Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller

The most interesting part of this Reykjavik experience is the personal look at a young Icelandic gin brand from the person who makes it. At Þoran Distillery, you see the equipment, hear how Marberg gin came to be, compare gin styles, and taste the finished spirit with the Master Distiller. The harbor setting and small group keep this from feeling like a factory tour.

I like the direct access to the distiller, and I like the chance to taste more than one expression of Marberg. Some sessions have included three cocktails, while others have offered several spirits, including brennevin. The main drawback is that the exact tasting lineup may vary, so you should not assume every booking includes the same number of drinks.

• Small groups: Attendance is capped at 10 people, with some sessions feeling almost private.
• The maker leads the visit: You hear the story and production methods directly from Þoran Distillery’s owner and Master Distiller, known to some regulars as Biggie.
• Marberg is the focus: Learn about the distillery’s award-winning first product, its botanicals, and different gin styles.
• A handy Reykjavik location: The distillery is in the harbor area and within walking distance of central Reykjavik for some visitors.
• Cocktails may be part of the fun: Past tastings have included cocktails made with three Marberg gins, though the official description promises a gin tasting rather than a fixed cocktail menu.
• Good value for spirit fans: At $39.99 per person, the hour-long to 90-minute visit costs less than many organized food and drink outings in Iceland.

Meeting Marberg Gin in Reykjavik’s Harbor

Þoran Distillery offers a close look at Icelandic gin without dressing the visit up as a grand production. You enter a working distillery, meet the person behind the bottles, and spend your time on the spirit itself.

The distillery’s first product is Marberg gin. The visit explains what goes into making it, from the distillation equipment to the botanicals that shape its taste. You also learn how different gin styles vary, which is useful even if you usually order gin only in a simple mixed drink.

I appreciate this focus. You are not simply handed a sample and sent on your way. The point is to connect the drink in your glass with the equipment, ingredients, and choices behind it.

The setting also adds a bit of Reykjavik character. Þoran Distillery is in the harbor area, and several people have found it an easy walk from central accommodation. The location is near public transportation as well, so you do not need to build a full-day excursion around it.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is a compact distillery visit, not a long production tour through a large industrial plant. That is part of its appeal, but it also means the experience is best for people who want a personal introduction rather than a big attraction with many rooms and displays.

What Happens During the 60 to 90 Minutes

The visit centers on one stop, Þoran Distillery. The schedule is simple, which works well for a short Reykjavik activity.

First, the Master Distiller introduces the distillery and Marberg gin. You learn about the company’s first product and the process used to create it. The talk covers the equipment, the broad differences between gin styles, and the botanicals chosen for the gin.

This is the part where a good host matters most. The owner has been described as welcoming, relaxed, and happy to talk about the path into gin-making. The tone is conversational rather than formal, and small groups give you more room to ask questions.

Next comes the tasting. The official experience includes Marberg gin, but the number and type of samples can differ. Some tastings have included three Marberg gins, while another session offered five products and an additional brennevin. The Coast Guard, also described as a Navy proof gin, has received particular attention for its strong character.

Cocktails may also appear. One session included three drinks made with all three Marberg gins, and the bartender was praised for careful preparation. A Negroni has also been singled out as a favorite drink. Treat these as possible additions rather than a guaranteed menu, since the official description promises a tasting but does not set out a fixed cocktail list.

The visit may last about one hour or stretch to 90 minutes. A small group, or an unusually quiet booking, can make the time feel more like a private conversation. That is useful if you want to ask about distilling, Icelandic spirits, branding, or the practical challenges of building a local company.

Why the Master Distiller Makes a Difference

Many spirit tours rely on a standard script. Here, the draw is the chance to speak with the owner and maker. The host is described as open about the company’s start-up story and the motivation behind the gin.

That personal angle gives the tasting more meaning. Instead of hearing only that a botanical adds flavor, you can ask why it was chosen or how it fits the style of the gin. You can also get the maker’s own view of the product, its place in Iceland, and the future of the distillery.

The owner’s personality is a large part of the experience. The tone can be humorous and informal, and the small setting encourages conversation. If you enjoy meeting local producers, this is stronger than a polished tasting room where the staff may know the products but not the full story behind the business.

The host has also discussed plans for whiskey. That future product is not part of the confirmed experience, so you should not book this expecting a whiskey tasting. Still, the prospect gives the visit a sense of a young distillery in progress rather than a finished brand with nothing left to explain.

A word of practical advice: if you have a question, ask it. The value here comes partly from the exchange with the distiller. A quiet group may receive a more personal session, while a full group may move through the material at a steadier pace.

Understanding the Equipment, Botanicals, and Gin Styles

The distillery talk covers the equipment used to make Marberg gin. The tour does not provide a long technical breakdown in advance, but you can expect a basic explanation of how the distillation setup works and how the botanicals affect the result.

That explanation is valuable for beginners. If you are not normally a gin drinker, terms such as London dry, Navy strength, and botanical balance can seem vague. Tasting several products alongside a discussion of their differences gives you a clearer way to compare them.

You may also find this useful if you already know gin. The session gives you a chance to hear the producer’s own choices rather than relying on a bar menu or bottle label. The tasting can show how strength, aroma, and serving style change the drink.

Marberg is presented as an award-winning gin, but the tour’s real strength is not a string of medals. It is the chance to understand what is in the bottle and why. You get context for the spirit before tasting it, which makes each sample more than a quick sip.

The exact botanicals are not listed in the available tour details. That is another good reason to use the visit for questions. Ask which ingredients are most important to Marberg and how the distiller keeps the profile balanced.

