Guided Tour to Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Leitrim

The most unusual thing about this tour is its setting at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, the first distillery in Connacht in more than 101 years. You come to rural Drumshanbo to see where Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey are made, then finish with a drink beneath the glasshouse roof.

I like the way the tour joins production and tasting instead of treating them as separate events. I also like the modest price, the small maximum group of 26, and the free Gin and Tonic at the end. The main drawback is location: the meeting point is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, not central Sligo, so you need to plan your transport carefully.

Key points at a glance

• The tour takes place in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim: The address is The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22.
• You taste two distinct Irish spirits: The guided experience includes Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic.
• The final drink is served at the Honey Badger bar: This bar sits inside the distillery’s botanical glasshouse.
• The visit lasts about two hours: That gives you time for the guided distillery experience, whiskey tasting, and final gin drink.
• The group can reach 26 people: It is not a private tour, but the stated limit is more manageable than a large coach group.
• The price is $25.34 per person: For a tour with guided explanation, whiskey tasting, and a Gin and Tonic, that is a fair drinks-focused outing.

Arriving at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo

The first thing to get right is the map. The experience is often described as being in the Sligo area, but the meeting point is specifically at The Shed Distillery, The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22. The tour begins and ends there.

That matters if you are building a day around Sligo. Drumshanbo is not a quick stop in the middle of Sligo town, so check your route before booking. The practical upside is that there is no second drop-off point to find at the end. You finish where you started.

The site is near public transportation, although the supplied details do not specify a particular bus, train, or connection. I would still check the final leg before committing, especially if you plan to taste both spirits. A designated driver or a prearranged ride makes the day simpler.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but the published information does not give a full breakdown of step-free access or other mobility details, so contact the provider if you need a specific arrangement.

A look inside Connacht’s first distillery in 101 years

The story gives the visit a useful sense of place. The Shed Distillery is presented as the first distillery in Connacht in more than 101 years, and it is the home of products created by PJ Rigney. That includes Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and other spirits from his work.

You are not simply arriving at a tasting room to sample a famous label. The purpose of the visit is to connect the drinks with the place where they are made. An expert ambassador guides the experience and explains how whiskey is distilled and how gin is infused with botanical flavors.

That production focus is valuable even if you already know your way around a gin menu. The clearest appeal is the chance to compare the different jobs that distilling and botanical infusion must do. Whiskey and gin are both spirits, but they reach the glass in very different ways.

The tour also has a sense of personality. The distillery describes its work as coming from PJ Rigney’s curious mind, and the experience is built around discovery rather than a dry industrial lecture. You should expect a guided explanation with tasting at its center, not a long museum-style visit filled with displays.

The whiskey tasting: Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

The central tasting is Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. You sample it with guidance from the distillery ambassador, who helps put the drink in the context of the distilling process.

The supplied details do not give a tasting sheet, a list of pours, or a description of the whiskey’s exact flavors. That is useful to know before you arrive. This is not advertised as a large flight with many rare bottles. It is an expert tasting built into a wider two-hour tour.

I like that balance. A single featured whiskey gives the guide room to explain what you are drinking instead of rushing through several small samples. It also keeps the price down and leaves room for the final Gin and Tonic.

If you are new to whiskey, this part should be approachable because the ambassador can explain the basics as you taste. If you already enjoy Irish whiskey, you may find the value in learning how this particular Single Pot Still expression fits into the distillery’s wider range.

The best tip is simple: pay attention during the explanation before tasting. When you understand how the spirit is made, you have more to look for in the glass. A past tour experience also highlighted the whiskey tasting as one of the strongest parts of the visit, along with the relaxed chance to chat with other people afterward.

From botanical flavors to a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic

After the whiskey portion, the tour finishes with a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar. This is included in the admission price, which gives the visit a satisfying final act rather than ending immediately after the educational portion.

The gin is made distinctive by its botanical character, and the tour explains how botanical flavors are infused. The available information does not provide a complete ingredient list or promise a particular garnish, so you should not book expecting a detailed cocktail-making class. This is a tasting and serving experience, not a bartending workshop.

The setting helps. The Honey Badger bar is in a majestic botanical glasshouse, making the final drink feel separate from the more technical distillery explanation. You move from learning about production to sitting down with a refreshing mixed drink.

