Gin lovers get a front-row view in Reykjavik. At Þoran Distillery, you’ll get the master distiller angle on how Marberg gin is made, from distillation equipment to botanicals, then you finish with tastings. I love the small, max-10 group setup, and I also love how personal it can feel when Biggie is guiding the room, mixing craft talk with real personality.

One thing to plan for: this is a tight 1 to 1.5 hour experience focused on Marberg gin. If you’re hunting a long lineup of many different Icelandic spirits, you might wish the menu were wider.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Master distiller perspective on how Marberg gin is built, not just a quick slideshow
• Small group size (max 10), which means you can actually ask questions
• Distillation + gin styles explained so tastings make sense, not just taste-test roulette
• Tasting-heavy format designed to help you compare expressions of Marberg gin
• Local-host energy that can turn a non-gin person into a buyer

Þoran Distillery gin tour: what makes it feel different

Reykjavik has plenty of tours. Most of them are big and loud, with a hard stop at the souvenir shop. This one is different in a good way. It’s built around a single distillery visit at Þoran Distillery, with a learning-and-tasting rhythm that’s easy to follow even if gin isn’t your personality yet.

The big value is that you’re not just sampling something. You’re learning what you’re tasting and why it tastes that way. The format stays casual, which matters in a distillery setting. When the mood is relaxed, you get better questions answered, and you’re more likely to enjoy the work behind the bottle.

The other “feel-good” detail: the group is capped at 10 travelers. That changes the whole tone. You can talk. You don’t vanish into the back row. And because you’re there to compare spirits, that smaller setup helps you actually keep track of what’s in front of you.

Timing, ticket, and what $39.99 really buys

The tour runs about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. At $39.99 per person, it’s positioned as an affordable spirits experience—especially because the admission ticket is included for the tasting.

Here’s how I think about that value: you’re paying for access to a working distillery experience plus guided explanation. In Reykjavik, that usually means you’re covering the cost of a host and a tasting session. With this one, the time is tight enough that it’s not a time-tax on your day, but long enough for actual instruction and multiple pours.

Booking wise, it’s a good idea to reserve ahead. This one averages about 47 days in advance. That tells me two things: demand is steady, and the distillery wants to keep groups manageable.

Also helpful if you’re planning on the move: you get a mobile ticket, it’s in English, and it’s near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, too, so it’s built to be welcoming.

Stop 1 at Þoran Distillery: the Marberg gin story you’ll remember

This tour’s itinerary is beautifully simple: you go to Þoran Distillery and focus on one product story—Marberg gin—from start to finish.

You’ll learn what goes into making Marberg gin, and you’ll see the distillation equipment. That matters because gin can sound like a mystery from the outside. When you get to look at the equipment and hear how the process works, tasting afterward makes more sense. You stop treating it like a guessing game.

You also get an explanation of different gin styles and the botanicals used in the recipe. That’s one of those details that seems small until you’re standing there with a glass. Then you realize: style and botanicals aren’t marketing words. They’re the reason two gins can both be gin but feel totally different.

One more practical point: the host keeps things approachable. People leave talking, laughing, and asking more questions. That’s a good sign for you, because it means you’re less likely to feel like you’re being lectured.

Tastings: how to get the most out of the pours

The tour includes a tasting of Marberg gin, and in real-world terms, you can expect it to be tasting-focused rather than a brief sip at the end. Some tours in this format include multiple expressions and drink-style comparisons that help you calibrate your palate.

A few examples show up again and again in the experience: you may try multiple Marberg gin options, and you might even get cocktail-style tasting such as a Negroni. There’s also mention of a navy-proof style often referred to as Coast Guard (or Coast Guard-style) gin, which is the kind of detail that helps you understand why “strong” can still taste balanced.

Here’s how to make this part work for you:

• Take a moment before each pour to notice aroma first. It’s usually where the botanicals start telling the story.
• Try to compare rather than judge. If one tastes sharper, ask what could be driving that—botanicals, style, or proof.
• Pace yourself. You’re on vacation. A tasting should be fun, not a speed run.

The best tastings are the ones where you leave with questions answered and a bottle feeling “earned.” This tour is set up to do that.

When the host is Biggie: what the personality adds

One of the strongest themes from the experience is the host relationship—casual, personal, and strongly invested in the craft. In many visits, Biggie is the name people mention, and the vibe he brings matters.