The Tasting: Gin, Cocktails, and Brennevin

The tasting is the payoff, but it is not necessarily limited to one small pour. Several sessions have included multiple Marberg products, and the lineup may include different gins and brennevin.

Brennevin is an Icelandic spirit, and tasting it alongside gin gives you a broader look at local drinking culture. It also helps break up a visit that might otherwise appeal only to committed gin fans.

The Coast Guard Navy proof gin is a notable possibility for anyone who enjoys a stronger pour. High-strength spirits can taste very different from a standard gin, so take the comparison slowly and use the host’s guidance. If you prefer lighter drinks, the cocktail format may be more comfortable.

Cocktails are another reason this experience can appeal to people who do not think of themselves as gin drinkers. The bartender has been praised for using all three Marberg gins in separate drinks, with the Negroni receiving special attention. A well-made cocktail can show how a spirit works in a glass more clearly than tasting it neat.

Still, you should plan around the confirmed promise: a tasting of Marberg gin. The number of samples, cocktails, and additional spirits is not fixed in the supplied details. If a particular cocktail or bottle matters to you, ask at the start of the visit.

Is $39.99 a Good Price?

At $39.99 per person, this is a fair price for a one-hour to 90-minute guided tasting in Reykjavik, particularly if your session includes several samples or cocktails.

I would judge the value in three parts. First, you are paying for time with the maker, not just admission to a room. Second, you receive an explanation of the equipment, gin styles, and botanicals. Third, you get to taste the product and can often buy bottles afterward.

The price works best for someone who would otherwise spend money on several drinks in town. A small, guided tasting can give you more context than ordering one gin at a bar. It also gives you the chance to compare Marberg expressions in one sitting.

The value is less clear if you do not drink alcohol or have no interest in how spirits are made. This is not a general Reykjavik sightseeing tour, and there are no major city sights built into the visit. You are paying for the distillery conversation and tasting.

Bottles are available for purchase. If you want to bring one home, the distillery has provided travel-safe air bags for bottles in the past. That is a useful touch, especially for anyone flying from the United States or carrying luggage through several connections. Iceland’s alcohol import rules still apply, so check your own destination limits before buying.

How the Location Fits Into a Reykjavik Day

The harbor setting makes this easy to pair with other central Reykjavik plans. You might schedule it around a walk through the waterfront area, a meal downtown, or an evening drink.

The activity is offered in English, and it accepts mobile tickets. Public transportation is nearby, and the location has been described as walkable from central Reykjavik. The provided information does not give a precise street address or walking time, so check the meeting details carefully after booking.

The short duration helps with planning. You do not need to surrender half a day, and the visit can fit between larger outings. At the same time, alcohol tastings are best placed near the end of your sightseeing schedule rather than before a long drive or physically demanding activity.

The tour has a maximum of 10 people. That limit matters. In a small group, you can usually hear the explanation clearly and get a chance to speak with the host. A booking for two may even feel close to a private visit, though no private-tour guarantee is given.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this to gin fans first. You get several ways to compare Marberg, and the host can discuss the production choices behind each bottle.

It also suits people who enjoy local business stories. Þoran Distillery is a young company, and the conversation includes the owner’s path into gin-making, the brand’s development, and hopes for future whiskey. That gives the visit a personal edge.

You do not need to be a gin expert. In fact, beginners may get the most from the explanation of styles and botanicals. If you normally avoid gin, the cocktail tasting may offer an easier starting point than a neat sample.

Couples and small groups should find the format comfortable. The group limit keeps the visit focused, and the harbor location is convenient for a central Reykjavik itinerary.

Families with children should check the booking conditions and use their judgment. The activity is an alcohol tasting, and the supplied information confirms that service animals are allowed and most people can participate, but it does not give a specific child policy.

Small Drawbacks to Keep in Mind

The visit is not a broad Icelandic food tour. Its subject is Þoran Distillery and Marberg gin, so anyone seeking several producers or a wider survey of Icelandic spirits will need another activity.

The tasting content can also vary. Some sessions have included three cocktails or five products, but those extras are not laid out as a guaranteed part of every booking. Go expecting a guided Marberg tasting, then regard additional pours as a bonus.

The experience is offered in English only. That should not be a problem for most international visitors, but it is worth noting if you need another language.

Finally, this is an intimate visit rather than a grand attraction. You may love the personal scale, but you should not expect a long tour of a large facility. The distillery, equipment, and conversation are the point.

Booking and Cancellation Details

The experience is often booked about 47 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible during busy periods. Confirmation is received at booking, and the ticket can be shown on a mobile device.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Reykjavik time.

Should You Book the Þoran Distillery Visit?

Book it if you want a small, personal gin tasting with the person behind the spirit. The combination of equipment, botanicals, production talk, and Marberg samples gives you more than a bar stop, while the 60 to 90-minute length fits neatly into a Reykjavik day.

I would be especially keen to book if you enjoy gin, local start-up stories, or carefully made cocktails. The harbor location, small group cap, and $39.99 price make it a strong choice for a focused drink experience.

Skip it if you do not drink alcohol, want a large-scale attraction, or need a fixed tasting menu with guaranteed cocktails and a set number of samples. For everyone else, this is one of the more personal ways to meet a local Icelandic producer and leave with a better sense of what makes Marberg gin different.

FAQ

Where does the gin distillery tour take place?

The visit takes place at Þoran Distillery in the harbor area of Reykjavik, Iceland. It is near public transportation and may be within walking distance of central Reykjavik accommodation.

How long does the experience last?

The visit lasts about one hour to one hour and 30 minutes.

What does the tour include?

You learn about Marberg gin, see the distillation equipment, hear about different gin styles and botanicals, and finish with a tasting of Marberg gin.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 10 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.