KNOCKEENS DISTILLERY FIELD GUIDE
Sea‑salted oak and storytelling: Inside Skellig Six18’s Step Collection on the wild Kerry coast
A fully guided 45–55 minute distillery tour in Knockeens that pairs local storytelling, hands‑on sensory experiences and an immersive AV presentation with a tasting of the limited Step Collection—this guide explains what to expect and why the expression is distinct.
Sea‑salted oak and storytelling: Inside Skellig Six18’s Step Collection on the wild Kerry coast.
On the Skellig coast, Skellig Six18 invites visitors into a working distillery where local storytellers thread Celtic myth and regional history through demonstrations of gin and whiskey craft. Over an award‑winning, fully guided visit you’ll encounter the fundamentals of distillation, an Apothecary Corner focused on botanicals, an immersive AV element and an intimate tasting that speaks to Kerry’s Atlantic‑shaped maturation and artisanal approach.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Step Collection: a limited Atlantic‑influenced expression
The Step Collection Limited Expression is a small‑batch whiskey crafted from hand‑selected casks and matured with the influence of the Skellig Coast; its profile carries layers of oak, spice and a subtle sea‑salt quality that reflect the Atlantic maturation.
Watch maturation, finishing and blending up close
The tour guides you through the whiskey‑making pathway—grain selection, distillation fundamentals and the art of maturation, finishing and blending—while the distillery expands with a new carbon‑neutral whiskey plant.
Intimate guided tastings and the Apothecary Corner
An intimate tasting session lets guests sample the Step Collection’s complex layers while an Apothecary Corner explains the botanicals used in Skellig Six18 gin and the culinary collaboration that informed the final recipe.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
The visit unfolds as a storyteller‑led sequence: a welcome and regional context, hands‑on sensory moments with botanicals, a clear demonstration of distillation and maturation, an immersive AV segment, then a guided tasting—all presented in a working gin distillery that is evolving to include a carbon‑neutral whiskey facility.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this visit suits—or doesn’t
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided visit runs approximately 45–55 minutes.
Meeting location is Valencia Road, Cahirciveen, Co Kerry, V23YD89.
The Step Collection Limited Expression may be available for purchase at the distillery, but stock is limited—check availability in advance or purchase early.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What makes the Skellig Six18 Whiskey Step Collection Limited Expression special?
The limited expression is produced in small batches from hand‑selected casks; its Atlantic‑influenced maturation and careful cask selection create a whiskey with pronounced complexity and maritime nuance.
Can I purchase the Step Collection at the distillery?
Yes—limited‑edition bottles are available for purchase at the distillery, but because stock is limited it’s recommended to check availability in advance or buy early.
What flavors should I expect in the Step Collection?
Expect layers of oak and caramel with spice and subtle maritime influences; tasters may also detect vanilla, dried fruit and a touch of sea salt.
Is a tasting included with the tour?
Yes—visitors participate in a guided tasting session as part of the tour.
Are there age limits or other participation rules?
No child under 8 years old is permitted on the tour. Guests must follow all instructions from their guide and remain with the group throughout the visit.