Guided Tour to Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Leitrim

The best part of this two-hour distillery tour is its setting and focus. You leave the usual pub tasting behind and visit the first distillery in Connacht in more than 101 years, at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in rural Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. The visit links production, botanicals, whiskey, and gin in one neat package.

I like the expert whiskey tasting, which gives the tour a clear purpose beyond simply looking at shiny equipment. I also like the final Gin and Tonic in the Honey Badger bar, set inside a majestic botanical glasshouse. The main point to consider is transport: the meeting point is in Drumshanbo, not central Sligo, so you need to plan your route carefully.

Key points at a glance

• Drumshanbo’s first distillery in over 101 years: Visit the first distillery in Connacht to open after that long gap.
• Two different tasting moments: Sample Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, then finish with a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic.
• A botanical glasshouse finale: The Honey Badger bar gives the last part of the tour a distinct setting.
• Small enough to stay manageable: The group is capped at 26 people.
• Good value at $25.34: The price includes admission, a guided visit, whiskey tasting, and a Gin and Tonic.
• Simple booking terms: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Why The Shed Distillery is worth your time

The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney is not just a place to sample a branded drink. It is presented as the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and other creations from PJ Rigney’s inventive approach to spirits.

That gives the visit a useful sense of place. You are not touring a generic factory with a tasting bolted onto the end. The whole visit is tied to one distillery and its range of drinks, which helps you understand why gin and whiskey are made differently and how each develops its character.

The distillery is at The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, with the postcode N41 WR22. The supplied location is described as Sligo, but the actual meeting address is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. Check your route before booking, especially if you are staying in Sligo and do not have a car.

I also like the scale of the group. With a maximum of 26 people, this is not an enormous coach-style production. Twenty-six is still large enough to feel social, but small enough for the tasting and guide-led explanations to remain central.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Public transport is nearby, though the information does not specify routes or journey times, so you will need to check those details yourself.

Entering the first Connacht distillery in 101 years

The main visit takes place at The Shed Distillery, described as the first distillery in Connacht in more than 101 years. That fact gives the building and its work a useful regional context.

You can expect a fully guided look at the distillery rather than a self-guided walk. The focus is on how whiskey and gin are distilled, along with the way botanical flavors are brought into gin. That makes the tour a good fit if you want to understand the method behind the bottle instead of rushing straight to the tasting table.

The wording of the visit points to an inner look at PJ Rigney’s creations. You are introduced to Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and other spirits connected with the distillery.

The exact production equipment, building history, and timing of each explanation are not specified. I would treat this as a guided introduction rather than a technical master class. You will get a clear account of the distillery and its drinks, but the supplied details do not promise a long production-floor session or access to every working area.

That distinction matters. If you want a full-day whiskey course, this is too short. If you want a compact, organized visit with a proper tasting and a strong local connection, two hours is a sensible length.

Learning how gin and whiskey take different paths

One useful feature of the tour is the contrast between gin and whiskey. The visit explains how whiskey and gin are distilled, while also covering the infusion of different botanical flavors.

That gives you something to listen for during the tastings. Whiskey and gin do not arrive at the glass in the same way, and a guide can connect what you see in production with what you taste later. The botanical side is especially relevant to Gunpowder Gin, whose character depends on the wider flavor profile rather than grain and oak alone.

The tour is not described as a formal class, so you should not expect a tasting worksheet or a detailed list of every botanical. Still, the structure gives you a useful framework: first understand the process, then test the results in the glass.

I like this order because it makes the drinks feel less random. A good distillery tour should answer at least two basic questions: how is the spirit made, and what should I notice when I drink it? This visit appears designed to do both without taking up an entire afternoon.

The whiskey tasting with a curious ambassador

The formal tasting centers on Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. It is led by one of the distillery’s curious ambassadors, with the visit described as an expert tasting.

That is an important part of the price. You are not only paying to enter the distillery. You are also getting guided help with one of the products made there, which can be useful if you do not usually taste whiskey or if you want more than a standard sample at a bar.

The tasting is also the clearest point where the tour moves from production to appreciation. The ambassador can connect the whiskey to the distillery’s methods and explain what you are drinking. The available details do not name the ambassador, state the pour size, or list additional whiskey samples, so it is best not to assume a long flight of spirits.

The whiskey portion suits curious beginners as well as people who already enjoy Irish whiskey. Beginners get an introduction without needing to know the vocabulary first. Experienced drinkers may appreciate the chance to taste this specific Single Pot Still expression at its home distillery.

