The recently rebranded and redeveloped Irish whiskey experience in Midleton, Co Cork, showcases some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys all under one roof. Home to Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Powers, the Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness and Knappogue Castle – the passion behind the craft lives here.
The revamped attraction features a broad range of fun and interactive distillery tours, premium whiskey tastings, barrel openings and cocktail classes. A new immersive auditorium, as well as upgraded retail, bar, and cafe spaces also feature – all fully hosted across a 15-acre site, taking visitors on a journey from past to present.
Led by Brand and Craft Ambassadors, the flagship Midleton Distillery Experience Tour takes guests through the original Midleton Distillery, bringing the stories of hard-working people, grain-to-glass processes and rich heritage of the site to life. Before enjoying a comparative whiskey tasting, visitors come face-to-face with the largest pot still in the world, housed inside the original Still House.
The Behind-The-Scenes Tour takes guests behind the curtain, visiting the many special distillery buildings, including the cooperage and distillers cottage. There is also the opportunity to visit one of Midleton’s original whiskey maturation warehouses to learn about the angel’s share and to draw, and taste, a blended whiskey straight from a cask.
The new Midleton Cocktail Class fully immerses visitors in the cocktail-making experience, as they prepare (and enjoy) specially curated seasonal cocktails from start to finish using the finest Irish whiskeys and local ingredients, under the tutelage of a Midleton mixologist in the custom designed Kiln Bar. The 60-minute masterclass sees participants provided with everything required to concoct the perfect trio of cocktail masterpieces – all the ingredients, bar tools, knowledge and, of course, Jameson. Hosted in a custom-built bar space, the cocktail classes are nestled privately in the upper floors of the original distillery buildings. Whether for whiskey connoisseurs or those with a curious or passing interest, the cocktail class hits a sweet spot in terms of learning, fun and interaction. Using much-loved whiskeys from the Jameson range, alongside some fresh local ingredients from east Cork, guests are expertly guided through the process of perfecting some of the world’s most popular cocktails. An ideal experience for couples, friend groups and corporate teams, looking to celebrate a broad variety of special occasions.
For aficionados seeking a more in-depth educational whiskey experience, the Discoverer Academy immerses participants deeper into the production process, from grain to glass. The unique craft behind the Midleton Distillery Collection, Irish Distillers’ full portfolio of Irish whiskeys, is brought to life through interactive and sensorial experiments before a visit to the production site – for a closer look at the process.
While soaking up the magic of the Midleton Distillery Experience, guests can peruse the new premium retail facilities for distillery exclusive releases or personalised gift sets. The refurbished Distillery Shop stocks the entire Midleton whiskey portfolio, as well as branded items including clothing, glassware, and giftware. The new Whiskey Vault goes one step further and offers visitors the opportunity to purchase high-end whiskeys and special editions which collectors won’t find available in many other shops.
The recently built Malthouse Café serves morning pastries, a spot of lunch and afternoon snacks. The cafe incorporates an external patio area, ideal to enjoy the weather when it’s nice. Visitors can also enjoy a signature drink – neat, on the rocks, shaken or stirred – from one of the new distillery bars. No tickets or admission fees are required for the cafe, retail and bar facilities, making it perfect for a casual visit and browse.
Following a visit to Midleton Distillery Experience, the town of Midleton offers a wide variety of boutiques, shops, bars and restaurants, with free parking available. Further afield, east Cork’s beautiful landscape is there to be explored, and offers many additional visitor experiences, picturesque towns and villages, as well as great food.
For the months of July and August, Midleton Distillery Experience is offering 20 per cent off experiences (excluding The Distillers Apprentice Tour and The Irish Whiskey Academy) for online bookings only, using promo code “LOCAL OFFER”. Subject to availability. 18 years old and over.
Visit midletondistilleryexperience.com for more information and bookings. Pre-booking is recommended