Over the course of many years of studies, psychologists have proved beyond doubt that greater happiness and satisfaction is derived from spending money on experiences, rather than objects. It’s a concept worth considering as Father’s Day approaches.
In the busy world we live in today, making space and time to create special memories with family is the one true luxury left. And the best thing about giving an experiential gift is that you can share in the experience too.
But what experience to choose? In the realm of classic dad-appropriate gifts, the ultimate expression of the Father’s Day present is whiskey. It certainly beats another pair of socks. But, thinking beyond the bottle, go one step further and book him in for a tour or tasting experience at the famed Midleton Distillery Experience in Co Cork. It’s the perfect blend (whiskey pun intended) of gifting something he will love, with an experience you can share. Science says so.
Thousands of satisfied sippers who pass through the doors every year would agree; the Midleton Distillery Experience is a hugely popular destination with good reason. It’s home to iconic brands – the Midleton Distillery Experience is home to Ireland’s best-loved whiskey brands, including Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Powers, the Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness, and Knappogue Castle – and is steeped in history. This year marks 200 years since the founding of the Old Midleton Distillery, where production took place from 1825 to 1975; it now houses the visitor experience, while the 15-acre site is also home to anew working distillery.
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From immersive guided tours to premium whiskey tastings, cask sampling to cocktail classes, the Midleton Distillery Experience offers something for every whiskey enthusiast, whether you want to deep dive into the lore of the storied brands and buildings, or head straight for a tasting and savour the flavours.
Prestige pours
A whiskey tasting experience at the Midleton Distillery Experience promises that you will arrive as an appreciator and leave as an expert. Knowledgeable whiskey ambassadors share their expertise and guide you through the flavour profiles of a selection of premium whiskeys, specially chosen to create an enjoyable as well as educational moment.
When you next raise a glass to your nose to take in the subtle aromas, before that first delicious fiery sip, your newfound knowledge will add layers of depth, understanding and appreciation.
The newly launched Redbreast Whiskey Tasting is our star pick from the menu of possibilities on offer. This indulgent encounter is led by an expert craft ambassador to ensure you can discern the tasting notes and delight in the evolution of the flavour like a true connoisseur. In the Redbreast Birdhouse tasting room, guests sample four exquisite whiskeys from the Redbreast family, the world’s most-awarded Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and finish with a Redbreast Old Fashioned cocktail, served in the Signature Bar. The premium whiskey is a top shelf favourite the world over.
Expert guidance
On a guided tour, a seasoned chaperone will lead you through the impressively-designed experience, exploring the preserved distillery interior, and explaining the history and process as you view fascinating old kilns, mills and distilling equipment. You’ll come to face-to-face with the largest pot still in the world and stroll through the restored 19th-century warehouse where cask barrels sit in atmospheric stores, full of their liquid gold, as it mellows and ages to perfection.
You’ll learn all about the process of crafting each pot still whiskey, with a meticulous blend of malted and unmalted barley, sourced from farms in the Munster region surrounding the distillery and mixed with pristine water from the Dungourney river, which flows through the lush green hills of neighbouring Clonmult. Getting up close to the source and understanding the journey of your whiskey from field to cask to bottle brings the alchemy of whiskey to life.
Depending on the intensity of your whiskey obsession, choose from the 75-minute Midleton Distillery Experience Tour, finishing with a guided tasting of three whiskeys; level up to the two-hour Behind the Scenes tour with exclusive access to the Distiller’s Cottage, home to the Irish Distillers Archive; or go all out with the 2 hours 45 minutes Distiller’s Apprentice tour, an in-depth experience with exclusive access to the production facility and a sampling of whiskey straight from the cask.
If that whets the taste buds for more, the Discover Academy is the ultimate full-day experience, to deep dive into whiskey production from grain to glass. The informative immersion brings the craft to life in an interactive and sensory way with practical experiments, a visit to the production site and cask sampling.
Booking ahead for tours and tasting experiences is strongly recommended. However, the recently revamped cafe, bar, and shop are free to access – simply drop in and soak up the atmosphere. Take time out and enjoy a celebratory drink or a relaxing bite to eat. With everything from immersive experiences to premium shopping and dining all in one place, Midleton Distillery Experience truly has everything you need for the perfect Father’s Day outing.
Of course, you can’t just bring Dad all that way just to look at whiskey and not send him home with a bottle. A visit to the stunning distillery gift shop is a must, where you can explore a curated selection of premium whiskeys. From June 8th to 15th enjoy complimentary bottle personalisation on selected whiskeys over €100 – the ideal way to make your Father’s Day gift even more remarkable, leaving him with a cherished memento of a very special day out. Favourite child status guaranteed.
Midleton Distillery Experience is open seven days a week, with tours and tastings running daily. Book online at midletondistilleryexperience.com
