Jameson Distillery or Teeling Distillery: Which is Better?

Dive into Dublin’s whiskey culture with tours of the Jameson Distillery and Teeling Distillery. Learn about Jameson’s history and Teeling’s hands-on experience tours, and find out which of these offers the best tasting tour and value for your visit.

Dublin is renowned for its many distilleries and welcomes millions of whiskey lovers every year looking to savor and taste its liquid gold.

Jameson Distillery and Teeling Distillery stand tall among Irish whiskey distillers for their unique touring and tasting experience.

With both distilleries being the best on many fronts, tourists are often confused about which to visit first and which to avoid based on factors like itinerary, budget, duration, etc.

Here’s our take on which of the two—Jameson Distillery and Teeling Distillery—offers the best experience and the one you shouldn’t miss at all costs!

Jameson Distillery or Teeling Distillery: What’s Best for You

There are three reasons why visitors select one of these two attractions: 1) They want to visit an operating distillery, 2) they are on a budget and can book only one whiskey tour, and 3) They have time only to experience one Irish whiskey tour.

If you’re confused about which tour to select, here’s a table about the Jameson and Teeling distilleries to help you decide better:

AttractionJameson DistilleryTeeling Distillery
LocationBow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 713-17 Newmarket, The Liberties, Dublin 8
Cost€31 to €89€20 to €35
Duration40 minutes1 hour
Timings10 am to 6 pm11 am to 6 pm
Tour TypeGuided tourGuided tour
ExperienceFeatures exhibits, includes comparative whiskey tastingHands-on experience, observe live whiskey production
Drink IncludedComparative whiskey tasting + complimentary drinkTasting of selected Teeling whiskeys for the day
Ticket PurchaseBuy This TicketBuy This Ticket

Both distilleries are situated in the heart of Dublin city and are well connected by both public and private transport. Moreover, both attractions are just 1.5 km (1 mile) away from each other, making it easy for tourists to visit both distilleries on the same day.

Jameson is no longer a working distillery; all its distilling operations are now performed at the Midleton in Cork County. Teeling, on the other hand, is still a fully operational, working distillery, and tourists get a sneak peek at how whiskey is made!

When it comes to tastings, Jameson offers a fixed comparative tasting of one of its signature spirits against an American whiskey and a Scotch. You also get a complimentary Jameson whiskey at the end of your tour.

Taste-wise, Teeling offers greater variety despite not offering a complimentary drink; you can choose from whiskey tastings to premium offerings for connoisseurs based on the ticket you select (Teeling Tour, Teeling Trinity, etc.). 

Both distilleries have their own bars—JJ Bar in Jameson’s case, and Bang Bang Bar and Phoenix Café in Teeling’s case—where you can wind down, whiskey or a cocktail in hand, once your tour ends.

Our Take

If you are looking for an operational distillery experience, we recommend the Teeling Distillery. Likewise, if you’re planning to explore more of Ireland, do visit Jameson in Dublin and then head to Midleton for the full Jameson distillery experience.

Then again, if you aren’t pressed for time, we suggest booking both tours as they offer contrasting yet complementary whiskey experiences.

Let’s now examine what each distillery offers and how they can enhance your Irish whiskey touring experience.

Jameson Distillery Tour

A front-side view of Jameson Bow Street Distillery on a cloudy dayPin
Image: Dublinlive.ie

The Jameson Bow Street Distillery was where John Jameson distilled Ireland’s first whiskey. 

While it today functions as a Visitor Experience Center, there’s still a lot more to explore and learn about the attraction.

The first two legs of the tour involve visiting the live maturation warehouse and learning about the whiskey-making process. 

The tour’s third leg involves tasting some Jameson straight from the barrel! 

Though none of the whiskey is distilled here anymore, you can still view the oak barrels—vats and kegs included—once used to store them.

The tour ends at the John Jameson (JJ) Bar, where you can savor a signature Jameson cocktail. Any extra tipple is not included with your ticket; you need to buy it separately.

Ticket Price 

Adult (18+ years): €31 

Book This Tour

Note: You can buy reduced tickets for children aged 17 years and under on-site

Looking for something more premium and memorable? Book the Jameson’s Black Barrel Whiskey Blending Class experience. 

The Teeling Distillery Experience

Small Batch, Single Malt, and Distillery Exclusive expressions at Teeling DistilleryPin
Image: Teelingwhiskey.com

Unlike Jameson, Teeling is a functioning distillery, and you can walk through the room where whiskey is being made. You also get to learn how to taste it properly.

Teeling holds the distinction of being the first new-age distillery to be opened in Dublin in the last 125 years!

There are three tasting options to choose from when you tour the distillery. The ‘Teeling Tasting Tour,’ which is the cheapest Teeling tour experience, lets you taste Small Batch blends and a cocktail.

The ‘Teeling Trinity Tour’ features Small Batch, Single Grain, and Single Malt Whiskeys, offering a more premium experience for visitors touring the distillery.

Teeling’s ‘Distillery Select Tasting’ is specifically designed for whiskey connoisseurs as it offers Teeling’s flagship whiskeys—Small Batch, Single Malt, and Distillery Exclusive expressions.

Ticket Price 

Teeling Tasting Tour (18+ years): €20

Teeling Trinity Tour (18+ years): €25

Distillery Select Tasting (18+ years): €35

Book This Tour

Visiting Jameson and Teeling Distilleries with Kids

If you are planning a family visit to the Jameson Distillery or Dublin’s whiskey distilleries, it’s essential to understand their policies regarding minors aged 17 years and below.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery Child Policy

Children under 10 years of age can join the Teeling Distillery tours for free, while those aged 10 years to 17 years can purchase discounted tickets on-site. 

Do note that these discounted tickets aren’t available online and to secure them, you must email reservations@teelingwhiskey.com in advance. 

Teeling offers an immersive experience in a fully operational distillery, providing insights into the whiskey-making process. 

As most of the tour is around alcoholic content, parents and guardians of accompanied kids must make informed decisions to ensure they and their families have a memorable visit.

Jameson Whiskey Distillery Child Policy

Unlike Teeling’s on-site child ticket policy, Jameson Distillery allows online booking for children’s tickets, offering a discount of over 50% for those up to 17 years old. 

This is one of the few areas where Jameson trumps Teeling in child ticket sales, as the online process is much more streamlined, making it super convenient for families planning a visit to the Jameson Bow St. Distillery.

It is true that both distilleries offer engaging tours; however, as mentioned above, it’s important to note that the content is centered around whiskey production and tasting.

Families should thus consider whether this aligns with their children’s interests and age appropriateness before bringing them along on such tours.

Free Entry
If you’re looking for a free entry into Jameson Distillery or Teeling Distillery, we recommend buying the Dublin All-Inclusive Pass. This pass offers you free access to either one distillery as well as 40+ attractions in Dublin.

Featured Image: Ponddesign and Teelingdistillery.com

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Researched & written by
Mark thrives on the serenity of mountains, the comfort of coffee, and the depth of poetry. As a traveler with a strong passion for history, he delves deep into the cultures and cuisines of the places he visits, often making friends with local cats and dogs along the way. His extensive travels provide a rich foundation for his writing, filled with authenticity and insightful tips for everyone. Mark’s articles capture the unique spirit of each destination, serving as an invaluable guide for explorers. Favorite travel movie: Spotlight. Next destination: Italy

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