Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Eimverk’s 75-minute tour gives you a close look at Iceland’s only whisky distillery, followed by a generous tasting of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín. The interesting part is not just the drinks. You also hear how a young Icelandic company worked out how to make spirits from local ingredients in a country with little tradition of whisky production.

I like the friendly, small-group feel and the way the tasting connects each glass to a step in production. Guides such as Rock, Paul, Eva, and Niko have been especially good at mixing technical detail with stories and humor. The main drawback is location: the distillery is outside central Reykjavik, and a taxi can be costly, while the bus requires a short walk.

Key points to know before booking

• Iceland’s first and only whisky: Taste Flóki, made by Eimverk, and learn how Icelandic barley became a local whisky.
• More than three samples: The advertised tasting includes three premium spirits, but sessions have sometimes included a much wider selection of gins, whiskies, and other products.
• A practical production visit: You see the facility and follow the process from barley harvesting to the finished drink.
• Strong guides make the difference: Rock, Paul, Eva, Niko, and other hosts have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and easy conversation.
• Plan your transport: Bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik goes to Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk.
• Adults only: This is a tasting of alcoholic drinks, so nobody under 18 may join.

Why Eimverk is worth your time in Reykjavik

Iceland is famous for hot springs, waterfalls, and volcanic scenery, but its drinks tell a quieter story. At Eimverk, you get a look at a young local industry trying to make whisky and gin with ingredients that belong to Iceland.

The company makes Flóki whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Brennivín is Iceland’s traditional clear spirit, often linked with local food and drinking culture. The tour places these drinks side by side, which makes it easier to notice how different ingredients and methods shape the final taste.

This is not a grand old distillery with centuries of family tradition. That is part of its appeal. You hear about the short but determined story of Icelandic whisky production and the practical problems of building a spirit brand in a country where whisky-making is still new.

I especially like that the visit does not stop at a polished tasting room. You are taken into the production area and shown how the work begins with barley. That link between raw material, equipment, aging, blending, and the final glass gives the tasting a clear purpose.

Arriving at the distillery from central Reykjavik

Eimverk is in the Capital Region rather than in the middle of Reykjavik. If you use public transport, take bus number 1 from downtown to Ásgarður, then walk for about eight minutes.

The bus is the sensible low-cost choice, but allow time to find the correct stop and walk. One of the useful details here is that the route has been described as easy once you follow the directions carefully. Still, check the current bus schedule before setting out, since the experience has a fixed starting time.

A taxi is simpler, especially if you are traveling with several people. It can also be the better choice after the tasting, since you should not drive after drinking. The downside is price. One booking party reported paying about £40 each way from Reykjavik, so check the fare before committing.

Parking has been reported near the entrance, although the exact arrangement may not be obvious when you first arrive. If you are driving, ask the distillery staff where to leave the car.

The meeting point information says the site is wheelchair accessible. Children under 18 are not permitted, so this is an adults-only stop.

The welcome drink and Icelandic whisky story

The tour begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. Some sessions have included a gin and tonic at the start, which sets a relaxed tone before the formal tasting begins.

Your guide then explains how whisky came to be produced at Eimverk. This opening is useful because it gives you context before you taste anything. You learn about the company’s approach, its use of Icelandic ingredients where possible, and the work involved in developing its whisky line.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Rock has been praised for his storytelling and technical explanations, while Paul has been noted for detailed distilling knowledge and a lively presentation. Eva and Niko have also been singled out for warm, clear hosting.

Guide assignments can change, so do not book expecting a particular person. What you can expect is an English or Icelandic-speaking guide and plenty of room for questions.

The presentation is not a lecture that leaves you sitting quietly for an hour. You can ask about the drinks, production methods, Icelandic history, or the oddities of making spirits in Iceland. That relaxed exchange helps make a small group feel personal.

Learning how barley becomes Flóki whisky

The most useful part of the visit comes when you move into the production facility. Here, the guide explains the process from barley harvesting to the finished liquor.

The exact amount of time spent in each area can vary, but the goal is clear: you see how the spirit develops rather than simply hearing tasting notes. The production visit also gives you a chance to take photographs of the equipment and work area.

Eimverk’s use of local ingredients is a recurring theme. The company tries to use ingredients that can be grown in Iceland where possible, which gives the products a distinct sense of place. The guide explains how those choices affect the character of the whisky, gin, and other spirits.

Some tastings have included unusual expressions, such as birch whisky and a smoked sheep dung whisky. These are not just novelty names. They show the distillery testing local materials and smoke styles in ways that differ from standard Scotch or American whisky traditions.

If you are a serious whisky fan, the technical side may be the main reason to book. If you are not a spirit drinker, the production story still gives the visit structure. You are not expected to arrive already knowing the difference between every style.

The tasting: Flóki, Vor, Víti, and more

The listed tasting includes three premium spirits: Flóki Icelandic whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. In practice, the number of samples may be larger. Several sessions have offered nine, twelve, or even thirteen spirits, including different whiskies and gins.

