Just a stone’s throw from Smithfield Square, the stone walls of the Jameson Distillery (Old Jameson Distillery) tell more than two centuries of Irish whiskey history. It was here on Bow Street that one of Ireland’s best-known brands grew. However, the site has not produced whiskey since 1975: today, it offers an immersive experience combining history, an introduction to the production process and tasting.
Jameson Distillery Bow St. is one of Dublin’s most popular attractions. Accessible to connoisseurs and the simply curious alike, it offers an insight into the differences between the brand’s main whiskeys, explores Smithfield’s industrial heritage and allows adult visitors to take part in a guided tasting.
Jameson Irish whiskey – © bizoo_n – stock.adobe.com
The story of Jameson on Bow Street began in the late 18th century. A distillery was established on the site in 1780 by John Stein, a member of a prominent family of Scottish distillers. John Jameson, himself born in Scotland, took over its management in 1786 before becoming its owner a few years later.
Thanks to his business acumen and close attention to the quality of the whiskey, John Jameson quickly expanded the operation. His name gradually appeared on the bottles before becoming that of a true family dynasty.
During the 19th century, the Bow Street distillery experienced spectacular growth. It covered several hectares and included workshops, warehouses, courtyards, malting facilities and various services for employees. Its organisation and scale earned it the nickname “a city within a city”.
For much of the 19th century, Dublin was one of the world’s main centres of whiskey production. Bow Street developed alongside other major distilleries in the capital, notably those of the Powers, Roe and Teeling families.
Dublin whiskey enjoyed an excellent international reputation at the time. Jameson expanded its exports and gradually became one of the industry’s leading names. At its peak, the Bow Street distillery employed hundreds of workers and played a central role in Smithfield’s economic life.
The industry then endured several difficult decades. Trade wars, Prohibition in the United States, international conflicts and the rise of blended Scotch whisky weakened the Irish industry.
In 1966, John Jameson & Son merged with John Power & Son and the Cork Distilleries Company to form Irish Distillers. Production left Bow Street for good in 1975, transferring to the new Midleton distillery in County Cork.
All Jameson whiskey is still produced in Midleton today. The Dublin site is therefore a former distillery converted into a visitor attraction, rather than an active production facility. Since 1988, Irish Distillers has belonged to the French Pernod Ricard group.
Completely redesigned to welcome visitors, Jameson Distillery Bow St. retains several features of the historic complex. Its contemporary exhibition design uses projections, objects, aromas and tasting spaces to trace the brand’s history.
The main tour, called Jameson Experience with Tasting, lasts around 45 minutes. Accompanied by a Jameson ambassador, visitors pass through several areas dedicated to the distillery’s origins, raw ingredients and the stages of whiskey production.
This is not a conventional production tour: visitors will see neither a bottling line nor working stills. The experience relies mainly on interpretation, audiovisual installations and tasting. This is worth knowing before booking, especially if you are hoping to see a working distillery.
The tour presents the main stages of whiskey production: grain preparation, mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and blending. In particular, it explains the role of malted and unmalted barley, water, yeast and casks in creating the aromas.
Jameson is particularly known for its triple distillation, which is used to achieve a generally smooth and balanced profile. This technique is characteristic of many Irish whiskeys, but it is not compulsory: not all distilleries in Ireland use it systematically.
Contrary to what the image of a dark whiskey might suggest, classic Jameson does not have a heavily smoky character. Its profile is more commonly associated with notes of grain, vanilla, sweet spice and wood, developed during maturation and blending.
The main tour includes a comparative tasting of three Jameson whiskeys. It offers the chance to observe differences in colour, nose, texture and flavour while learning a few simple techniques for tasting whiskey.
A Jameson signature cocktail is also included in the standard experience. Those who do not drink alcohol and underage visitors receive a non-alcoholic drink instead of the scheduled tastings.
The tasting is shorter and more structured than that described in some older presentations of the site: it is no longer a blind tasting of five Irish whiskeys. The exact content may nevertheless vary depending on the option booked.
Bow Street offers several activities beyond the classic tour. Visitors can take part in a cocktail-making workshop, learn the basics of blending or choose a more intimate tasting held in John Jameson’s former office.
The standard option is the best choice for a first visit. Lasting 45 minutes, it is available from €26 in 2026 and includes a guided tour, a comparison of three whiskeys and a signature cocktail.
The Secret Whiskey Tasting offers a more intimate introduction to several premium expressions. An experience involving a draw taken directly from a cask is also held in a maturation space still in use on site. Finally, the cocktail and blending workshops are aimed at visitors wishing to explore further.
As options, availability and prices may change, it is best to check the official Jameson Distillery Bow St. website before your visit.
Children can join the main Bow Street tour when accompanied by an adult. Naturally, they cannot take part in alcoholic tastings and receive a non-alcoholic alternative.
Specialist activities, such as cocktail-making workshops, blending sessions and premium tastings, are reserved for those aged 18 and over. The classic tour remains of interest to teenagers drawn to industrial history and interactive displays, although the experience is primarily aimed at adults.
The entire venue is accessible to wheelchair users. If you have particular requirements, it is still advisable to contact the team before booking.
The distillery is just beside Smithfield Square. From Temple Bar, allow around 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Smithfield station on the Luas Red Line also provides easy access to the area from central Dublin.
The standard tour lasts 45 minutes, though it is best to allow between one hour and one and a half hours on site. This extra time allows you to browse the shop and enjoy a drink at JJ’s Bar after the tour.
Tours depart several times a day, usually at close intervals. Online booking is strongly recommended: the most popular time slots may sell out at weekends and during holidays. Opening times vary by season, and the final tour begins before the building closes.
The tall chimney visible near Smithfield Square was once part of the industrial landscape of the former distillery. Built in the late 19th century, it was converted into an observation tower with a glass viewing platform offering panoramic views across Dublin.
Contrary to what some older guidebooks still state, climbing it is not included in the Jameson tour. The chimney belongs to a separate establishment, and public access has been interrupted on several occasions. You should therefore check availability directly with Skyview Tower before planning a visit.
Smithfield Square is home to restaurants, cafés and several places popular with Dubliners. A few minutes’ walk away, the Smithfield Chimney complex recalls the area’s industrial past, while the Lighthouse Cinema offers a programme combining new releases and independent films.
Continuing towards the Liffey, you can reach St Michan’s Church, known for its crypts, before crossing the river towards Christ Church, Dublinia and Dublin Castle. The distillery can therefore easily be combined with half a day exploring the western part of the historic centre.
Is Jameson whiskey still made in Dublin?
No. Production left Bow Street in 1975. All Jameson whiskeys are now made at the Midleton distillery in County Cork.
How long does the Jameson tour in Dublin last?
The classic tour lasts around 45 minutes. Allow up to one and a half hours on site if you would like to enjoy the bar and shop.
Do you need to book Jameson Distillery Bow St.?
Booking in advance is strongly recommended. The attraction is very popular, and some tours may be fully booked, especially at weekends and during the high season.
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Bow Street, Smithfield, Smithfield (County Dublin) - Republic of Ireland
53.348350, -6.276775
1 heure
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