REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller
Book on Viator →Operated by Thoran Distillery · Bookable on Viator
When gin meets the maker, it gets interesting fast. This Þoran Distillery visit in Reykjavík mixes a master distiller-style talk with tastings of award-winning Marberg gin, plus real insight into botanicals, equipment, and gin styles. I love how personal it feels, and I also love that you actually taste the product while the story is fresh in your head. One possible drawback: it is short and intimate, so if you want a big, high-energy, factory-style spectacle, this will feel more like a focused craft chat.
You’ll walk into a harbor-area tasting experience and come out with a better sense of what makes a gin taste like itself. The group is capped at 10, so questions and conversation aren’t an afterthought. And yes, the tour runs in English, so you can follow the details without playing catch-up.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start is a comfort when you’re juggling weather and plans in Iceland. You’ll also get a mobile ticket, and service animals are allowed, which makes it easier to plan responsibly if you’re traveling with a companion.
In This Review
- Key hits you can count on
- Þoran Distillery in Reykjavík: Why This Gin Tour Works
- Stop at Þoran Distillery: From Still to Flavor
- Marberg Gin Tastings: What You’ll Taste (and Why It Matters)
- The Host and the Stories: Getting the Maker’s Angle
- Price, Time, and Group Size: What $39.99 Really Buys
- Where It Fits in Your Reykjavík Day (Without Stress)
- Who Should Book (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book Þoran Distillery’s Gin Tour with the Master Distiller?
- FAQ
- How long is the gin distillery tour and tasting at Þoran Distillery?
- What is the price per person?
- Where does the tour take place?
- What’s included with the admission ticket?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- How big is the group?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key hits you can count on
- Master distiller perspective with practical talk about what goes into making Marberg gin
- Þoran Distillery in Reykjavík with a convenient harbor-area location near central areas
- Small group size (max 10) for a conversation-friendly pace
- Distillation equipment + gin styles explained so tasting makes sense
- Marberg gin tastings are included as part of the admission
Þoran Distillery in Reykjavík: Why This Gin Tour Works
There’s a certain kind of gin tour that feels like a hallway tour of glassware. This one is different because the focus stays on the craft and the choices behind the liquid. You’re not just looking at a still. You’re learning what goes into making Marberg gin, Þoran Distillery’s first product, and how the distillation process and botanicals connect to flavor.
I like that the host doesn’t treat gin as a museum piece. The conversation includes differences between gin styles, so you can start tasting with intent instead of guesswork. It also helps that the whole experience is short and structured (about 1 to 1.5 hours). In Reykjavík, where days are tight and tours can run long, that matters.
The price is $39.99 per person, which is not “cheap.” But you’re paying for a small-group, English-language session that includes tastings and direct access to the distiller’s perspective. If you enjoy spirits and want an authentic Iceland-made product without wasting half a day, this fits well.
One more practical note: the tour uses a mobile ticket, and the activity is offered near public transportation. That’s helpful when you’re moving around city center and don’t want to build your day around one far-off pickup point.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
Stop at Þoran Distillery: From Still to Flavor
The main event is your stop at Þoran Distillery, where you learn what goes into making Marberg gin and why the distillation setup matters. Expect a guided walk-through that connects the “what” (ingredients and botanicals) with the “how” (the process and equipment).
This is where the tour earns its keep. When someone explains the distillation equipment and how it affects what you taste, it turns the tasting into a lesson. You start noticing how aroma and spice move differently from one expression to the next. Even if you don’t know gin jargon, the host frames it in plain language: botanicals, process choices, and how gin styles differ in general terms.
A good sign here is that the experience doesn’t feel like a scripted lecture. In the best moments, you’re chatting about motivations and how the brand grew. One thing I’d watch for is pacing. Because it’s a small group, you may spend more time discussing what you care about. That’s great if you’re curious, and it can be less great if you want everything to stay rigid and strictly timed.
Also, the tour includes admission, and the tasting is part of the experience. That means you’re not paying and hoping the pours will make it worth your time. The tasting is baked in.
Marberg Gin Tastings: What You’ll Taste (and Why It Matters)
Tasting is the whole point, and this tour puts Marberg gin front and center. You’ll be guided through tastings as part of the visit, so you’re not stuck sniffing a glass in silence. The host explains botanicals used in the gin and then gives you a chance to taste so the explanation sticks.
In practice, tastings can include multiple Marberg gins and more than one way to try them. Some sessions lean into cocktail-style serving as well, including mixed drinks built from different Marberg gin expressions. In other moments, you might also see additional spirits appear alongside the main Marberg pours. The common thread is that you get enough variety to notice patterns, not just one flat flavor profile.
Here’s the value for you: you leave with a better “buying brain.” If you like the Coast Guard-style / naval-proof style you taste, you’ll know what to look for later on shelves and in bars. If a more classic profile wins you over, you can steer your purchases toward that. Even if you buy just one bottle, you’ll make a more confident choice.
