Jameson Distillery Dublin or Midleton: Which is Better?

Ireland has two Jameson distilleries—the Jameson Distillery Dublin, where it all began and which now offers popular tours and whiskey experiences; and the Midleton Distillery where whiskey is distilled and bottled. Discover which distillery offers the best experience in this detailed comparison!

Did you know there are two, and not just one, Jameson distillery in Ireland?

Both the Jameson Distillery Bow St (Dublin) and Jameson Distillery, Midleton (Cork), together welcome no less than 350,000 visitors every year.

90% of those making this ‘whiskey pilgrimage’ are from overseas, and their quest lies in understanding why this Irish spirit trumps the Scottish and American kinds.

The Jameson Distillery Bow St in Dublin is where it all started and remains the heart and soul of the enterprise, while the Jameson Distillery in Midleton is where the whiskey is distilled, processed, and bottled.

The distilleries are approximately 250 km (155 miles) apart from each other, and this distance makes visitors wonder which of the two is worth visiting and skipping.

Here’s everything you need to know about the two Jameson distilleries and what makes for a better tour in terms of experience and flavor. 

The Best Jameson Tour: Jameson Dublin or Jameson Midleton?

DistilleriesJameson DublinJameson Midleton
LocationBow Street, DublinDistillery Walk, Midleton, Cork County
Cost€31 to €89€31 to €60
Duration45 min to 3.5 hours75 min to 2 hours
Timings10 am to 7 pm10.30 am to 4.45 pm
ExperienceRich introduction to Jameson’s history, whiskey culture, signature tastings, and blending.In-depth tour of production, tasting in the world’s largest copper pot still, and whiskey comparisons.
Ticket purchaseBuy This Ticket Buy This Ticket

As shown in the table above, it all boils down to your location and preferences when it comes to the best Jameson distillery experience. 

For instance, if you are in Dublin, the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street is more accessible in a city-center location, and it provides a rich introduction to Jameson’s history.

With the popular Bow Street Experience, you can dive into whiskey culture and enjoy some signature tastings, as well as create your own blends in just 40-90 minutes. 

If you’re looking for an in-depth, authentic distillery tour, then Jameson Midleton in Cork County is where you should be heading. 

Why? Well, this working distillery offers a unique Behind-the-Scenes Tour, complete with insights into production and a tasting of the world’s largest copper pot still. 

For whiskey aficionados and the curious alike, Midleton stands out as the preferred choice for a comprehensive Jameson experience.

Jameson Distillery Bow St, Dublin

Tourists behind the bartending counter at Jameson Bow St. at the end of their tourPin
Image: Visitdublin.com

Established in 1780 by Scotsman John Jameson, this distillery was where Jameson’s Irish whiskey was first distilled until urbanization forced it to shift operations to Midleton.

Today, this former factory is a Visitor Experience Center—whiskey production facilities, tasting bars, and Jameson memorabilia included—which offers some awesome tours to keep you in high spirits. 

Chief among these are the Jameson Bow St. Experience tour—the cheapest and most popular tour at the Bow Street Distillery, Jameson’s Black Barrel Whiskey Blending Class, and the Jameson Distillery & Guinness Brewery Guided Tour.

Jameson Bow St. Experience tour

In terms of popularity, this is the Jameson Distillery’s flagship whiskey experience, with more than 90% of the visitors opting for this tour. 

As part of this 45-minute tour, you get to experience three different types of experiences.

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

The third part of the tour involves tasting some Jameson straight from the barrel—with the essence of this tour being ‘touch, smell, and taste.’

Your tour ends at the John Jameson (JJ) Bar, where you get to savor a signature Jameson cocktail. You can also buy a Jameson as a memento (this isn’t included with your ticket).

Ticket cost: €31 (18 years and above)

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Note: Reduced tickets are available on-site for children

Jameson’s Black Barrel Whiskey Blending Class

More of a fun and hands-on learning experience, the Jameson’s Black Barrel class is a 90-minute session hosted by a Jameson Craft Ambassador.

The blending class takes you through the very heart of whiskey making, such as deconstructing the ingredients, learning the craft, and flavor profiling the Jameson Black Barrel.

As an aspiring blender, you get to nose, measure, and mix your own personal blend to take home.

Note: This experience doesn’t include touring the distillery or tasting more whiskey, as you would have already had your tipple’s share of spirits during the blending class.

Ticket cost: €60 (18 years and above)

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Jameson Distillery & Guinness Brewery Guided Tour

The ultimate Dublin drink heritage experience, this 3.5-hour tour offers you tastings at both Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse.

What’s included is transportation in Dublin’s modern Luas tram between sites and a chance to enjoy 360° views of Dublin from Guinness’ Gravity Bar.

The first 45 minutes of the tour involves you and your group immersing yourselves in Jameson’s unique ‘Grain to Glass’ process with a comparative tasting of three distinct whiskeys.

The next leg of the tour is at the Guinness Storehouse, often regarded as the heart of Ireland’s most famous beer. 

Learn about Arthur Guinness’s vision, glance around the seven-floor former fermentation plant, and end your tour with 360° views of Dublin from Guinness’ Gravity Bar.

Ticket cost: €89 (18 years and above)

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Fancy a more exquisite whiskey-tasting experience? Book the Irish Whiskey Museum and Whiskey Tasting tour ticket. This 1-hour tour at the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin runs you through the history of Irish whiskey, followed by a tasting of three classic or four premium whiskeys.

Jameson Distillery, Midleton

Jameson distillery Midleton barrel and caskPin
Image: Irishwhiskey360.com

In 1971, the Bow Street distillery ceased all whiskey operations on account of the site becoming too big for Dublin.

