The Shed Distillery: Drumshanbo, Connacht and PJ Rigney
Updated: 7 hours ago
The Shed Distillery sits in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, on the shores of Lough Allen at the foothills of Sliabh an Iarainn, the Iron Mountain. Founded by PJ Rigney and his wife Denise, it is best known for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, and it also makes Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka.
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The Shed at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | The Shed |
Country and region | County Leitrim, Ireland |
Owner / operator | PJ Rigney and The Shed Distillery |
Historical background | Irish pot still whiskey made with oats |
Whisky identity | Irish pot still whiskey made with oats |
Visitor planning | Check the producer's official site for current tours and operating hours. |
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A first for Connacht
The distillery says distilling began on the winter solstice, 21 December 2014, even before the new building was finished. It describes this as the first whiskey laid down in the province of Connacht in over 101 years. Head Distiller Brian Taft is named on the official story page alongside PJ Rigney.
Stills
Five copper pot stills: three used for Irish whiskey and two for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
Two copper column stills, used for Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka.
All were made by Arnold Holstein in Germany, according to the distillery.
The whiskey
The distillery describes its Single Pot Still as a blend of Irish malted and unmalted barley with Irish Barra oats, matured in first-fill ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, and made in small batches. Detailed ABVs, ages and the current line-up were not checked for this profile.
Visiting
The official site lists opening hours of 10am to 6pm, seven days a week, distillery tours, the Honey Badger Bar, the Curious Gift Shop and the Jackalope Café. It also quotes the Georgina Campbell guide naming The Shed its 2024 Visitor Attraction of the Year. Address: Carrick on Shannon Road, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. Confirm hours and tour prices on the official site before travelling.
The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney
The Shed Distillery says PJ and Denise Rigney laid down the first whiskey in Connacht in over 101 years on 21 December 2014, at Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, on the shores of Lough Allen. Distilling began before the new distillery building was finished. Brian Taft is named as head distiller.
Stills: five copper pot stills, three for Irish whiskey and two for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, plus two copper column stills for vodka, all made by Arnold Holstein in Germany
Whiskey: Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, using malted and unmalted barley and Irish Barra oats, matured in first fill ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks
Recognition: Georgina Campbell's Visitor Attraction of the Year for 2024
Visiting: distillery tours, the Honey Badger Bar, a gift shop and cafe
The inaugural whiskey release
The Shed Distillery made its name with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka before its whiskey was ready. A 2019 review on the WestmeathWhiskeyWorld blog covers the Inaugural Release, a single pot still at 46% ABV with Irish oats in the mash bill and oloroso sherry casks in the maturation. The reviewer notes that it is not chill filtered and has no added caramel.
The bottle label carries a claim of 105 years since whiskey was last legally made in Connacht. The distillery's own site says 101 years for the first whiskey laid down in the province, so the two figures differ by source. Both are statements from the producer, and we have not tested either.
Where the name comes from
The distillery is named for the shed where PJ Rigney first worked on his ideas. Its gin takes its name from the Drumshanbo setting and from gunpowder tea, one of the botanicals. The distillery site and retailers describe the gin as slow distilled by hand with 12 botanicals from 9 countries.
Sources and gaps
Sources: thesheddistillery.com (Our Story page), Georgina Campbell quote as printed on that page.
Gaps: owner structure and any outside investors, annual capacity, whiskey range and ABVs, tour prices were not checked.
Further source read on 21 October 2026: The Shed Distillery story page.
Further sources read on 21 October 2026: WestmeathWhiskeyWorld review of the Drumshanbo Inaugural Release (29 November 2019) and retailer product listings for Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
What makes The Shed distinctive?
Irish pot still whiskey made with oats
The Shed whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Irish pot still whiskey made with oats |
Drumshanbo Inaugural Release (historic) | NAS / release dependent | Check bottle | Historic, sourced or limited release; confirm provenance and availability. |
The table records named or historical expressions. Exact availability, strength and provenance can change; consult the producer for current details.
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Frequently asked questions about The Shed
Where is The Shed located?
County Leitrim, Ireland.
Who owns or operates The Shed?
PJ Rigney and The Shed Distillery.
What makes The Shed distinctive?
Irish pot still whiskey made with oats.
Which whiskies are documented for The Shed?
Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Drumshanbo Inaugural Release (historic). Availability varies.
Can visitors tour The Shed?
Check the producer's current tour and booking information; not all sites are open to visitors.
Sources and editorial notes
The original research and reference links have been retained. Current ownership, prices, operating status and visitor arrangements should be reconfirmed.
Image note: the cover is an illustrative whisky photograph from the Whisky Clan media library, not a photograph of this distillery or its products.
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Photo and source notes
Cover photograph: The Shed Distillery's own large black signed exterior building in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. Source: Ardcarne Garden Centre photo album. Reuse rights are not independently confirmed.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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