Afternoon Tea & Gin Masterclass

Gin and tea, in one tidy 90 minutes. Stillgarden Distillery’s Afternoon Tea and Gin Tasting Masterclass pairs a hosted gin session with sandwiches, cakes, and a proper Q&A. It is set up for people who want to understand modern Irish gin, not just sip it and move on.

I love that you taste four signature gins during a focused flight, plus you learn what is driving the flavor through the history of distillation and their wall of 120 botanicals. I also like that it is fully hosted, so you are not stuck guessing what to taste or how to describe what you are experiencing. One thing to consider: it is not suitable for children under 18, and the whole experience is built around gin tasting, even though non-gin options are available if you tell them ahead of time.

Key points to know before you go

• Stillgarden gins are made on site, so the tasting comes with real context.
• 4 gin flights plus a welcome drink are included, along with afternoon tea.
• You’ll see the wall of 120 botanicals, a hands-on way to understand flavor building.
• The session ends with a Q&A from a Stillgarden liquid expert, which is great for follow-up questions.
• Non-gin and non-alcohol options exist, just request them in advance.

Stillgarden Distillery: a modern Irish gin setting with structure

This experience takes place at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin County, and it feels designed for first-time tasters and serious gin fans alike. The big win is that the tasting is anchored to what is happening onsite, not generic gin talk. You are there to understand the range of beautifully crafted modern Irish gins, and the format keeps moving so you stay engaged.

The masterclass is not just about sipping. You also get a walkthrough that includes the history of distillation and a tour of the distillery’s botanical approach, highlighted by their wall of 120 botanicals. That matters because it turns a tasting into something you can actually remember and repeat later, like what family of flavors you tend to like and why a certain gin profile works.

If you like guided experiences that feel relaxed, you are likely to enjoy this. You get hosting throughout, so there is less pressure on you to figure out the process. The one drawback is that because it is a tasting plus tea, it is not built for people who want a long, wandering tour of everything in the distillery. This is a tight 90-minute session, and it follows a clear flow.

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

Think of this as a well-paced sampler with two “courses”: gin tasting first, then afternoon tea. The duration is listed as 90 minutes, and the sessions run at set times, so it is smart to check availability when you plan your day.

You start with a welcome drink. Then comes the main event: a tasting flight of 4 signature gins. Instead of drinking randomly, you taste in an intentional sequence, which makes it easier to pick up differences between juniper-forward styles and gins shaped by other botanicals. If you ever feel overwhelmed at gin bars, this structure helps you relax because you know what you are doing next.

After the tasting, you shift into afternoon tea. You get a selection of sandwiches and sweet treats, plus decadent cakes. This pairing is a practical benefit. Gin can be sharp or aromatic, and tea food gives you something to rebalance your palate. It also turns the whole experience from a classroom exercise into a proper meal-time event, which is a big part of the appeal for many people.

Finally, the session closes with a Q&A led by one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts. That is where questions about flavor, botanicals, or what you might like next actually pay off, because you can connect what you tasted to real explanations.

The masterclass part: distillation basics and the 120-botanical wall

The heart of the experience is the educational piece, and it is kept readable and relevant. You get a tour through how distillation shaped spirit-making and how that knowledge connects to modern Irish gin. The goal is simple: you should leave able to talk about gin beyond just “I liked it” or “it was strong.”

Then you hit the standout visual: the wall of 120 botanicals. That is a powerful way to understand gin as more than one flavor. Botanicals are where the personality of each gin comes from, from citrus notes to herbal lift, to deeper spice or floral touches depending on the recipe.

Even if you are new to gin, you can follow the logic. You taste four gins, then you connect those tastes to what you learned about botanicals and distillation. This is the part that makes the experience feel like more than a tasting, because it gives you mental hooks for future pours.

One practical tip for getting value here is to slow down your notes while you are sipping. If you try to write full sentences you will miss the conversation. Instead, aim for quick tags like citrus, spice, floral, or earthy so your Q&A questions become specific. For example, you can ask why one gin tastes brighter and another feels heavier, and the expert can point back to botanical choices.

Afternoon tea with sandwiches and decadent cakes

The tea portion is not an afterthought. It is built into the ticket as a full set of food, with both savory and sweet options. You will have sandwiches plus decadent cakes and other sweet treats. That balance is ideal because gin tasting can push your palate toward either sharpness or aroma, and the food helps steady things.

This is also a real value factor. Afternoon tea at a high-quality venue is often priced like an experience on its own. Here, it comes bundled with a guided gin tasting flight and a welcome drink. So you are not just paying for spirits, you are paying for a full time-block where you actually eat.

If you have dietary needs, the info you have right now does not list specific allergens or accommodations. What you can do is tell the operator about your situation in advance, and especially if you are requesting non-gin or non-alcohol options, that needs to be handled ahead of time so they can plan the substitutes.