The process of distilling and maturing Jameson’s liquid gold was then moved to Midleton in Cork County, which is now home to seven iconic Jameson brands as well as the world’s largest copper pot still. 

The Midleton Distillery today offers a revamped experience in a bigger, warmer, brighter facility composed of new bars, a café, and dedicated tasting rooms.  

Here are the distillery’s bestselling and most popular experiences.

The Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience

This 75-minute guided tour is hosted by a Jameson Ambassador who begins with an audiovisual presentation about the brand’s history. 

The tour involves visiting the original distillery and the Jameson Bar—where you can indulge in a three-part comparison whiskey tasting (Irish, Scottish, and American).

All ticket holders (if you are below 18 years, you will be provided with soft drinks) are entitled to a complimentary glass of Jameson at the Midleton Distillery Experience Bar.

This tour functions both indoors and outdoors, so make sure you carry a rain jacket.

Ticket cost: €31 (18 years and above)

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Jameson Midleton Behind-the-Scenes Tour & Tasting

This two-hour guided tour is very unlike most distillery experiences as it takes you deep into Jameson Midleton’s history, production, and heritage.

Short films, tours of grounds and key distillery buildings, and premium whiskey tasting experience are all part of this guided tour, helmed by a Jameson Ambassador.

Key buildings included in this tour are the Cooperage, the Maturation Warehouse, and the Distiller’s Cottage. 

If you are here for the tipple, tastings of premium whiskeys are included throughout the tour, just a stone’s throw away from the stills where they are made to this day.

Ticket cost: €75 (18 years and above)

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Note: This tour is not suitable for those under 18 years and those having mobility impairments

Jameson Cocktail Making Class

A new experience among the regular tours at the Midleton Distillery, the Jameson Cocktail Making Class offers you a fully immersive experience in cocktail-making.

With this ticket, you can enter the distillery’s dedicated cocktail-making room, where you get to create (under the guidance of a Jameson mixologist) three specially curated cocktails using the finest Irish whiskeys and local ingredients.

You’ll also receive a cocktail recipe book upon completing this class. 

Ticket cost: €60 (18 years and above)

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Awards and Recognitions

Jameson’s award-winning Crest, Black Barrel, and Signature whiskey labels Pin
Image: Battlebasta.weebly.com

With 31 million bottles sold annually and 70% of all Irish whisky sales in America belonging to Jameson, it goes without saying that both distilleries—Jameson Dublin and Jameson Midleton—have been reaping awards and recognitions over the years.

The most recent has been the 2024 Icons of Whisky competition in which Jameson won the ‘Marketing Team of the Year’ award.

It also won Gold in the ‘Single Pot Still 11 and Under’ category of the Irish Whiskey Awards 2023.

Jameson was the ‘World Whisky Brand Champion’ in 2022, beating fellow Irish brand Tullamore Dew and the U.S. Woodford Reserve to the top spot. 

Midleton Distillery, in particular, has been winning awards on the trot. For example, it won the ‘World Whiskey Producer of the Year’, ‘Worldwide Whiskey Trophy’, and ‘Platinum Medal’ in 2019.

Jameson Distillery Bow St. tour, too, has been a recipient of the ‘World’s Leading Distillery Tour’ award in 2018 and 2019. 

Opening and closing hours: Jameson Dublin and Midleton

If it’s Jameson Distillery Dublin you’re heading to, here are the season-wise opening and closing hours (the last entry is 1 hour before closing time):

From March to October (Summer Months):

  • Sunday to Thursday: Open from 10 am to 6 pm
  • Friday and Saturday: Open from 10 am to 7 pm

From November to February (Winter Months):

  • Sunday to Thursday: Open from 10 am to 5.30 pm
  • Friday and Saturday: Open from 10 am to 6.30 pm

The Jameson Distillery Midleton is open year-round from 10 am to 6 pm, making it a perfect destination for whiskey enthusiasts:

From March to October (Summer Months):

  • Experience Tours: Daily from 10.30 am to 4.45 pm
  • Behind The Scenes Tours: Two tours each day at 11 am and 3 pm

From November to February (Winter Months):

  • Experience Tours: Four tours daily at 11 am, 1 pm, 2.30 pm, and 4.15 pm
  • Behind The Scenes Tour: One exclusive tour at 3 pm

How to Reach

Both distilleries are well-connected, making day access a breeze. Here’s a breakdown of how you can reach both attractions based on your convenience.

Jameson Dublin

The Bow Street Jameson Distillery is located just off Smithfield Square in Dublin. Here’s how one can easily reach this iconic destination:

By Bus

If you’re in Dublin City Center, hop on one of the following bus routes from Aston Quay (Stop 328): 25, 25A, 25B, 25D, 37, 39, or 39A. Disembark at Usher’s Quay (Stop 1445).

By Luas Tram

You can also take the Luas Tram (Red Line) directly to the distillery. Ride the tram and get off at the Smithfield Stop, a short walk from the distillery.

Jameson Midleton

The Old Midleton Distillery is located on Distillery Walk, Midleton, Cork County. Here are some of the best travel options at your disposal:

By Train

Regular trains depart from Cork’s Kent Station to Midleton Station, providing a scenic and hassle-free journey. 

Once you arrive at Midleton Station, it’s just a 1.5 km (1 mile) walk to the distillery, which takes approximately 15 minutes.

By Bus 

Local bus services are also available and you can catch a bus heading towards Midleton and alight at the last stop on Distillery Walk, a quick and easy trip to the distillery.

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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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