Whiskey Distilleries

Dublin is experiencing a whiskey renaissance. After decades without an active distillery (Irish whiskey was almost exclusively produced in Cork and Midleton), several new distilleries have opened in recent years, putting Dublin back on the whiskey map.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery

The first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years (opened in 2015) is located in The Liberties district — historically the heart of Dublin's whiskey industry, where over 37 distilleries operated in the 19th century. The tour (16–30 €) takes you through the entire production process and ends with a tasting of three whiskeys. The tasting rooms are stylish, the staff passionate, and the Small Batch Whiskey is excellent.

Jameson Bow Street Experience

The former Jameson Distillery on Bow Street (Smithfield) no longer produces on-site (this now happens in Midleton, Cork), but offers an excellent experiential exhibition on the history of Irish whiskey. The whiskey tasting at the end (Jameson vs. Scotch whisky vs. Bourbon) is educational and entertaining. Premium tours from 25 € include exclusive whiskey cocktails and access to rare bottlings.

Other Distilleries

• Pearse Lyons Distillery — in a restored 12th-century church. Uniquely atmospheric.
• Roe & Co Distillery — Diageo's premium Dublin distillery in the former Guinness power station. Focus on cocktails and modern whiskey experience.
• Dublin Liberties Distillery — Small craft distillery in the same historic district as Teeling.

Irish Whiskey vs. Scotch: Irish whiskey is triple distilled (Scotch usually twice), making it smoother and more accessible. The barley is not dried over peat fires (no smoky taste like Islay Scotch). And: "Whiskey" with an "e" is the Irish/American spelling, "Whisky" without an "e" is the Scottish/Japanese.