Private Full Day Whiskey Tour from Dublin with Tullamore D.E.W.

The best part of this full-day whiskey tour is the contrast between old Kilbeggan and polished, modern Tullamore D.E.W. You move from a historic distillery and Ireland’s oldest pub to a high-tech whiskey plant, with the rural Midlands rolling past the window in between.

I like the private transport and the thoughtful pacing. Your host, with guides such as John or Colm, handles the driving and adds stories on the road, while the distillery staff lead their own specialist visits. The drawback is simple: at $589.14 per person, this is a serious splurge, and lunch is not included.

Key points at a glance

• Four Kilbeggan whiskeys: Take part in a masterclass in the old cooperage at Old Kilbeggan Distillery.
• Sean’s Bar in Athlone: Visit a pub known as Ireland’s oldest, with tastings of Sean’s Blend and Sean’s Single Malt.
• Modern Tullamore D.E.W.: Enjoy an Irish coffee, a guided distillery visit, a warehouse cask draw, and three whiskey tastings.
• Private day from Dublin: Leave at 8:30 a.m. and travel by executive vehicle with only your own group.
• A useful whiskey comparison: See how a historic distillery and a state-of-the-art operation approach Irish whiskey.
• Rural Ireland between stops: Spend the day in counties Westmeath and Offaly rather than remaining in Dublin.

Why the Kilbeggan and Tullamore pairing works

Many whiskey tours give you one distillery and call it a day. This one gives you two very different settings, which makes the subject easier to understand. Old Kilbeggan offers atmosphere, age, and traditional character. Tullamore D.E.W. provides a more modern look at production, presentation, and brand identity.

I particularly like this side-by-side approach if you are new to Irish whiskey. You do not need to know the difference between a single malt and a blend before you arrive. The tastings and guided visits give you a practical way to compare styles, places, and methods.

The private format also matters. You are not being shuffled between a large group and a timetable set for strangers. Your own host can offer commentary during the drive, answer questions, and leave you alone when a distillery guide takes over.

This is still a long day. The tour lasts about 10 hours, and the early start means you should be ready in your hotel lobby at 8:30 a.m. The whiskey tastings are spread across the day, but anyone who prefers a slow, short outing may find the schedule demanding.

Leaving Dublin for the Midlands

Pickup is offered from your hotel, with the meeting set for 8:30 a.m. The drive takes you toward rural Ireland and the counties of Westmeath and Offaly. That change of scene is part of the value here. You get a full day away from Dublin without having to arrange trains, taxis, or a designated driver.

Your host travels with you in executive transport and provides commentary along the way. John and Colm are both named as guides associated with the experience, and the feedback about them repeatedly highlights their punctuality, warmth, storytelling, and professional driving.

That combination is useful on a whiskey day. You can taste without worrying about the return trip, and you have someone to explain where you are going and what makes each stop worth your time. The drive also creates natural breathing space between tastings.

Do not expect every minute to be filled with formal guiding. That is a good thing. The host provides commentary on the road, while the distilleries run their own scheduled experiences. One of the strengths of the day is this balance between information and free time.

Old Kilbeggan Distillery and four classic pours

The first scheduled visit lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. At Old Kilbeggan Distillery, you take part in a distillery experience and taste four Kilbeggan whiskeys in the old cooperage.

The setting gives this stop its character. Rather than beginning in a sleek new visitor center, you start with a place tied to the older working traditions of Irish whiskey. The cooperage setting also connects the tasting to the practical side of the trade, since casks are central to how whiskey develops its flavor.

Four pours make this more than a token sample. You have enough variety to notice differences and decide what you actually like. If you are already a whiskey fan, the masterclass gives you a chance to compare the Kilbeggan range with what you will taste later at Tullamore D.E.W.

The visit is also a useful first stop because it sets a slower, more traditional tone. You can get oriented before moving on to the newer distillery. The scheduled format means this part follows a set timetable, so arrive ready to begin rather than assuming you can wander in at any hour.

Sean’s Bar in Athlone, with whiskey in a snug

Next comes Sean’s Bar in Athlone, for about 30 minutes. The pub is presented as Ireland’s oldest, and possibly the oldest in Europe or the world. Another description identifies it as the oldest verified pub in Ireland.

That claim is part of the fun, but the real appeal is the atmosphere. Sean’s Bar gives you a historic pub stop between two distilleries, helping the day feel like a visit to Ireland rather than a sequence of branded tasting rooms.

The included tasting features Sean’s Blend and Sean’s Single Malt. You may also have time for a Guinness or another drink, but the listed tasting includes those two Sean’s whiskeys. The stop is short, so think of it as a focused pub visit rather than a long lunch break.

A useful detail is that lunch is not included in the tour. The driver can recommend somewhere in Athlone, and one itinerary described lunch there as enjoyable and well timed. You should plan to ask your host about lunch early in the day so you do not spend your 30 minutes at Sean’s Bar trying to solve the food question.

The personal feel of this stop can vary with the day’s arrangements. Previous visits included time with staff and a private conversation connected with the pub. The experience promises a tasting, so treat any additional access or conversation as a welcome bonus rather than a guaranteed feature.

Tullamore D.E.W. from Irish coffee to cask draw

The Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience lasts about one hour and 40 minutes. It begins with an Irish coffee, a smart touch for a morning-to-afternoon whiskey outing and a direct link to the drink’s place in Irish social life.