Why does that matter to you? Because gin tasting can be technical if the host leans that way. Here, the tone stays friendly enough that you’re comfortable asking, even if you don’t know the vocabulary yet. You’re still learning, but it doesn’t feel like homework.

If you’re the type who likes the human side of travel—how someone built something from scratch—you’ll likely enjoy the stories. People also talk about the humor and the way the host keeps the conversation moving while still teaching.

And yes, craft packaging shows up in the conversation too. Even if you’re not buying a bottle yet, you’ll probably appreciate the branding design enough to want one before the tour ends.

Location in Reykjavik: easy to fit into your day

This is a straightforward Reykjavik stop. It’s near public transportation, and it’s close enough that people describe it as walkable depending on where you base yourself in the city center.

Some people specifically mention it being in the harbor area of Reykjavik with a newer location setup. That matters if you’re doing a day of wandering: you don’t want to spend your limited energy fighting complicated routes just to reach a tasting.

Since the tour runs around 1 to 1.5 hours, it fits neatly into a morning block or an early afternoon slot. If you’re doing the usual Reykjavik routine—coffee, wander, maybe a museum—you can slot this between without turning your day into a logistics project.

Buying a bottle: the practical “take Iceland home” moment

One of the joys of a distillery tour is leaving with a souvenir that actually makes sense. Here, bottles are available for purchase, and it’s common to hear about people buying bottles to bring back.

A nice practical detail: some bottles are packed with travel-safe air bags. If you’ve ever had a glass bottle arrive home intact (or not), you know that detail is worth its weight in good planning.

If you’re buying, think about how you’ll use it. Some people take home multiple Marberg expressions so they can compare at home. Others buy one bottle to enjoy immediately back in their hotel. Either way, getting something you learned about makes the purchase feel less random.

Price and value: why this feels like a strong deal

For $39.99, you get more than a snack of gin. You get instruction (equipment, botanicals, gin styles), plus a tasting session. And you get the advantage of a small group that doesn’t turn your questions into background noise.

In Reykjavik, tours can vary wildly—some are long, some are scripted, and some feel like you’re paying for the privilege of standing in line. This one feels like you’re paying for access to a craft process and a host who can explain it in a way that makes you a better taster.

Also, the tour is offered in English, lasts only up to 90 minutes, and comes with a mobile ticket. Those are the unglamorous details that reduce friction, and friction kills good travel days.

Who this gin tour is best for

You’ll probably love this if:

• You enjoy spirits and want the story behind them
• You want a small-group distillery experience rather than a big group bus stop
• You’re curious even if you think you’re not a gin person yet
• You like asking questions and getting human answers

You might consider skipping it if:

• You mainly drink wine/beer and don’t enjoy spirit tastings
• You’re expecting a long, multi-stop “full-day” itinerary with lots of different themes
• You’re looking for a whiskey-focused tour (this experience is centered on Marberg gin)

Quick planning tips before you go

Here are a few things that will help you enjoy the tour more:

• Plan for a tasting. Even if you don’t drink much, take it slow.
• Wear something comfortable. Distilleries involve standing and moving a bit during the equipment part.
• Bring your bottle-buying mindset if you want one. If you decide mid-tour, you’ll already be thinking about packing it.

And if you’re booking close to your dates: reserve sooner rather than later. The average booking window suggests time slots can fill.

Should you book Þoran Distillery’s master distiller gin experience?

I’d book it if you want a Reykjavik activity that feels local, intimate, and genuinely about craft. For the money, you get a real distillery lesson plus tasting time, and the small group format makes it feel personal without being stuffy.

I’d skip it only if you strongly dislike gin flavors or you want a broader menu of spirits beyond Marberg. Otherwise, this is a smart use of your time in Iceland’s capital—short enough to fit your day, and thoughtful enough that you’ll remember what you learned when you taste gin later.

FAQ

How long is the gin distillery tour at Þoran Distillery?

It usually takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $39.99 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What ticket format do I need?

You’ll receive a mobile ticket.

What is included with the tour?

Admission is included, and you’ll have a tasting of Marberg gin as part of the visit.

Where does the tour take place?

The experience takes place in Reykjavik at Þoran Distillery.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is the experience accessible for most travelers?

Most travelers can participate.

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