It’s a hard month is January; credit card bills, detox articles in the newspapers and a fresh round of those weekly encyclopedias that no one seems to buy. But January is also a good month to plan ahead, which is why we decided to launch a Gin Distilling Workshop.

Gin O'Clock

On 11th April we will host Ireland’s first day-long, get-your-hands-dirty event for serious gin lovers. If you are thinking of opening your distillery or launching a gin brand, if you want feedback on a recipe you are working on, or if you just want to know more about the spirit, then this is a grand day out for you.

David in full flow!
David in full flow!

Our ringmaster on the day will be author and gin consultant David T Smith, after coffee he will bring you through the history of the drink before you dive off the deep end into a sea of flowers, roots and berries. David will examine each of the most popular gin botanicals both in their raw form and as a single distillate. Unpicking a gin like this is the very best way to put one back together in a new and interesting way.

We will also make gin – in large and small quantities. We will run our 500-litre pot still and a smaller 2-litre still, as this is the size you will start with.

If you have a work-in-progress gin, bring it in a clean jar (no wiped-out pesto containers please), and David will get back to you with his thoughts and suggestions.

You will also get a Moleskine notebook to hold your thoughts together.

All the fresh coffee that’s legal.

Lunch!

And a goody bag, let’s face it – what’s a party without a goody bag? Our botanical supplier will provide each of the participants with a box of the most popular gin botanicals for you to take away.

You will also (we hope) enjoy yourself, meet some kindred spirits (nice pun that) and spend some time in a beautiful part of the country.

The workshop is being held on the weekend of the West Waterford Festival of Food, so why not come and spend some time in the wonderful Blackwater Valley? Visit the gardens at Lismore Castle, eat at the Tannery, head into the market in Dungarvan, and enjoy a drink in one of the lovely waterfront bars where you can try some of the awesome beers brewed by our pals at the Dungarvan Brewing Company.

Unfortunately this is not the distillery. This is Lismore Castle on the Blackwater River.
Unfortunately this is not the distillery. This is Lismore Castle on the Blackwater River.

 

Places are strictly limited to 12 and early bird tickets are on sale only until the end of January!

Book Here.