Galway: Micil Distillery Tour with Poitín, Gin & Whiskey Tastings

Summary

Galway’s distilling legacy comes alive with tastings and stories

You’ll walk into Galway’s only working distillery and hear real stories from local guides whose families have distilled poitín for generations. Smell barley, taste poitín, whiskey and gin right where they’re made, and feel part of Galway’s living tradition for an afternoon you’ll remember whenever you catch that scent again.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped into Micil Distillery and right away there was this warm, slightly sweet smell — a bit like fresh bread but sharper. Our guide, Eoin (he said it “Owen,” which I’d never have guessed), waved us over to a copper still that looked older than my granddad’s fishing gear. He started telling us about his great-great-great-grandfather sneaking around Connemara making poitín when it was illegal. The way he told it, you could almost picture the bogs and the rain — he even laughed about how his family got caught once or twice. I liked how nothing felt rehearsed; he just talked like we were friends in his kitchen.

The first tasting was poitín — honestly, I’d only ever heard jokes about it before. It burned a little at first sip but left this grassy note that stuck around longer than I expected. Eoin handed me a chunk of barley to smell, saying “This is where it starts.” There was something earthy in the air, mixed with the faint tang of alcohol and old wood. People asked questions about gin botanicals and whiskey barrels; Eoin answered everything without sounding like a textbook. Someone tried to pronounce “Micil” right (I didn’t even try), which got a laugh from everyone.

I kept noticing little things: the way light hit the glass bottles lined up on the shelf, or how you could hear distant traffic through the warehouse door if you listened for it. The whiskey had this soft vanilla thing going on — not what I expected at all. By the end, I felt like I understood why people cared so much about these spirits here in Galway. There’s history in every sip, or maybe that’s just what happens after three tastings… Either way, I still think about that first sharp taste of poitín whenever I walk past a bakery now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Galway's working distillery

• Enter Micil Distillery in Galway
• Learn history of poitín and whiskey
• Hear family stories of illicit past
• Experience sights and sounds of distillery
• Taste poitín, whiskey, and gin

Top questions

Is the Micil Distillery tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are public transportation options available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the distillery.

What spirits are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes poitín, whiskey, and gin made at Micil Distillery.

Is there an age restriction for alcohol tasting?

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in tastings.

Should I bring anything special for the tour?

The distillery can be chilly sometimes; bringing a jacket is recommended.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed at Micil Distillery.

Does the experience include a local guide?

Yes, a professional guide leads your tour and tastings.

Is there a gift shop at Micil Distillery?

Yes, there is a gift shop available onsite.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings of poitín, whiskey and gin crafted onsite at Micil Distillery in Galway city. A knowledgeable local guide shares family stories and takes you through each spirit’s history and production process before you can browse their small gift shop or head back out into town afterward.