The Roe & Co Distillery might just be one of the most unique spaces in Dublin

Brought to you by Roe & Co. Over 18s only. Please drink responsibly.

And it's home to my new favourite cocktail.

As a Dublin 8 resident, I frequently pass the gates of the Roe & Co Distillery on cycles into town. The building is impressive – it looms over one of my favourite streets – but I never thought to see what lies beyond its doors. Maybe it's because I'm not a whiskey drinker myself – I've always assumed the liquor is for the Don Drapers of the world, and can only be served neat, with no room for any sweetness or flavour experimentation.

Oh, how wrong I was.

Through work, I was lucky enough to get the full Roe & Co Distillery experience and it quickly put any misconceptions I held about whiskey to bed, opening my eyes to all the weird and wonderful ways the liquor can be reimagined.

During our visit, we were immediately taken aback by the sheer scale of the building, and how it honours its history while remaining future-focused. As we toured the grounds on raised walkways against the backdrop of enormous copper pot stills, our guide pointed out some distillery Easter eggs – the windmill tower from the original George Roe Distillery and the adjacent pear tree that continues to flower today.

On our visit, we had the chance to experience the best of Roe & Co Distillery's two workshops – the Beyond the Blend in Room 106, and the Flavours Workshop. In the former, we felt transported to a world of whiskey reverence, as our guide Aoife gave us the lowdown on blends. Her passion was clear, and I left with a much deeper appreciation for the science and story behind each bottle of whiskey.

Later, in the Flavours Workshop, we were encouraged to roll up our sleeves and shake up a cocktail of our own creation – a giddy experience that would make an ideal date night out or activity for your next friend group hang.

While both experiences stirred my curiosity and opened my mind to the world of whiskey, the jewel in the Roe & Co Distillery's crown is the Powerhouse Bar. It's a space unlike any other in the city, and the brand new menu – The Reimagined Edit – feels apt for a bar so unique. The new cocktail collection presents visitors with a choice of 12 signature cocktails geared around six flavour worlds – herbs, flowers, orchard, coffee, citrus and spice. Guests can select an ingredient and opt for a conventional or reimagined serve.

In our case, we selected coffee as our base, and opted for a conventional serve. The result? A F-Roe-Zen Irish Coffee. Deliciously creamy but with balanced flavours of bergamot, shiso and condensed milk, this lavish serve is an example of the care and quality the Roe & Co Distillery team pour into each cocktail. Almost a week later, I can still recall the cold sensation of the wonky ceramic mug – Roe & Co's take on a 'solo cup' – and I'm already planning my next visit to try it again. Top tip – sip it slowly to keep any brain freeze at bay!

As we packed our bags and bid a fond farewell to the Roe & Co Distillery, I took a minute to reflect on the preconceived notions I had about whiskey earlier that day. Sure, the purists may still enjoy it neat, but my mind had been opened to the versatility of the drink, and the care and effort that's poured into each blend, and each cocktail. Add it to your Dublin bucket list, come curious and trust us, you'll be glad you did.

Book an experience at the Roe & Co Distillery or visit the Powerhouse Bar today.