Another small practical thought: tea is served after the tasting, which is usually easier on your appetite. You avoid the problem of trying to eat in the middle of tasting moments, and you can relax once you are onto the afternoon tea course.

Non-gin and non-alcohol options, if you ask ahead

One of the best practical features is that there are non-gin and non-alcohol options available, as long as you let them know beforehand. This is important, because it signals the experience is designed to include people who do not want to drink gin, or who cannot.

That also helps if you are traveling with friends with different tolerance levels. You can all enjoy the same masterclass flow, tasting flight structure, and afternoon tea meal, without someone feeling left out.

The key is timing. Since the information specifically asks you to notify them in advance, do that when you book. It is the difference between getting a thoughtful substitute versus getting stuck with nothing that fits your needs.

What the Q&A is really for

The Q&A at the end is more than a nice touch. It is where you can turn tasting impressions into real understanding. You are told the session ends with a Q&A from one of Stillgarden’s liquid experts. That means your questions are being answered by someone who works with the brand and knows what to focus on.

Use this time to ask targeted things like:

• Which botanicals are most responsible for the flavor you liked most
• Why two gins can share similar aromas but finish differently
• What kind of gin profile you might enjoy if you liked the middle of the flight

You do not need to be an expert to ask. If you can describe what you tasted with simple language, the expert can usually translate that into a clear explanation. And since the flight already happened, you are asking about something fresh in your memory.

This part is also useful if you are deciding whether to buy a bottle afterward, because you can match what you tasted to a more personal preference. The session is designed so the experience ends with clarity, not just a schedule check-mark.

Price and value: is $74 per person worth it?

At $74 per person, you are paying for a bundle: a welcome drink, a flight of 4 signature gins, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. You are also paying for guided hosting, the distillery walkthrough, and the Q&A with a liquid expert.

When you look at it as a time-based package, the value makes sense. This is not a quick tasting at a bar where you only get a small pour and then move on. You get a structured experience that runs 90 minutes, and you eat. That combination is what usually drives up the cost when you do these things separately.

Is it expensive? Compared with casual tastings, yes. But compared with paying for afternoon tea plus a guided spirit session, it reads more balanced. Especially for people who want something more meaningful than a simple drink ticket.

The main value question is what you want from the afternoon. If you are purely looking for tea and do not care about gin, ask about non-gin options in advance and make sure the experience still fits your goals. If you enjoy learning while you sip, this price feels easier to justify.

Who should book this masterclass

This is a good match if you want:

• a guided way to taste modern Irish gin
• a structured, 90-minute plan that includes food
• a mix of education and a relaxed meal setting
• an option for non-gin or non-alcohol tasting if you request it ahead of time

It is also a strong choice for groups who want a shared experience with a clear agenda. And because the experience is hosted and ends with a Q&A, you are not left alone with a menu of bottles and guesswork.

Skip it if you are looking for a long, free-form distillery tour. This ticket is built around tasting and tea, not an open-ended wander. Also, because it is not suitable for children under 18, it is best for adults only.

Practical planning tips for a smooth afternoon

The experience runs rain or shine, so plan clothing as if you might be moving outside briefly, or at least walking to and from the distillery. Sessions also have set start times, and the duration is listed as 1.5 hours, so give yourself a little buffer before and after.

Since it is a tasting flight plus food, pace yourself. You have four gins to taste and a welcome drink at the start, then you still eat afternoon tea. If you tend to get overwhelmed with strong aromas, take small sips and let the food help reset your palate.

Also, bring curiosity. The botanicals wall and the distillation history are there to make you understand the choices behind each gin. When you treat the session like an educational tasting, the Q&A feels more rewarding.

Should you book Stillgarden Afternoon Tea and Gin Masterclass?

I think it is a smart booking if you want a guided gin tasting that includes real afternoon tea, not just a drink and a walk-by. The structure helps you taste four signature gins in an organized way, and the distillery context makes the education more meaningful. The addition of non-gin and non-alcohol options is another practical plus as long as you request it in advance.

If your top priority is plain afternoon tea with no interest in gin tasting, this might feel more “gin-focused than you want.” But if you like flavor explanations, tasting comparisons, and a hosted experience that ends with a Q&A, it is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Afternoon Tea and Gin Masterclass?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours, and the duration is listed as 90 minutes.

What is included in the ticket?

Tickets include a welcome drink, a 4 gin tasting flight, and afternoon tea with sandwiches and decadent cakes.

Is this experience hosted by a guide?

Yes, it is hosted by Stillgarden liquid experts, and the session ends with a Q&A from one of them.

Are there non-gin or non-alcohol options?

Yes. Non gin and non alcoholic options are available, but you need to let them know beforehand.

Is the experience suitable for children?

No, it is not suitable for children under 18 years.

What language is the tour guide speaking?

The live tour guide provides the experience in English.

Will the masterclass run in bad weather?

Yes, this tour takes place rain or shine.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.