Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Iceland’s only whiskey distillery makes this more than a quick sampling stop. At Eimverk, you follow the drink from Icelandic barley to finished spirit, then taste Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín with a guide who explains what is in your glass. I like the mix of technical detail and local history, and I like that the session feels small and conversational rather than factory-like. The main drawback is location: the bus works, but a taxi can be costly.

The advertised tasting includes three premium spirits, yet the amount poured can be much more generous depending on the session. Some tastings have included nine, twelve, or even thirteen samples, including different whiskey ages and unusual releases such as birch or smoked sheep dung whiskey. Eat first, take public transport or share a taxi, and remember that this is strictly for adults.

Key points to know before booking

• Taste Icelandic originals: Sample Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín, with extra products sometimes added.
• See the production floor: Follow the process from barley harvesting through fermentation, distillation, and maturing.
• Expect a personal guide: Rock, Paul, Eva, Niko, and other guides have led sessions filled with stories, humor, and tasting tips.
• Allow 75 minutes: The visit begins in the tasting room, moves to the production facility, then returns for more samples.
• Plan your ride: Bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik reaches Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk.
• Best for adults who enjoy spirits: Children under 18 cannot join, and food is not included.

Why Eimverk is worth your time in Reykjavik

Reykjavik has plenty of museums, pools, and scenic outings, but a distillery visit gives you a look at a newer side of Icelandic culture. Eimverk’s story is tied to the country’s short history of commercial spirit production, local agriculture, and the challenge of making whiskey in a place better known for fish, geothermal heat, and dramatic weather.

The visit is especially appealing because Eimverk makes products that are closely linked to Iceland. Flóki is described as Iceland’s first and only whiskey, while the company also produces Vor gin and Víti Brennivín. You are not simply tasting imported Scotch or London gin in an Icelandic room. You are learning how a local business developed its own spirits using Icelandic ingredients where possible.

At $48 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend 75 minutes in Reykjavik. Still, the price includes the tour, a live guide, and three tastings, with the possibility of a much broader sample list. If you like whiskey, gin, or the practical side of food and drink production, I find the value quite good. If you rarely drink spirits, the cost makes more sense when you see it as a small cultural tour with samples, not just a bar bill.

Arriving at the distillery from central Reykjavik

The simplest public transport plan is bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then an eight-minute walk. That makes the visit possible without renting a car, though you should leave time to find the correct stop and walk from there.

A taxi is more direct and can be useful in bad weather or when you are traveling with several people. It may also be expensive. One reported estimate was about £40 each way from Reykjavik, so sharing the ride can make a real difference. Another practical point is the return trip after the tasting. Taxis have been easy to request from the distillery, with one pickup reported within five minutes, but you should still arrange your ride before you begin drinking.

The meeting point is at the distillery itself, not a downtown bar. Check the route carefully before leaving your hotel, especially if your phone service is limited. Some people find the building easy to reach, while others find the location less obvious than central Reykjavik sights.

The facility is wheelchair accessible. Children under 18 are not permitted, and hotel pickup, drop-off, and food are not included.

The welcome drink and Icelandic whiskey story

The visit begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. This gives you a chance to settle in and meet the guide before the tasting becomes more technical.

The opening talk covers how whiskey production began in Iceland and how Eimverk developed its own approach. That background matters because Iceland has no long-established whiskey tradition on the scale of Scotland or Ireland. You are hearing about a young industry that had to build its methods, source ingredients, and develop a local identity from the ground up.

Guides have included Rock, Roc, Paul, Eva, and Niko. The exact guide depends on the date, but the strongest part of this tour is the human touch. Rock is noted for combining technical explanations with humor and conversation. Paul has been praised for storytelling and detailed distilling knowledge. Eva has connected the company’s story with Icelandic history, while Niko has led interactive tastings with clear explanations.

You should ask questions here. The format is not a silent lecture. You can ask why a spirit tastes smoky, how whiskey differs from gin, or what makes Icelandic ingredients useful. The guide can then shape the tasting around your curiosity.

Learning how barley becomes Flóki whiskey

After the introduction, the tasting begins before you enter the production area. This is a smart order because you first meet the finished spirit, then see the work behind it.

The production explanation begins with barley harvesting. From there, the guide describes the stages that turn grain into liquor, including the early preparation, fermentation, distillation, and later development of the spirit. The supplied details do not set out every technical step or promise that every machine will be operating during your visit, so think of this as a guided look at the process rather than a full working shift at a factory.

What makes the explanation worthwhile is the connection between the raw material and the glass in front of you. You can taste a whiskey, then learn how the grain, production choices, and maturation affect its character. It helps make the difference between labels and ages easier to understand.

Eimverk also experiments with striking local ideas. Samples have included Icelandic birch whiskey and a smoked sheep dung whiskey. Those names may sound like a dare, but they illustrate the company’s interest in local materials and smoke, rather than relying on a standard whiskey recipe. You might not love every unusual release, but trying it gives the tour a sense of place that a routine gin tasting would lack.

The group size can vary. Some sessions have had only two or four people, while others have included around ten. A small group allows more questions and often makes the tasting feel almost private. A larger group can bring more energy and conversation, but you may have less one-on-one time with the guide.

