Dec 6, 20213 min read

A Visit to the Jameson Distillery, Bow Street, Dublin Ireland

Updated: Apr 19

A fun, interactive experience and a must-do next time you are in Dublin.

No trip to Dublin is complete without a visit to Jameson Bow Street. You will approach the distillery through an alley of sorts and the first thing you see is the copper pot used to distill the whiskey.

The original Jameson Distillery Bow Street opened its doors in 1780 but moved the distillery to Middleton in County Cork in 1971. Now Jameson Bow Street is a visitor center, this is where you will get guided tours, tastings, or just visit the bar.

Before we talk about the tour, let’s tell a few secrets.

Why is it called "Irish" Whiskey?

To be called Irish Whiskey a spirit must spend a minimum of three years maturing on the island of Ireland.

So, what’s the secret?

Jameson Irish Whiskey is made by blending rich pot still whiskey made from both malted and un-malted barley, with the finest grain whiskey. All are distilled three times to achieve the smooth character of the whiskey. The barley is grown locally in Ireland, and the water comes from the Dungourney River, which flows right through the working distillery in Middleton. The maize is pure as the sun from a farmer in the South of France. No genetically modified maize for Jameson!

A triple distillation process that has been going on since the beginning is the reason it is so smooth. And you’ll never guess where the casks come from. Yes, the United States, well Spain too. Another secret, these specific casks are used because they originally aged bourbon and fortified wine, thereby leaving some of that flavor in the whiskey.

Now on to the tour.

The “Bow Street Experience” is the basic package. It is interactive and the guide is quite the storyteller as you would expect, making the experience all that more interesting. During this sensory experience, you will smell, taste, and learn about the ingredients, blending, and maturation process behind this famous whiskey. You will compare and contrast American, Scotch, and Irish whiskey. Finishing the visit with a Ginger and Lime, and Jameson whiskey of course, in the bar amid a giant flatscreen with Jameson demonstrations, whiskey keg lined walls, and chandeliers made of whisky bottles. You can even get a bottle of whiskey engraved with your name on it.

There are a variety of options when it comes to tours and you can combine a few to save.

Here are some options.

The Whiskey Cocktail making class where you’ll make and drink three cocktails. Cabs are available at the street if needed 😊
Another option is the Jameson Black Barrel blending class where you blend your own whiskey to take home. And you will be able to see the only live maturation warehouse in Dublin.
Another option in the maturation warehouse is the cask draw experience.
A guided tasting of four premium Irish Whiskies including exclusives from Jameson distillery is also an option.

No matter what you choose, make sure to print your tour certificate and have your Ginger and Lime before you leave, it just might be your new favorite.

Don’t forget to make a stop in the gift shop for some Jameson to take home.

Pro Tips: Buy tickets in advance, and bundle to save a bit. And ladies, shirts run a size smaller than you would expect in the gift shop. If you are into the stocking stuffers, grab a few shot bottles of Jameson Black, I did. Shh.

Slainte!

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