Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller

Gin, minus the classroom vibe. This Þoran Distillery experience puts you in a small group setting in Reykjavik’s harbor area, guided by host Biggie with a distiller-focused story and real tasting time.

I love the Marberg gin tastings, because you learn the why behind the flavor, not just the sell. The tour also builds in cocktail-style drinking, so the botanicals and gin style differences make sense fast.

One heads-up: the whole visit is about 1 to 1.5 hours, and with a max group size of 10, it stays intimate rather than sprawling. If you want a long, production-heavy walk-through, this is more of a sharp tasting and Q&A session.

Key highlights you should care about

• Host-led distiller perspective from Biggie, with humor, personal backstory, and lots of conversation time
• Marberg gin tastings tied to gin styles and botanicals, not just random pours
• A cocktail component built around their gins, so you taste how flavors behave in mixed drinks
• Small-group format (max 10) that feels personal, and can even get close to private if the group is tiny
• Easy downtown access with a walk and nearby public transportation
• Bottle-friendly packing help, including travel-safe packaging options when you buy

Why Þoran Distillery is a smart Reykjavik gin stop

Reykjavik has plenty of places to drink, but this is different. You’re not just ordering a glass, you’re learning how the gin is made and what changes from style to style.

The other win is the tone. Host Biggie brings the distiller’s mindset, plus a relaxed, human delivery. It feels like you’re hanging out with someone who genuinely cares about gin production, packaging, and where the brand is headed next.

And because the group is small, you get more than a script readout. You can ask the practical questions, like what makes one gin style taste different, or how botanicals translate into the glass.

The 1 to 1.5 hour flow: what happens on your tour

Plan for roughly 1 to 1.5 hours of total time. You’ll spend most of that at the distillery with a structured explanation, then you shift into tasting and drinking.

The experience is set up around one main stop: Þoran Distillery. There isn’t a multi-location day, so you’re not bouncing across town or losing time to transit. That matters in Reykjavik, where weather and daylight can make “time management” feel like a sport.

You should also know the tour is in English and uses a mobile ticket. That helps if you’re moving through town quickly and don’t want to hunt for print confirmations.

Stop 1: Þoran Distillery and the Marberg gin story

Your main session centers on Þoran Distillery and their award-winning Marberg gin, which they position as their first product. You’ll get a tour of the distillation setup and hear how the team thinks about the process.

What makes this more than basic “how gin is made” talk is the focus on choices. You’ll hear about:

• the distillation equipment used in their approach
• how different gin styles can taste different
• the botanicals that go into Marberg gin and how they shape the final flavor

You also get a proper tasting element tied directly to the distillation lesson. This is the part where your brain connects the explanation to what your palate is doing.

And because the host is willing to talk through motivations and progress, the visit has a story arc. It’s not only technical, it’s personal.

Marberg tastings, cocktails, and what you can actually taste

The tasting part is the heart of why this tour feels worth it. You don’t just sample one option and move on.

A standout feature here is that you can end up tasting multiple Marberg expressions. The format often includes enough variety that you can notice differences rather than just chasing alcohol warmth.

Then there’s the cocktail side. The structure includes gin-based mixed drinks made with their Marberg gins, which is a great way to learn. Botanicals can taste one way neat, but behave differently in a drink where citrus, vermouth-like flavors, bitterness, or tonic bring other notes into play.

If your taste lean is more classic, you might run into cocktails such as a Negroni. If you’re curious about stronger gin profiles, people also highlight expressions like Coast Guard (Navy proof) in their tastings. And on some tours, a brennevin tasting may be part of the experience too.

The key point for you: you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what you actually like, whether you prefer gin neat, in high-proof styles, or in balanced cocktails.

Small-group benefits: why max 10 matters

A cap of 10 travelers changes the whole dynamic. You’re not competing to ask questions, and you’re less likely to get rushed through tastings.

When a group is small, the host can adjust. You’ll likely get more time for back-and-forth questions about production, ingredient choices, and the practical side of running a spirits brand.

This is also why the tour can feel close to private. If you’re traveling as a couple or small party, the pace usually becomes more conversational, and you spend less time watching and more time tasting and chatting.

If you’re the type who likes to learn by asking why, this format is a big plus.

Price and value at $39.99

At $39.99 per person, you’re paying for a short, host-led distillery experience with tastings included. The biggest value lever is that the ticket doesn’t feel like a token sample. It’s a guided session with multiple pours and a cocktail component.

