Guided Tour to Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Leitrim

Gin with a rural Irish twist. The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney offers a two-hour look at one of Connacht’s newest distilling landmarks, with a guided visit, a tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic in the Honey Badger bar.

I like the way this tour joins production and tasting, so you do not simply hear about the spirits and leave without trying them. I also like the setting: a rural distillery in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, home to Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and other creations from PJ Rigney. The main consideration is location. Although the experience may be associated with Sligo, the meeting point is actually at The Food Hub in Drumshanbo, so you need to plan your route carefully.

The tasting is the social heart of the visit. You get to sample the single pot still whiskey with a distillery ambassador, then finish with a complimentary gin and tonic while chatting with the people in your group. At $25.34 per person, that makes this a fair-value stop for anyone already exploring the area, though it is less convenient if you are not travelling near Drumshanbo.

Key points to know before you go

• Two hours inside a working Irish distillery: The tour gives you enough time to learn about the spirits without taking up an entire day.
• Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting: Whiskey is a main part of the guided visit, not an afterthought.
• A complimentary Gunpowder Gin and Tonic: The tour ends at the Honey Badger bar in a botanical glasshouse.
• The first Connacht distillery in over 101 years: The Shed has a clear regional story as well as a modern drinks range.
• A small maximum group of 26: This is not a huge coach-style production, though the group may still feel lively at full capacity.
• A rural County Leitrim meeting point: Use The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22, Ireland, as your navigation point.

Reaching The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo

The biggest practical point is the address. The experience is listed in the wider Sligo area, but the actual meeting point is The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney at The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22.

That distinction matters. If you search only for Sligo or assume the tour leaves from a city center, you may create a needless travel problem. I would put the full Drumshanbo address into your directions before setting out and allow enough time to arrive without rushing.

The tour begins and ends at the distillery. There is no separate drop-off point, so you can arrange your day around this one location. The return to the same meeting point is useful if you are travelling by car or combining the visit with another stop in the area.

The site is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify routes, schedules, or walking distances. For that reason, I would check the local connection before booking if you are not driving. The tour is offered in English, and service animals are allowed.

Entering Connacht’s first distillery in more than a century

The Shed Distillery has a strong sense of place. It is presented as the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years, giving the visit more meaning than a simple brand presentation. You are looking at a modern Irish distillery with a clear connection to regional renewal.

That context helps explain why the tour appeals beyond dedicated whiskey fans. You get to see how a drinks company has taken root in rural Ireland, while learning about the spirits associated with PJ Rigney. The focus is not limited to one bottle. The distillery is home to Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and other creations from Rigney’s inventive approach.

The exact route through the building is not specified, so you should expect a guided introduction rather than a self-guided wander. A distillery ambassador leads the visit and explains how whiskey and gin are distilled, along with how different botanical flavors are infused into gin.

That explanation is valuable because gin and whiskey are often treated as mysterious products. Here, the tour gives you a chance to connect the finished drink with the methods behind it. If you are curious about spirits but do not know much about production, you can follow the story without needing specialist knowledge.

Following the whiskey and gin-making story

The tour’s strongest feature is the way it covers two different kinds of spirits. Whiskey and gin share a distillery, but they offer very different paths from ingredients to glass.

The guided portion explains how whiskey is distilled and how gin is infused with botanicals. That contrast gives the visit a useful rhythm. Whiskey brings attention to the spirit itself, while gin opens the door to aroma and flavor from botanicals.

The phrase Gunpowder is part of the Drumshanbo gin identity, and the experience connects that product to the botanical side of the distillery. You will not simply be shown a bottle and handed a drink. The tour is designed to explain how botanical flavors become part of the final gin.

I especially like this combination for couples or groups with mixed interests. One person may be more interested in Irish whiskey, while another prefers gin. Both sides get a clear reason to pay attention, and the tasting portion gives each drink its own moment.

The tour lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a proper guided presentation and tasting, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing around County Leitrim. You should still plan your wider schedule with some breathing room, since the stated duration is approximate.

The Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting

The whiskey tasting is a central part of the visit. You sample Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey with one of the distillery’s ambassadors, who guides the tasting and adds context to what is in your glass.

This is where the tour moves from theory to something you can judge for yourself. A tasting lets you think about aroma, flavor, and finish while the production details are still fresh in your mind. Even if you normally order whiskey without much thought, the guided format can make the drink easier to understand.

