The Galway distilleries you’ll find mentioned here always go above and beyond in their offerings of tours and tasting, in both educational and entertainment aspects. Additionally, you’ll also find their products stocked in bars, restaurants, and retailers nationwide so if you want to discover more about these top of the industry distilleries you have come to the right place!
It’s no secret that Galway distilleries are leading the way in the drinks industry in Ireland. These distilleries are always pushing themselves to bring their customers the new top-quality drinks and give their visitors the opportunity to come behind the scenes to see, taste and explore the world of gin, whiskey and poitín production. Read all about Galway’s finest distilleries below..
above: Ahascragh Distillery
Ahascragh Distillery
Run by husband-and-wife team, Gareth and Michelle McAllister, Ahascragh Distillery is powered through innovative use of wind and solar energy combined with high temperature heat pump technology, a first for the Irish drinks industry. Earlier this year they announced another significant milestone for sustainability with the introduction of Ireland’s first zero energy emissions spirit. This is truly a massive achievement! If you’re curious to know more about how they are shaking up Ireland’s drinks industry be sure to join them on one of their distillery tours.
Book your Distillery Tour here
At Ahascragh Distillery there are two types of guided tours available; Visitor Experience & Premium Tasting Tour. Both are fully accessible and will take tour-goers on an exploration of whiskey and gin production from grain to glass and the history of an old mill with a tasting of their award-winning products to finish. On the standard visitor experience guests can enjoy UAIS and Clan Colla whiskeys and Xin Gin, while the premium tour offers visitors premium spirits expertly paired with chocolate and local cheese. After your tour, visit the onsite Old Mill Shop & Café to enjoy good food and good company in a cosy and unique atmosphere.
Price: Visitor Experience - €20, & Premium Tasting Tour - €35
Learn more about Ahascragh Distillery here
Address: Chapel Street, Ahascragh West, Ballinasloe
above: Tribe Irish Gin School
Tribe Irish Gin School
Tribe Irish Gin is Ireland’s largest Gin School, and its story began back during the Covid pandemic by four friends who wanted to bring a new experience to Galway city and Salthill. These friends wanted their Gin Brand ‘Tribe Gin’ to showcase some of the local ingredients of the West of Ireland and their Gin School to highlight the fun, exciting and creative aspect of the City of the Tribes. Their School is all about bringing people together, get the creative juices flowing by creating & distilling your very own bottle of gin! You don’t need to be a chemist or have distilled anything before, we will help you every step of the way and we will have a great time while doing it!
Book your Distillery Tasting Tour here
At Tribe Irish Gin School they have both tasting tours and masterclasses available. The Gin Makers Tasting Tour offers a condensed version of our full Gin School experience, lasting one hour - featuring a guided tour of our distillery, a tasting session of our award-winning gins, with the additional option of distilling your own bottle on the day. The Tribe Gin School Masterclass, which runs over two and a half hours, includes a hands-on experience where you'll learn the art of distilling, create your own unique gin recipe to take home. You will also get to indulge in a meat and cheese board, and enjoy unlimited G&T's throughout the class.
Price: Gin Tasting Tour - €25, Gin Tasting and Bottling Tour - €60, & Gin Masterclass - individual still - €95 or shared still - €75
Learn more about Tribe Irish Gin School here
Address: 139 Upper Salthill Road, Salthill
above: Micil Distillery
Micil Distillery
Headed up by co-founders Pádraic Ó Griallais and Ross Tobin, Micil Distillery is a 6th generation distiller and Galway’s first legal distillery since 1911. Production is led by Pádraic’s brother Jimín, sixth generation Connemara poitín distiller and direct descendant of Micil Mac Chearra, the family’s original distiller. The Micil family have been crafting exceptional Irish spirits in Galway for over 170 years, representing Ireland’s longest unbroken family distilling tradition.
Book your Distillery Tour here
Micil Distillery is open seven days a week for pre-booked tours, tastings and distillery experiences, offering fully guided, up-close and personal insights into the world of Micil. They currently offer three experiences; Micil Whiskey, Micil Distillery and Micil Gin as well as private tours (tours as Gaeilge are available also). These experiences offer visitors an inside look into a working distillery, focusing on whiskey, poitín and gin production at Micil. You’ll discover the amazing histories of all three spirits, learn how they’re made, and hear some colourful stories about the family’s illicit distilling heritage.
Price: Micil Whiskey Experience - €25, Micil Distillery Experience - €25, & Micil Cocktail Experience - €45
Learn more about Micil Distillery here
Address: Oslo Bar, 226 Upper Salthill Road, Salthill
If you are now feeling the thirst for Galway-based beverages, we highly recommend you head over to our article on the breweries in Galway that are brewing up some incredible drinks. You can read all about them here.
Feature photo courtesy of Micil Distillery
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