You then take a guided tour through the state-of-the-art distillery. This is the clear contrast with Kilbeggan. Here, the emphasis is on modern production and presentation, giving you a different view of how a major Irish whiskey operation works.

The visit includes a Tullamore warehouse and a cask draw. That detail is important because it brings you closer to the aging process. Instead of only seeing finished bottles, you get a look at whiskey in the barrel and a taste connected to the cask itself.

The final tutored tasting includes three Tullamore whiskeys. The word tutored matters here: you are not simply handed three glasses and left to guess. The tasting is designed to guide you through the differences, which is useful if you want to build your palate or understand why one expression costs more than another.

Past scheduling has placed Tullamore first on some days, followed by lunch, Kilbeggan, and Sean’s Bar. The published order lists Kilbeggan first, Sean’s Bar second, and Tullamore last. The exact order may depend on distillery schedules, but the included elements are the same. Ask your provider if the order matters to you.

What the private format changes

This is a private tour, so only your group participates. That is the main reason the price is higher than a standard shared excursion. You pay for a dedicated vehicle, a private host, and a day shaped around your group rather than a large coach timetable.

I see the value most clearly for couples, families with adult children, or a small group of whiskey fans who want to talk freely. It also suits people who want to drink at tastings without driving on unfamiliar Irish roads.

A private host can adjust the amount of commentary to match your interest. If you want stories about Irish history between stops, you can ask. If you prefer quiet countryside views after a tasting, you have that option too. Previous guide experiences with John and Colm placed a strong focus on being helpful without filling every moment with talk.

The private setup does not turn the tour into a completely flexible custom itinerary. The three main experiences are scheduled admissions, and their times shape the day. You are buying a private framework around fixed distillery visits, not a day where you can change every stop on a whim.

Is $589.14 per person good value?

At $589.14 per person, the cost is high. You should compare it with what is included rather than with the price of a basic group bus trip.

The package covers private round-trip transport from Dublin, an English-speaking whiskey specialist, the Kilbeggan admission and four-whiskey masterclass, Sean’s Bar and two Sean’s tastings, plus the premium Tullamore experience with an Irish coffee, warehouse visit, cask draw, and three Tullamore whiskeys.

That is a substantial amount of included programming. You also save yourself the trouble of reaching two distilleries and Athlone independently. Public transport could be possible for parts of the route, but arranging three separate stops, matching opening times, and returning safely after tastings would take work.

Still, lunch is extra, and the price does not suit every budget. If your priority is simply trying Irish whiskey, Dublin has less expensive options. If you value private guiding, countryside travel, and access to two contrasting distillery experiences in one day, the cost becomes easier to defend.

The fact that the tour is often booked well ahead, around 107 days in advance on average, suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. That is especially important for a private day with scheduled distillery admissions.

Who should book this whiskey day?

I would choose this tour if you want whiskey to be the main theme of a day trip from Dublin, not just one activity among many. It is especially well suited to:

• First-time visitors who want a structured introduction to Irish whiskey.
• Experienced whiskey drinkers who want to compare Kilbeggan and Tullamore D.E.W.
• Small private groups that value their own vehicle and guide.
• Visitors who want to see rural Ireland without arranging transport.
• Anyone who prefers historic pubs and working distilleries over a city-only tasting.

It may be less suitable if you do not drink whiskey, if you want a late start, or if you are looking for a cheap excursion. The minimum age is 18, and every participant should be comfortable with a 10-hour day.

The schedule is described as suitable for most people, and the tour is near public transportation, but pickup is specifically arranged from your hotel lobby. If you are booking through a travel agent or third party, make sure the operator receives your clients’ phone number for coordination.

Seven practical details to settle before booking

The tour is offered in English and confirmation arrives when you book. Mobile tickets are supported, and group discounts may be available, so ask about the discount if several people are traveling together.

Pickup starts at 8:30 a.m. from your hotel lobby. Have breakfast beforehand or make a clear plan with your host for the lunch stop, since lunch itself is not part of the price.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The included tastings add up across the day: four Kilbeggan whiskeys, two Sean’s pours, and three Tullamore whiskeys, along with the Irish coffee. Pace yourself, eat lunch, and use the drive between stops as a break.

Should you book the Old Kilbeggan and Tullamore D.E.W. tour?

Book it if you want a private, whiskey-first day with safe transport, a dedicated host, two different distillery styles, and a memorable pub stop in Athlone. The contrast between old Kilbeggan and modern Tullamore D.E.W. gives the day a clear shape, while Sean’s Bar adds a welcome piece of Irish character.

Skip it if $589.14 per person feels uncomfortable, if you prefer a short tasting close to Dublin, or if lunch being separate is a nuisance. For the right group, though, this is a well-planned way to leave the city, taste seriously at the source, and return without having to manage the road yourself.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. Your host will meet you in the lobby of your hotel.

How long does the experience last?

The full tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Is transportation from Dublin included?

Yes. Private round-trip transportation from Dublin is included, with executive transport between the whiskey stops.

Which places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Old Kilbeggan Distillery, Sean’s Bar in Athlone, and the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience.

How many whiskey tastings are included?

Kilbeggan includes a tasting of four whiskeys. Sean’s Bar includes Sean’s Blend and Sean’s Single Malt. Tullamore D.E.W. includes a tutored tasting of three Tullamore whiskeys.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.