely end up spending more and losing the structure.

If you’re planning a Dublin itinerary, this also packs a lot into one block. It’s easier to schedule than juggling tastings in one place and tea in another.

Who should book this masterclass

I’d point you toward this experience if you want a grown-up Dublin activity that mixes learning, tasting, and proper food. It works well for:

• Couples who want a date idea that’s more interesting than the usual pub stop
• People who like guided tastings and want context for what they’re drinking
• Groups where some are gin fans and others need non-gin or non-alcohol options (request them ahead of time)

Because it’s not suitable for children under 18, it’s also a better fit for adult travel, anniversaries, and friend get-togethers where everyone’s opting in to the tasting experience.

Quick practical tips so you enjoy the full session

A few things will help you get the most out of the 90 minutes:

• Plan to arrive a bit early so you’re not rushing when the welcome drink begins.
• If you’re requesting non-gin or non-alcohol options, communicate that beforehand.
• Pace yourself during the flight. Save your dessert enthusiasm for after the tastings, when the sandwiches and cakes can shine.
• Bring questions for the Q&A. If you’ve tasted something you liked, ask what likely influenced it.

This is also rain-or-shine, so don’t treat it like a weather-dependent side quest.

Should you book Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass at Stillgarden?

I think it’s a strong pick if you want a hosted, structured experience that combines 4 signature gin tastings with a real afternoon-tea meal. The blend is the selling point: you get tasting education (botanicals and distillation), then you get fed, then you finish with a Q&A.

Book it if:

• You like gin but want real context, not just sips
• You want a food-forward activity, not a quick bar stop
• You’re traveling with adults who enjoy a guided format

Skip it if:

• You’re looking for a purely non-alcohol experience and haven’t confirmed non-alcohol options
• You want something shorter and simpler than 1.5 hours

With an overall rating of 4.2 from 5 reviews and an all-positive review snippet, the odds are good that you’ll come away feeling you got your money’s worth for a fun Dublin afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass?

The experience lasts about 1.5 hours (90 minutes).

What’s included with the ticket?

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes.

How many gins will I taste?

You’ll sample four of Stillgarden’s signature gins as part of the guided tasting flight.

Is the class hosted by staff?

Yes. The experience is hosted by Stillgarden’s Liquid Experts, and it ends with a Q&A.

Are non-gin and non-alcohol options available?

Yes. Non gin and non acholic options are available if you let them know beforehand.

Is this experience for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18 years.

Will the session run in bad weather?

Yes. This tour takes place rain or shine.

What language is the live guide?

The live tour guide provides the experience in English.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

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

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.