Also, the group size stays small, which helps you justify the price. In a larger tour format, tastings can feel skimpy because everyone rotates through quickly. Here, you get more time and more attention per person.

One more value note: if you’re likely to buy a bottle afterward, this tour can pay for itself socially. You’ll know what you’re buying and why it’s good, plus you may get help with travel-safe air bag packaging for bottles. That makes a real difference if you’re flying or taking bottles back to your hotel.

Location in Reykjavik: easy to reach, built for a walk

Þoran Distillery is positioned in Reykjavik in the harbor area, and it’s described as convenient for getting to on foot from the downtown core. It also sits near public transportation.

That’s practical. You don’t need a long drive, and you won’t burn daylight figuring out logistics. When your schedule already includes museums, tours, and meal plans, a distillery stop that’s easy to reach is a good move.

Because the tour length is short, you can slot it in without breaking your day. I like this kind of plan when the weather is unpredictable and you want a solid indoor option.

Language, ticket format, and timing tips that save stress

The tour is offered in English, which helps you get the full value from the distiller talk and tasting explanations.

You’ll receive a mobile ticket, so you can keep everything in one place on your phone. That’s especially helpful if you’re bouncing between activities and don’t want to manage paperwork.

Duration runs from about 1 to 1.5 hours, so try not to schedule it right after something with a long finish time. Give yourself a small buffer for any Reykjavík timing surprises.

Lastly, this experience is often booked ahead, with an average booking window of about 47 days. If you want a spot during busy periods, I’d pick a date sooner rather than later.

Buying bottles: take Iceland gin home without the hassle

A tasting tour is only half the fun if you cannot bring the bottles back. Here, buying is part of the flow, and there’s practical support.

People highlight that when they bought bottles to take home, the distillery provided travel-safe air bags to protect the bottles. That’s the kind of detail that matters because nobody wants to pack glass like it’s a science experiment.

If you’re thinking of purchasing, go with a plan:

• Taste first, then decide
• If you know your style preferences, you’ll find it easier to choose the right bottle after the tasting education

Also, if you’re the type who likes supporting makers directly, this is one of the simplest ways to do it. You’re not just buying a souvenir, you’re backing the people behind a small spirits operation.

Who this tour suits best

This is a great match if you’re in Reykjavik and want a gin-focused experience that’s practical, not performative.

You’ll especially like it if you:

• enjoy tasting tours where you learn as you drink
• want a distiller’s perspective, including the ingredient and style reasoning
• like classic cocktail flavors and want to compare gin neat versus mixed
• prefer small groups where you can actually ask questions

It’s also a solid option if you’re traveling with mixed drink preferences, because the tasting and cocktail elements give you multiple entry points into the flavor.

And yes, if you’re not a lifelong gin person, this kind of structured tasting can convert you. The variety and explanation make it easier to find what you personally enjoy.

A balanced consideration before you book

You should book with the mindset that this is a short, intimate session, not an all-day production marathon. With the visit running about 1 to 1.5 hours and the group capped at 10, the format is designed for focus and conversation, not endless walkthroughs.

If you want a long, step-by-step look at every stage of production, you might wish for more time. But if you want a crisp distillery visit where you leave informed and holding bottles you actually picked confidently, the pacing works.

Should you book this Þoran Distillery gin tour?

Yes, if you want the best odds of leaving with real gin knowledge and real tastings, not just a quick sip and a photo. The combination of Marberg-focused tastings, a cocktail component, and a distiller-led chat gives the ticket real substance.

You should lean yes if:

• you like English-guided learning with room for questions
• you want small-group attention
• you plan to buy a bottle and want packing support

You might skip it if you prefer a longer production-only visit or you’re only looking for a bar-style drink without the ingredient and style context.

If you fit the target audience, this is a very efficient way to spend part of your Reykjavik time indoors, learn something you can use later, and bring home a taste of Iceland that feels earned.

FAQ

How long is the gin distillery tour and tasting?

The tour runs about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $39.99 per person.

What is included with the tour ticket?

Admission is included, along with tastings of Marberg gin. The format also includes tasting of multiple products and a cocktail component is part of the experience.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour’s main stop is at Þoran Distillery in Reykjavik.

How large is the group?

The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, you receive a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the distillery easy to reach in Reykjavik?

It is near public transportation and convenient for getting to from the downtown area on foot.