If you plan on bringing bottles home, it can help to ask about packaging options before you buy. One helpful detail from past visits: the distillery has provided travel-friendly bottle protection for people taking purchases back to their hotel and beyond.
The Host and the Stories: Getting the Maker’s Angle
One of the biggest reasons this tour scores so high is access. You’re not just getting a guide reading facts off a board. You’re getting the distiller’s perspective, and you’ll likely end up talking more than you expected. The host name that comes up in past visits is Biggie, and he has a knack for making the craft fun while still keeping it grounded in real work.
This kind of storytelling matters because it connects the bottle to the person who made it. You’ll hear about motivations, how the business got started, and what it takes to keep improving. That’s the difference between a souvenir shopping stop and a genuine craft experience.
There’s also a strong product focus. People walk away talking about the gin itself, not just the experience. If you’re the type who likes to understand how ingredients behave, you’ll probably enjoy the conversation about botanicals and how they show up in different gin styles. If you’re more of a casual “I’ll taste it and decide,” you’ll still get enough structure to taste intelligently.
The sessions can feel casual and intimate, which is a plus when you’re tired from the day’s walking. It is also a good fit for small groups, since you can actually talk back and ask follow-ups instead of waiting in line for your turn.
Price, Time, and Group Size: What $39.99 Really Buys
At $39.99 per person, this is a mid-range experience for Reykjavík. The thing that makes it feel fair is the combination of small group size (max 10) and included tastings tied directly to the tour topic. You’re not paying for a large tour with limited access. You’re paying for a short, focused session with real conversation.
The timing is also realistic. Expect about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. That means you can fit it into a day without breaking your schedule. It’s a great way to end an itinerary too, because it gives you a final Iceland-specific taste to remember.
Advance booking is common, with an average booking window of about 47 days. If you’re traveling in peak season or on a tight schedule, I’d secure your spot early. It’s not just about availability. Small-group tours are easier to manage for the distillery, and that often leads to better pacing and more personal attention.
One more practical value point: because it’s in English and designed for most people to participate, you don’t need special knowledge to enjoy it. If you’re brand new to gin, you’ll likely come out more confident choosing what to try next.
Where It Fits in Your Reykjavík Day (Without Stress)
This is located in Reykjavík’s harbor area, and it’s often described as close to central spots where visitors spend time. That makes it easier to plan: you can pair it with a morning or afternoon of city walking and then use the tour as a planned “break with purpose.”
If you’re thinking of timing, here’s a simple approach:
- Aim for when you’re not rushing to catch a bus across town.
- Bring a bit of curiosity about spirits, botanicals, and flavor differences.
- If you’re doing multiple tastings elsewhere, leave this as your main gin focus so it doesn’t blur into a tasting blur.
Because the duration is short, it’s also a good choice on days when the weather turns or your schedule gets unpredictable. You can keep the rest of your day flexible and let the tour be the stable anchor.
And yes, the experience uses a mobile ticket. That’s one less thing to worry about when you’re moving around with phones, maps, and changing weather. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start gives you one safety net if plans shift.
Who Should Book (and Who Might Skip It)
Book it if you want Icelandic gin with real maker access, and you care about understanding why a spirit tastes the way it does. This works especially well for couples, friends, and small groups who like guided conversation and hands-on tasting.
It’s also a smart pick if you’re planning to buy a bottle anyway. The tour teaches you enough that your purchase feels like a decision, not a gamble.
Consider skipping if your idea of a distillery tour is mainly about big production tours, lots of glass and steel spectacle, or long formal presentations. This is more intimate and conversational. That’s a strength for most people, but it won’t satisfy someone who wants a huge, showy experience.
If you’re on the fence because you’re not sure you like gin, I wouldn’t overthink it. The tour is structured around tasting and explanation, so even if you start neutral, you’ll likely leave with clearer preferences.
Should You Book Þoran Distillery’s Gin Tour with the Master Distiller?
I’d book this if you’re in Reykjavík and you enjoy spirits, want a calm break, and like getting the story behind what’s in your glass. The combination of Marberg gin tastings, distillation process explanation, and the master distiller-style talk is exactly the kind of hands-on value you want when time and money are both limited.
If your schedule allows, get in early and plan for an unhurried hour to hour and a half. Then treat the tasting like homework you actually enjoy: taste first, listen second, and pick a bottle you’ll feel good about back home.
FAQ
How long is the gin distillery tour and tasting at Þoran Distillery?
It runs about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.), depending on the flow of the session.
What is the price per person?
The price is $39.99 per person.
Where does the tour take place?
The experience is in Reykjavík, Iceland, at Þoran Distillery.
What’s included with the admission ticket?
Admission is included, and the visit includes a tasting of Marberg gin.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. The tour is offered in English.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