You should treat that wider selection as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed part of every booking. The official inclusion is three premium spirits, and the exact range may depend on the session, stock, or guide.

The tasting is presented in stages. You first sample some of the products before visiting the production area. After the facility walk-through, you return to the tasting room for the second part.

This arrangement works well. The first samples give you a baseline, then the production explanation helps you understand what you are drinking when you return to the table. The guide also shows you a sensible way to taste a new spirit, helping you notice aroma, flavor, strength, and finish.

Vor gin may appeal to you even if you normally avoid whisky. One useful feature of the tasting is that it places gin beside whisky and Brennivín, so you can compare the styles rather than treating the tour as a whisky-only event.

Brennivín gives the tasting a distinctly Icelandic angle. It is not simply another international gin or whisky. You get to try a spirit tied to Icelandic drinking culture and see how it fits into Eimverk’s wider product range.

Come with food in you. The tour does not include a meal, and the tasting can be extensive. One of the practical warnings from past sessions is not to arrive on an empty stomach, especially if additional pours are offered.

A small-group setting with room for conversation

Group size can vary. Some sessions have had around ten people, while others have been limited to four, two, or even a private-feeling pair.

A small group is a real advantage here. You can ask questions without interrupting a large presentation, and the guide has more time to discuss your reactions to each drink. The tasting also becomes more social, since the people at the table often compare what they notice.

The atmosphere is informal rather than formal or ceremonial. Guides have used humor, personal stories, and even occasional magic tricks to keep the session lively. That helps the 75 minutes pass quickly, though it can also mean the formal walk-through feels shorter than expected.

One fair criticism is that the actual tour of the production area may be brief compared with the tasting. If you want a long industrial tour with access to every stage of production, this may feel limited. If you want an entertaining explanation followed by plenty of samples, the balance should suit you.

Price, timing, and overall value

The listed price is $48 per person. For 75 minutes, that is not a bargain if you count only the official three samples and a short facility visit.

The value improves if your session includes a wider range of spirits. Some people have tasted the two gins, several whiskies, Brennivín, and other Eimverk products. A welcome drink or extra samples may also be included, but you should not assume every booking will have the same number of pours.

You are also paying for access to a product story that is difficult to get elsewhere. Eimverk is Iceland’s first and only whisky distillery, so this is not a generic gin tasting that could happen in any city. You are learning about a local company, local ingredients, and the effort to build an Icelandic whisky style.

The price makes the most sense for people who enjoy whisky, gin, or production stories. It is less compelling if you do not drink alcohol or if your main goal is to see a large historic distillery.

The experience allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule depends on weather or changing plans.

Buying bottles and packing your souvenirs

The distillery sells bottles, and some people have bought travel-size whisky, gin, and branded glasses. You can also find Eimverk products at the airport duty-free shop.

The airport may be the better place to buy a full bottle if you are flying home, since duty-free pricing can be lower than the tax-inclusive price in town. This matters in Iceland, where alcohol taxes can add a substantial amount to the final cost.

If you have only hand luggage, a large bottle may not be practical unless you buy it after security at the airport. Small bottles or non-liquid souvenirs, such as glasses or volcanic rock coasters, may be easier to carry.

Ask about available products before you buy, especially if a particular whisky or gin is the reason you came. The tasting gives you a chance to decide before spending more money.

Who should book this Reykjavik tasting?

I would choose this tour if you enjoy whisky, gin, or learning how local food and drink are made. It is especially good for couples, small groups, and anyone who likes an informal host rather than a scripted presentation.

It also works for the person in your group who is not a whisky fan. The gin, Brennivín, and unusual expressions give the tasting more range than the name might suggest. You may find the welcome gin and tonic or fruit-based gin more appealing than the whisky.

I would be more cautious if you have limited time in Reykjavik and do not want to spend part of the day traveling outside the center. The bus is affordable, but a taxi can be expensive. I would also skip it if you want a food pairing, because food is not included.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you want a friendly, local look at Icelandic spirit-making and a tasting that may go well beyond the three advertised samples. The guides are the heart of the visit, and hosts such as Rock, Paul, Eva, and Niko have made the experience informative without making it stiff.

The main trade-offs are the out-of-center location, the lack of food, and the fact that the production walk-through is shorter than the tasting. For a whisky or gin enthusiast, the chance to try Flóki, Vor, Víti Brennivín, and possibly several less familiar expressions makes the $48 price reasonable.

My practical advice is simple: eat first, use the bus if you want to save money, take a taxi if convenience matters, and leave room in your checked luggage or airport shopping plan for a bottle.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The experience lasts 75 minutes, including the introduction, tasting, production-area visit, and final tasting session.

What drinks are included?

The advertised tasting includes Flóki whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Some sessions may include additional Eimverk whiskies, gins, and other spirits.

Is Eimverk Iceland’s only whisky distillery?

Yes. Eimverk produces Flóki, described as Iceland’s first and only whisky.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in English and Icelandic.

How do I reach the distillery by bus?

Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then walk for about eight minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so it is sensible to eat before the tasting.

Can children join the tour?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity information states that the distillery is wheelchair accessible.