Five drams, one focused hour. This small-group Belfast experience takes you into single-cask whisky, starting with a welcome dram and ending with a special moment led by your guide, Sam.

I like how straightforward it is: 5 drams of single-cask, single-malt whisky are included, so you know what you are getting before you arrive. You also get Sam’s hands-on guidance as you move through whisk(e)y from Scotland and Ireland to other corners of the category.

One heads-up: dinner is not included, and any extra whisky you want after the 5 drams will cost extra. Plan your meal first, then settle in for the tasting.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• 5 drams included: You get the heart of the experience right away, without gambling on add-ons.
• Single-cask focus: You taste from specific casks, which helps you notice differences you might miss with blended pours.
• Sam is the engine: The evening centers on an encouraging, teach-as-you-go host who keeps the session enjoyable.
• Small group size (max 7): Better questions, less waiting, and more time for your glass.
• Start right at Hearth199: You meet in a real Belfast venue, above the Hearth Bar, so you are in the right mood fast.
• English language experience: Clear explanations, good flow, and easy participation for most visitors.

Finding Hearth199 and Getting Set for a Whisky Night

The experience meets at Hearth199, on Upper Newtownards Road in Belfast, above Hearth Bar (the address listed is 195-199 Upper Newtownards Road). For timing, think of this as an evening sit-down tasting, not a daytime activity. The sessions run Wednesday through Saturday, with a window that starts at 6:00 PM.

What I like about this setup is the convenience. Upper Newtownards Road is easy to reach, and the tour notes say you are near public transportation. So you can pair this with a Belfast dinner plan nearby, or even do it as your main evening event.

When you arrive, you are not left hanging. You are greeted and the night begins with a dram. That first pour matters because it immediately tells you the tone: this is a whisky appreciation night built around tasting, not just listening.

And because the group is capped at 7 people, you will not feel like you are sharing a classroom with a busload of strangers. It tends to make the guide more responsive, too.

What the 5-Drams Single Cask Tasting Really Means

At the core, you are paying for a guided tasting built around 5 drams. Alcohol is included, and the pours are described as single-cask, single-malt whisk(e)y. That combination is a big deal.

Single-malt is one of the ways whisky lovers start sorting what they like. Single-cask means the samples come from distinct casks, rather than a standard repeatable blend. In plain terms: you get a chance to notice how the character shifts from pour to pour. That gives the experience a built-in logic. You are not just drinking. You are comparing.

Also, because 5 drams are included, you can budget with less stress. The price is $68.19 per person for about 1 hour, and for most people that feels like solid value because you are not paying extra per taste during the main event. If you do the math, it works out to roughly $13 to $14 per dram, before you even think about the hosting and guidance.

One more practical point: since dinner is not included, you should avoid showing up hungry and hoping the evening will include food. Whisky takes the edge off some hunger, but it does not replace dinner. Eating beforehand makes the tasting more comfortable, and your palate will be steadier for those last pours.

Sam’s Guided Path Through Whisky Origins

This experience is hosted by Sam, and the session is designed like a guided storyline. You start by getting a welcome dram, then Sam walks you through the world of whisky. The materials say this includes whisk(e)y from Scotland, Ireland, and around the world, and the aim is to lead you to a singular experience, the discovery of the venue’s original spirit.

In practice, what that means for you is you get a framework for tasting. Instead of being handed a glass and told enjoy, you get a reason to focus. Sam’s role, based on the strong feedback about his hosting, is to keep the experience encouraging and clear, while still offering real substance. The reviews highlight that Sam was not only friendly, but also very good at making the evening feel like learning without turning it into a lecture.

The most praised part of the experience is the quality of what you taste. People call it beautiful whisky, excellent whiskies, and an outstanding evening. That lines up with the format: you get five pours, and the guide has the chance to talk you through what makes each one different.

Also, the tour ends back at the meeting point. That matters because it keeps you from spending your night bouncing between venues. You can stay present with the tasting, ask questions, and not worry about the group scrambling at the end.

The Atmosphere: Small Group, Easy Conversation, Real Tasting Time

There is a quiet advantage to a max group size of 7. You are more likely to get direct attention, and you can ask the practical questions that pop up mid-pour, like what you should focus on when comparing casks. In a larger group, those questions often get pushed to the end. Here, the format supports back-and-forth.

The evening is also time-boxed. It is listed as about 1 hour. That is not a long window, but whisky appreciation can stretch fast if you stop for frequent delays. A one-hour structure can be a sweet spot: enough time to sample five drams and learn something, without turning it into a two-hour slog.

