Aviation American Gin
Distillery · Northwest District ·
Distillery tours, escape room, cocktail flights & bar
Distillery tours, escape room, cocktail flights & bar
"Founded by distiller Christian Krogstad and bartender Ryan Magarian, Aviation Gin is still distilled in Portland but now owned by British beverage mega-producer Diageo — though minority stake owner Ryan Reynolds (yes, that Ryan Reynolds) remains the face of the brand. Portlanders’ instinctive skepticism of outside companies scooping up local brands might wilt under the power of Aviation’s charm offensive, with an especially in-depth tour, a visit to Reynolds’ “office” that doubles as an escape room-style game, and an elegant nouveau Art Deco bar with an array of gin cocktails. The gin itself is smooth and lightly floral, easily mixable or enjoyable over ice. Aviation is open to the public Thursday through Sunday afternoons, with tours available for $35 for those who book ahead." - Nathan Williams
"I found a cost-effective, uniquely Portland option for leap-day couples: Aviation American Gin is hosting weddings on Thursday, February 29 at its Northwest Portland distillery, which is co-owned by actor and marketing master Ryan Reynolds. For $290 you get a ceremony conducted “outside of Ryan Reynolds’ office,” cocktail flights, a sheet cake, and a tour of the distillery; participants must have a marriage license and be over 21, and the offer is valid only for leap day. For those not getting married (or who don’t want to commit to the bit), Aviation is also offering $29 distillery tours." - Janey Wong
"Located in Northwest Portland, the distillery spans more than 32,000 square feet and includes a tasting room, cocktail bar, retail shop, and an escape room that masquerades as co-owner Ryan Reynolds’s office. Reynolds stars in a YouTube video (read: ad) highlighting the new space and emphasizing the immersive quality of the distillery’s tour — in other words, he puts visitors to work in what he calls the “full gin-making experience.” The brand’s history is noted as well: Aviation was originally part of House Spirits (co-founded by distiller Christian Krogstad and bartender Ryan Magarian), House Spirits moved from Corvallis to Portland in 2005 and opened on Distillery Row, Aviation was acquired by Davos Brands in 2016 and later by Diageo, and Reynolds became one of Aviation’s owners in 2018 and has gradually become the face of the brand." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
"The longstanding Portland gin company just opened a flashy new distillery and tasting room, with an onsite cocktail bar and an escape room." - Eater Staff
"I learned that a new player has joined the ownership of Portland-made Aviation Gin: actor Ryan Reynolds bought a major stake, will join Aviation’s board and serve as creative director for the juniper-berry-based spirit, and told Forbes, "I did this for one simple reason: It's the best damn gin on the planet." His representatives called him a "significant owner," but he is not the sole owner; the brand is no longer strictly a Portland gin since New York wine-and-spirits company Davos Brands purchased it in 2016, though Portland distiller House Spirits is still contracted to make the gin and Davos had previously handled marketing for House Spirits. Aviation has been steadily growing — Willamette Week estimated about 20,000 cases produced in 2016, and Forbes reported roughly a 20% production increase from 2016 to 2017 — and its craft background gives it a different reputation compared with other celebrity-affiliated liquors like Cîroc and SkinnyGirl." - Tim Forster
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