Last night I had a pleasant dream,

I woke up with a smile,

I dreamed that I was back again in dear old Erin’s isle.

I thought I saw Lough Allen’s banks in the valley down below,

It was my lovely Leitrim where the Shannon waters flow.

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Well, as the song goes, Leitrim is truly lovely,  and The Wine Spirit Women discovered this for themselves last week when they took a trip out of Dublin city to the shores of Lough Allen and the village of Drumshanbo. Their destination was The Shed Distillery, home to the Curious Mind of PJ Rigney, where the famous Drumshanbo Gin is created alongside their whiskey range of Pot Stills and Single Malts.

Upon arrival, the group was warmly welcomed for a coffee in the Jackalope Café. The inviting surroundings were the perfect spot to start our experience and it was lovely to see the café busy with tourists and locals – a nod to the fact that this visitor centre and distillery has enriched the area of Drumshanbo, providing employment and an exciting addition to the tourism scene in this part of rural Ireland.  

The tour began with a fascinating walk-through of the distillery’s history and the intricate process of crafting its celebrated spirits. We were delighted to learn of the incredible success story of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and to hear how its distinctive blue bottle is now a top seller in Duty-Free shops the world over and has made its way onto some of the most prestigious international bar shelves.  It was also wonderful to see such evident pride that The Shed has produced the first whiskey in Connacht for over 100 years and the very first bottle is proudly displayed like a precious artefact as part of the tour.

One of the most captivating parts of the tour was a visit to the flavour lab, a completely enchanting room filled with a stunning array of botanicals used in the gin-making process. Among these botanicals was meadowsweet, a fragrant wildflower growing in abundance in the surrounding fields of Leitrim.

We learned how this local meadowsweet, with its sweet, almond-like aroma, plays a vital role in crafting The Shed’s unique gin. The group was also fascinated to learn that every bottle of gin from The Shed is labelled by hand, a testament to the distillery’s dedication to quality and personal touch.

The highlight of the tour was the whiskey tasting session. There was another audible ‘wow’ as we entered the tasting room. Decorated in an eclectic style, with a variety of textures and colours, with whiskey laid out in elegant tasting glasses on charming vintage trays – this visual feast set the scene for a superb and varied tasting. The array of textures, colours and styles in the aesthetic seemed to echo the variety of notes in the whiskies- warm vanilla, refreshing citrus, peppery spices, delicate florals, rich stone fruits, each sip across the range delivered layers of flavour and great finish.

We couldn’t pick a favourite, the show of hands expressed equal love for their Single Pot Still, Single Malt and the Marsala Cask. Our knowledgeable guide talked us through the nuances of aroma and taste, deepening our understanding and appreciation of fine whiskey. Surrounded by a variety of ageing casks, with examples of staves and well-designed graphics explaining the ageing process, this session really strengthened our understanding of how the flavours and nuances are achieved.

Following the tasting, we were welcomed into the cheerful ambience of The Honey Badger Bar.  This fun and brightly coloured room, decorated in tropical colours and lush green planting gave relaxed holiday vibes. Through the windows of this gorgeous botanical glasshouse the persistent Irish drizzle that has defined ‘Summer 2024’ suddenly felt like tropical mists.

The cocktails, served in colourful glasses,  reflect the diversity of flavours in their range of gin – from their original Gunpowder to  Brazilian Pineapple or  Sardinian Citrus.  With vibrant notes and balanced flavours, the cocktail selection was a testament to The Shed’s prowess in crafting exceptional gin.

We were treated to a delicious selection of light bites to accompany our drinks and really enjoyed the opportunity to chat and mingle with other members in the comfortable bar. As we all know,  all good tours finish in a gift shop and the gift shop at The Shed is exceptional. The kaleidoscope of colour, stunning displays and rich variety of beautifully curated glassware, cocktail paraphernalia,  food and drink treats, collectables and crafts, make The Shed’s gift shop seem like a piece of retail theatre, and the temptation to buy something beautiful to take home was irresistible.

The merchandise is really high quality, from copper cocktail spoons and jiggers to soft and stylish wearables and perfectly curated tasty Irish treats. Of course, the highlight is the brightly lit wall of gins, vodkas and whiskeys-the riot of coloured bottles displayed like a pop art installation yet still inviting enough to touch and buy – almost promising that a corner of your drink’s cabinet could look this cool with a line up of this selection of decanters.

The visit to The Shed Distillery was more than just a tour; it was an immersive journey into the world of premium spirits, and every touchpoint from the welcoming entrance to the tasting rooms to the retail is genuinely a feast for the senses. For the Wine Spirit Women, it was a day of bonding, learning, and celebrating our shared passion for fine beverages in a setting that perfectly blends tradition with modern sophistication. This meticulous attention to detail at every level of this distillery and visitor centre has left us with a taste for more.

Interestingly there are no photos allowed on the tour, and for a bunch of ladies who love our camera phones, this seemed like a missed opportunity. However, as we reflect on our trip, we realise that in fact, every detail of this fabulous experience was even more memorable as we captured it through all of our senses rather than just through a lens.  We highly recommend a visit to The Shed, and if you can’t make it all the way to lovely Leitrim just yet, those brightly coloured bottles are in an off-licence near you!

Wine Spirit Women want to say a big thank you to Nicole, Dalcassian Wine & Spirits and the team at The Shed Distillery for such a wonderful visit.

This article was written by Santina Kennedy.