And since it starts in the early evening and runs late, you get flexibility. You can pick a slot that fits your Belfast itinerary, then still have energy for an after-tasting stroll.

A small note: it is offered in English, and the tour notes say most travelers can participate. So you should not need special training to enjoy it. If you are new to whisky, the guided approach is the point. If you already know a bit, the single-cask structure gives you a way to sharpen your attention to differences.

Price and Value: Is $68.19 Worth It?

Let’s talk value in a way that helps you decide.

You pay $68.19 for a roughly one-hour single-cask whisky session that includes five drams. That means you are not just buying access to a host, you are buying a set number of pours. In whisky experiences, that included alcohol portion is the big value lever.

Then there is the “you are not doing it alone” factor. The session is led by Sam, and multiple pieces of feedback focus on him as a strong host who explains, encourages, and keeps the evening moving. When the guide is good, you get more from each dram because you know what to listen for in flavor and character.

What you should consider is cost creep. The session includes five drams, but any extra whisky you purchase is not included in the price. The listing says additional whisky can be purchased with the help of your guide. That is helpful, but it also means you should decide ahead of time if you want to buy more. If you do, factor in a budget. If you do not, you can still leave happy after the included tasting.

For most people, the value comes from the combination of:

• Five included drams
• Single-cask, single-malt focus
• A small, guided group experience

If you want a whisky night where the main cost is predictable and the structure does the heavy lifting, this fits.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Drams

Because the session is built on tasting, your enjoyment will improve if you show up ready to taste, not just to drink. Here are a few practical habits that tend to make whisky tours better:

• Eat beforehand. Dinner is not included. A full meal helps you enjoy the flavors instead of thinking about food.
• Go in curious, not picky. Single-cask whiskies can vary. If you judge only by your favorite style, you might miss the fun comparison.
• Use the guide’s prompts. Sam’s hosting is part of what people love, so ask questions while the session is happening, not after.
• Plan your evening around it. It ends back at the meeting point, but it is still an alcohol experience, so pair it with calmer plans afterward.

If you are a whisky newcomer, treat this as a guided sampler. If you are already into whisky, treat it as a chance to train your palate on single-cask differences.

Who This Whisky Experience Suits Best

This is a strong fit if you want an evening that is:

• Small group and guided
• Built around tasting multiple single-cask, single-malt drams
• Led by a host who keeps things fun and educational

It also fits well if you are visiting Belfast and want one “bookable event” that does not require complicated planning. You meet at a known address, the session is about an hour, and it ends where it started.

Who might want to look elsewhere? If you are planning a full night out and your priority is a meal plus whisky, you will need to eat separately because dinner is not included. If you want a very long tasting session with many more pours, this one-hour format may feel short.

Still, for a first or mid-trip whisky stop, it is easy to recommend.

Scheduling Tips for Belfast Planning

The booking pattern is telling. It notes an average booking window of about 83 days in advance, which usually means these evenings can fill up. If you are traveling on a popular day, it is smart to lock it in early rather than waiting until the last minute.

Also, the experience runs Wednesday through Saturday, with sessions beginning at 6:00 PM. So if your Belfast plan includes evenings out, treat this as a natural anchor for one of those nights.

Finally, since you get a mobile ticket, you can keep it simple. Have your phone ready, show up on time, and you will be able to focus on the tasting instead of paperwork.

Should You Book the Single Cask Whiskey Experience?

If you want a guided whisky evening in Belfast that is focused, friendly, and built around real tasting, I would book it. The strongest reasons are practical: you get five included drams and you are hosted by Sam, with feedback pointing to a great mix of knowledge, encouragement, and a smooth flow.

The main reason not to book is also simple. If you want food included, or if you expect the price to cover extra whisky beyond the five pours, you may end up disappointed. Eat first, plan a budget if you want additional drams, and you will get the best of what this experience is designed to do.

If your goal is to learn how single-cask choices change what you taste, this is a compact, high-value way to do it, above a local Belfast bar, with enough time to enjoy the rest of your night afterward.

FAQ

Where is the Single Cask Whiskey Experience in Belfast?

It meets at Hearth199, 199 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 3JB, UK, above Hearth Bar. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 1 hour.

What is included in the ticket price?

The experience includes 5 drams of single-cask, single-malt whisky. Dinner is not included.

How much does it cost?

The price is $68.19 per person.

What are the days and times it runs?

The opening hours listed are Wednesday to Saturday, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, for the dates shown (08/20/2024 to 11/26/2026).

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, based on the experience’s local time.