That last stop is also social. The format gives you a natural chance to chat with the other members of your group. If you like a little conversation with your drinks, this is a nice touch. If you prefer a private, quiet tasting, remember that the experience is shared and can include up to 26 people.

What the two-hour schedule means for your day

The full experience takes about two hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper visit but short enough to fit into a wider County Leitrim plan.

The time is divided among the guided distillery experience, the whiskey tasting, and the Gin and Tonic at the glasshouse bar. Exact timings for each part are not provided, so do not build your schedule around a precise minute-by-minute plan.

I would allow extra time around the booking for arrival and departure. The tour itself ends back at the meeting point, but you still need to account for parking, public transport, or a pickup. Since the experience is popular enough to be booked an average of 13 days ahead, booking early makes sense if your Ireland itinerary is fixed.

The group limit of 26 is worth noting. This is not a private tour, and the busiest sessions may feel lively. Still, the cap keeps it from becoming an enormous crowd. If you want the most relaxed visit, a less busy date may suit you better, though the supplied information does not identify quieter departure times.

Is $25.34 good value?

At $25.34 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour guided distillery visit that includes a whiskey tasting and a Gin and Tonic. You are paying for more than a look at the building. The price covers the guided explanation, the expert-led tasting, and the final drink at the Honey Badger bar.

The value is strongest if you enjoy both the making and drinking of spirits. You get a clear introduction to the distillery’s work, a taste of the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and a full mixed drink at the end. Buying comparable drinks separately would not give you the same context.

The value is less obvious if you do not drink alcohol or have little interest in how spirits are made. The provided information does not list a nonalcoholic tasting alternative, so contact The Shed Distillery directly if that matters to you.

The score of 4.8 from 82 ratings, with 95 percent recommending the experience, supports the idea that the package is well judged. The strongest praise centers on the price, the explanations of whiskey and gin production, and the pleasure of tasting the final drinks. Those are exactly the parts I would use to decide if the tour fits your interests.

Who will enjoy this distillery visit most?

I would recommend this tour to adults who want a short, focused drinks experience in rural Ireland. It suits people who are curious about how whiskey is distilled, how gin takes on botanical flavors, or how a modern Irish distillery presents its products.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants a planned activity rather than a quick shop visit. The ambassador-led format gives you a clear structure, and the two tastings give the visit a proper finish.

You should think twice if your day is centered on Sligo town and you do not have a practical way to reach Drumshanbo. The address is in County Leitrim, and the tour is not a convenient walk-in stop from central Sligo.

I would also avoid booking it as a rushed add-on before another fixed appointment. The tour takes about two hours, and the exact split between the guided visit and tastings is not stated. Give yourself breathing room.

Useful booking details before you commit

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at the time of booking. It has a maximum of 26 participants, so you can expect a shared tour rather than a private appointment.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or make changes during that period, and you will not receive a refund. That policy is fairly clear, but it makes timing important if your Ireland route may change.

Service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, and the venue is near public transportation. For detailed accessibility needs beyond that, ask the provider before booking rather than guessing.

The experience starts and ends at The Shed Distillery. That makes it easy to leave a car there if permitted by the venue, though the supplied details do not confirm parking arrangements. Check locally if parking is important to your plans.

Should you book The Shed Distillery tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced, two-hour introduction to Irish gin and whiskey with a real tasting at each end of the visit. The best features are the expert ambassador, the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting, and the Gunpowder Gin and Tonic served in the botanical glasshouse.

Skip it if you are staying in Sligo without transport to Drumshanbo, or if you want a long, highly technical spirits course with several whiskey pours. This is a friendly, focused visit with a clear beginning, middle, and drink in hand at the finish.

For the right visitor, $25.34 buys a useful look at a distinctive Irish distillery and two chances to taste its work. Just confirm the route to County Leitrim and leave enough time to enjoy the experience without watching the clock.

FAQ

Where does the Shed Distillery tour begin?

The tour begins at The Shed Distillery, The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at The Shed Distillery.

How long does the experience last?

The guided distillery experience takes about two hours.

What does the tour include?

It includes a fully guided visit, an expert tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $25.34 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 26 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.