Returning to the tasting room for gin, Brennivín, and more

After the production-area visit, you return to the tasting room for the second half of the sampling. This is where the advertised three-spirit format may expand. Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín are the core products, but different sessions have included more of Eimverk’s range.

Some people have tasted the whiskeys by age or style, comparing how each one changes. Others have tried several gins, vodka, flavored spirits, and experimental bottles. Reports of nine, twelve, and thirteen samples show that the final number can vary widely, so do not assume that three means only three tiny pours. At the same time, the official inclusion is three premium tastings, and you should treat the larger selection as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

The guide explains how to taste each spirit, including how to notice aromas and flavors before swallowing. This is useful if you are new to whiskey or gin. You are not expected to arrive with expert vocabulary. A good guide can help you identify the difference between a smoky, sweet, herbal, or fruity note without turning the session into a test.

Vor gin can appeal to people who are not whiskey drinkers, while Víti Brennivín gives you a taste of a traditional Icelandic spirit style. Flóki is the main attraction for whiskey fans, but the range keeps the session interesting for couples or friends with different preferences.

Drink slowly. Even if the pours seem modest at first, several samples add up quickly. One practical warning is worth repeating: eat before you arrive. Food is not included, and the tasting can be extensive.

What makes the guides so important

The equipment and bottles are only half the visit. The guide shapes the entire mood.

A strong guide can explain distilling without drowning you in jargon, then switch to a story about Icelandic prohibition or the difficulties of running a small distillery. That blend is why this tour works for people who are curious about Iceland as well as people who already collect whiskey.

The best sessions are interactive. You can compare notes with the people at your table, ask about bottles to take home, and hear practical suggestions about which spirit matches your taste. Guides have also added humor, personal anecdotes, and occasional extras such as a gin and tonic or additional samples. These touches are not guaranteed, but they help explain why the visit can feel more personal than a standard production tour.

Because the guides speak English and Icelandic, English-speaking visitors should have no trouble following the explanations. Several guides have been singled out for clear English and an easy manner. The tone is friendly, not formal, so you do not need to know much about spirits before arriving.

Buying bottles and choosing souvenirs

The distillery may sell bottles and related items, making it a useful stop if you want to take home a distinctly Icelandic gift. Small travel-size whiskey bottles have been available, along with glasses and volcanic rock coasters.

Airline rules matter. Full-size bottles belong in checked luggage, not hand luggage. If you are flying with only a carry-on, airport duty-free may be a better option. One useful price tip is that Eimverk products can be cheaper at the airport because duty-free purchases remove much of the tax. You can enjoy the tasting at the distillery, then decide later whether to buy a bottle before your flight.

Do not feel pressured to purchase. The tour’s value should come from the visit and tasting, not from buying a souvenir. Still, the chance to compare several products before choosing is helpful, especially if you are buying for someone who likes whiskey or gin.

Who should book this 75-minute tasting

I would choose this tour for adults who enjoy spirits, local food production, or small-business stories. It works particularly well for whiskey fans, but the gin and Brennivín make it suitable for a mixed group. Even a person who normally skips whiskey may find the gin or sweeter flavored spirits more appealing.

It is also a good rainy-day activity. Reykjavik weather can change quickly, and the visit gives you a warm indoor plan with a clear start and finish. The production area adds substance, so you are not spending the whole time seated with a glass.

I would be more cautious if you dislike strong alcohol, need a meal included, or have a packed schedule with no room for public transport. The 75-minute duration covers the formal activity, but you need extra time for the bus, walk, or taxi. You also should not plan to drive afterward.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, but the supplied details do not explain every surface or restroom arrangement. If you need specific access information, contact Eimverk before booking.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible, which is useful when Icelandic weather or flight changes affect your schedule.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The tour lasts 75 minutes and is led in English or Icelandic. The price is $48 per person, with the guide, distillery visit, and three tastings included.

Since the tasting may include several pours, I would schedule it when you do not need to hurry to another activity. Keep the rest of the afternoon or evening simple, arrange your return ride, and eat beforehand.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you want more than a quick drink in Reykjavik. The combination of Iceland’s only whiskey, a working production facility, local ingredients, and an engaging guide gives you a clear sense of how a young Icelandic spirit maker is building its craft.

The strongest reasons to go are the personal guiding, the chance to compare several spirits, and the unusual releases such as birch whiskey or smoked sheep dung whiskey. The main caution is transport, plus the fact that $48 is a lot if you only want one drink.

For whiskey and gin fans, I consider it a strong choice. For everyone else, book it if you enjoy food culture, small producers, and stories about how Iceland makes its own traditions. Skip it if you rarely drink alcohol or would rather spend your limited Reykjavik time outdoors.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The activity lasts 75 minutes, including the guided visit and tasting.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $48 per person.

Which spirits are included?

The advertised tasting includes Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Can I taste more than three spirits?

You might. Three premium tastings are included, but some sessions have included a much wider selection, with nine, twelve, or thirteen samples reported.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so eat before you arrive, especially if you expect an extensive tasting.

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 available?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. Children under 18 are not permitted.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks English or Icelandic.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

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

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.