Can I tour a whiskey distillery or brewery, and do I need to book ahead?
Yes, and Ireland does them well: the big experiences are the Jameson distillery at Midleton in County Cork and the Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim, with smaller working distilleries in Dublin, Dingle, Tullamore and along the west coast pouring their own spirit at the end of the tour. Book ahead in summer and at weekends, when the popular slots go days in advance, and book the first tour of the day if you want the place quieter. Tastings are part of the ticket, so settle the driving question before you arrive: tours suit the passenger. If you are the driver, ask when you book, as some visitor centres will seal your tasting to take away for later.
Useful pages: Irish food · Irish food and drink experiences · Food and drink basics · Irish pubs and music · What to eat in Ireland · Best Irish souvenirs · Tours · Events · Plan your journey
Sources
- Failte Ireland: food and drink visitor information, failteireland.ie
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