One small limitation is that the published plan mentions one whiskey tasting rather than a broad comparison of several bottles. If your main goal is to sample many Irish whiskeys side by side, you may want to add a separate whiskey bar visit elsewhere.

Finishing at the Honey Badger bar

The final drink is a refreshing Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and Tonic at the Honey Badger bar. The bar is inside a botanical glasshouse, which gives the last part of the visit a clear visual identity.

This is a smart ending. After the production explanation and whiskey tasting, you get a different drink in a different setting. The Gin and Tonic is not just another technical sample. It is a relaxed finish where you can sit, take in the glasshouse, and talk with the people in your group.

One useful detail is that the Gin and Tonic is included. A drink at the end can otherwise become an extra cost, so its inclusion improves the value of the $25.34 ticket.

The botanical glasshouse also fits the gin theme. I would not assume it is a full garden tour, since that is not promised, but it does offer a more memorable setting than a plain tasting room.

The supplied information describes the Gin and Tonic as refreshing, but it does not specify the garnish, tonic brand, serving size, or whether you can choose another drink. If you have strong preferences, ask the distillery directly before booking.

Is $25.34 good value?

At $25.34 per person, this tour is priced fairly for a two-hour guided distillery visit with tastings. Admission is included, as are the whiskey tasting and the final Gunpowder Gin and Tonic.

The value comes from the complete sequence. You get the guided tour, an explanation of distilling and botanical infusion, a focused whiskey tasting, and a prepared gin drink in the glasshouse. That is more useful than paying an entry fee for a quick look around and buying every drink separately.

The price is especially reasonable if you already plan to visit Drumshanbo. You are getting a structured activity rather than trying to fill two hours on your own.

The calculation is less simple if you need expensive transport to reach the distillery. The meeting point is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, and the activity ends at the same place. Your transport cost is not part of the stated ticket price, so include that when planning from Sligo or another base.

For a couple, family group, or small party, the fixed per-person price makes budgeting easy. The limit of 26 people also helps keep the tour from feeling too crowded, though the actual group size can vary.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

The activity lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a proper visit and tasting, but short enough to fit beside other plans in County Leitrim or Sligo.

You start and finish at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney, The Food Hub, Carricknabrack, Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, N41 WR22. Since the tour returns to its starting point, you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The tour is booked, on average, 13 days ahead. That is a useful planning guide, not a rule. If you have a fixed itinerary, book before your preferred day fills, especially since the group limit is 26 people.

The activity is conducted in English. Confirmation is provided when you book. Public transport is nearby, but no specific service is given, so check the final approach to Drumshanbo rather than assuming the distillery is beside a major station.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The details do not describe step-free routes, seating throughout, or specific facilities for other access needs. If those points matter to you, contact the provider before paying.

Who will enjoy this distillery visit most?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, well-shaped activity built around local spirits. It suits people who enjoy learning how drinks are made, couples looking for a relaxed outing, and anyone curious about Drumshanbo Gin or Irish whiskey.

It also works well for visitors who do not want a full day devoted to alcohol. The two-hour format keeps the visit focused, and the final Gin and Tonic gives you a clear finish rather than an open-ended tasting session.

You may want to skip it if you are not interested in spirits, if you need a long technical tour, or if reaching Drumshanbo is awkward from your base. The ticket itself is reasonable, but transport can affect the overall cost and convenience.

The group limit of 26 makes it more appealing than a large factory tour. Still, the experience is not private, and the supplied information does not promise one-to-one attention or a private tasting.

Booking and cancellation advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made within that period are not accepted.

The cut-off uses local time. I would check the start time and your transport plan before the final day, especially if you are relying on public transport or traveling from Sligo.

Should you book The Shed Distillery tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, two-hour introduction to Drumshanbo’s spirits, with a guided production visit, a proper Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey tasting, and a Gunpowder Gin and Tonic in a botanical glasshouse.

The strongest reasons to go are the regional setting, the clear whiskey and gin focus, and the fact that both tasting moments are included. The main caution is practical rather than artistic: the distillery is in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, so confirm how you will reach it.

For a first look at The Shed Distillery, this is a well-balanced choice. It gives you enough background to understand the drinks, enough tasting to make the ticket worthwhile, and enough free space at the end to enjoy the setting.

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 meeting point, at The Shed Distillery.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The stated price is $25.34 per person.

What tastings are included?

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

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 26 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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