The supplied information does not state how many whiskey samples are included or describe the exact tasting notes. That is worth keeping in mind if you are expecting a large flight of spirits. The experience clearly includes an expert tasting of the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, but you should not assume that several additional pours are part of the price.

The word expert is used in the tour description, but the individual ambassador’s name is not provided. You will have a host from the distillery rather than a named outside guide. That is a plus for anyone who wants the explanation tied directly to the place making the spirit.

A previous guest described the whiskey tasting as a highlight and also praised the chance to learn how whiskey and gin are distilled. That matches the tour’s main strength: it gives the tasting a purpose rather than treating it as a quick sample at the end.

Finishing in the Honey Badger botanical glasshouse

After the guided visit and whiskey tasting, the experience finishes with a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar. The bar is located in a botanical glasshouse, which gives the final drink a distinct setting.

This closing drink changes the pace. The guided presentation is about listening and learning. The gin and tonic gives you time to relax, talk with others, and enjoy the setting without another formal stop to follow.

The drink is included in the admission price. That matters when you compare the $25.34 cost with a standard distillery visit that may charge separately for its final pour. Here, you receive both the educational part and two tasting moments, one focused on whiskey and one on gin.

The gin and tonic also gives the tour a social finish. One guest particularly liked chatting with other people after the whiskey tasting. If you enjoy meeting fellow drinkers and swapping impressions, this part may be just as enjoyable as the formal presentation.

The drink is refreshing, but you should remember that this is still a tasting experience, not a full meal or a bar session. There is no food included in the supplied details, so plan lunch or dinner separately.

Is $25.34 good value for two hours?

At $25.34 per person, I consider the tour reasonably priced for a branded distillery visit. You receive a guided experience lasting about two hours, an included Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting, and a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar.

The value improves if you already have a reason to be in County Leitrim. You are not paying only for a drink. You are paying for the explanation of how the spirits are made, the connection to PJ Rigney’s products, and time inside a distillery with a notable regional story.

The value is less convincing if you have to make a long detour solely for the tour. The price is modest, but transport costs and travel time can change the calculation. I would book it as part of a day in the area rather than treating it as a quick stop from central Sligo.

The maximum group size is 26 people. That keeps the experience smaller than a large commercial attraction, though a full group will not feel private. If you want one-on-one attention throughout, this may not be the right format. If you prefer a social visit with enough structure to keep things moving, the group size should work well.

The tour is recommended by 95 percent of the people who rated it, with an overall score of 4.8 from 82 reviews. Those figures point to a consistently strong experience, especially around the tasting and the way the distillery explains its products. They do not remove the location issue, but they do suggest that the tour itself delivers what it promises.

Who will enjoy this distillery visit?

I would recommend the tour to anyone with a real interest in Irish whiskey, gin, or the making of spirits. It suits beginners particularly well because the visit explains both production and flavor rather than assuming you already know the terminology.

It also works for visitors who want an activity with a strong local connection. The setting in rural Leitrim and the story of Connacht’s first distillery in more than a century give the stop a sense of purpose. You are not just visiting a tasting room with a generic theme.

The tour is a good choice for couples, small groups, and independent visitors who like a structured activity followed by time to talk. The English-language format is straightforward, and most people can participate.

I would think twice if you dislike alcohol tastings or want a broad tour of many Irish distilleries in one day. This is a focused visit to one producer. It also may not suit a tight schedule, since the visit takes about two hours and the actual site is in Drumshanbo rather than Sligo city.

Booking, timing, and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is usually reserved about 13 days in advance, which suggests that booking ahead is sensible if your travel dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted.

That policy is fairly flexible for a planned Ireland trip, but it does not protect against a last-minute change. I would confirm your transport to Drumshanbo before the 24-hour deadline.

Should you book The Shed Distillery tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-priced introduction to Irish gin and whiskey in a rural setting. The strongest reasons are the two-hour guided format, the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting, and the included Gunpowder Gin and Tonic in the Honey Badger botanical glasshouse.

You should be comfortable with the location before paying. The actual meeting point is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, and the tour returns there. If that fits your route, the $25.34 price offers solid value and a pleasant mix of learning, tasting, and conversation. If you are based in Sligo and have no transport plan, check the journey first. The distillery is worth considering, but the map matters.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the tour last?

The guided distillery experience lasts approximately two hours.

What spirits are included in the experience?

The visit includes a tasting of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar.

Is the gin and tonic included in the price?

Yes. The refreshing Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 26 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.