Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík

Iceland’s only whisky distillery makes this a fine break from waterfalls and geothermal pools. At Eimverk, you see how Flóki Whisky is made from local barley, learn about the unusual sheep dung smoking method, and taste the distillery’s whisky, gin, and Brennivín. The local ingredients and the relaxed, story-led format are the real draw.

I like the small maximum group of 15, since it gives you room to ask questions rather than stand in the back of a crowded room. I also like the full tasting lineup: you are not limited to one whisky flight, but get to compare Flóki with Vor Gin and Víti Brennivín. The main drawback is the setting: Eimverk is in Garðabær, not central Reykjavík, and transportation is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Icelandic barley in every bottle: Flóki Whisky is made from 100 percent local barley.
• A tasting beyond whisky: The flight includes multiple Flóki expressions, Vor Gin, and Víti Brennivín.
• Small-group access: The tour accepts no more than 15 people, leaving time for questions.
• An unusual smoking method: Sheep dung is used in part of the process, adding a distinctly Icelandic detail.
• A short, useful outing: The visit takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with three start times.
• A trip outside Reykjavík: Eimverk is at Lyngás 13 in Garðabær, and you must arrange your own transport.

Why Eimverk makes a good Reykjavík side trip

Most Reykjavík sightseeing centers on dramatic nature, old harbor buildings, and hot water. Eimverk offers something different: a look at a young Icelandic drinks company working with local raw materials and traditional methods.

The distillery is home to Flóki Whisky, described as Iceland’s first and only whisky. It also produces Vor Gin and Víti Brennivín. That mix gives the visit more range than a standard whisky tasting. If you prefer gin, or have never developed a taste for whisky, you still have a good reason to come.

The tour takes place at Eimverk Distillery in Garðabær, just outside central Reykjavík. The meeting point is at the back of the lot at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær. You finish at the same place, so plan the return trip before you arrive.

The experience lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is long enough for a proper introduction and tasting without taking over your day. I would place it after a morning of sightseeing or near the end of your Iceland trip, when a calm indoor activity sounds better than another packed excursion.

Inside the production area

The tour begins with a guided visit to the working production area. You learn how Eimverk makes its spirits and how the company has developed its methods around Icelandic ingredients.

The central story is Flóki Whisky. The spirit starts with 100 percent local barley, which gives the whisky a clear connection to Iceland rather than simply attaching an Icelandic name to a standard imported base. The guide explains the production process and what makes the whisky different from styles made in places such as Scotland, Ireland, or the United States.

One of the more memorable details is the use of sheep dung for smoking. It is an old-fashioned, highly local method that sounds odd at first, but it makes sense in a country where sheep have long been part of rural life and wood has not always been plentiful. You hear how this technique affects the spirit, then get a chance to look for those effects in the glass.

This is a small distillery, not a huge industrial plant. That is both a benefit and a limitation. You get a direct look at a working small business, but you should not expect a large visitor center, a long museum route, or an elaborate production complex.

The guide also explains the making of Vor Gin and Víti Brennivín. Native botanicals are part of the gin story, while Brennivín connects the tasting to Icelandic drinking culture. The production explanation matters because it gives you something to notice in the glass instead of simply moving from one sample to the next.

The tasting: Flóki, Vor, and Víti

The tasting is the heart of the visit. You sample multiple expressions of Flóki Whisky, along with Vor Gin and Víti Brennivín. Since you taste several products made by the same small company, you can compare how barley, botanicals, aging, and local production shape each drink.

A useful part of the presentation is the introduction to tasting itself. One guide, Richie, has been praised for explaining the mechanics of tasting before the samples begin. That approach helps you pay attention to aroma, flavor, and finish, even if you are more comfortable with wine or cocktails than with whisky.

The whisky tasting suits collectors and serious spirit fans, but you do not need to arrive as a whisky expert. Guides such as Nico have been singled out for making the subject accessible and exciting. The tone is educational without needing to be stiff, and the small group lets you ask about the details that interest you most.

The gin gives the tasting a different pace. Vor offers a chance to think about botanicals and aroma rather than just oak and grain. Several start times make it easier to fit the visit around other plans, and some tours begin with a gin and tonic before moving into the wider tasting. The exact presentation may vary with the guide and session.

Víti Brennivín adds another Icelandic flavor. It is a traditional spirit, and tasting it alongside whisky and gin shows how different ingredients and methods can produce very different results. If you have only come for Flóki, do not skip the other two spirits. They are part of what makes this more than a single-product tasting.

The number of samples means you should pace yourself. Iceland’s legal drinking age is 20, and the experience is built around alcoholic drinks. If you do not drink, this is probably not the best use of your time, since the tasting is a major part of the visit.

The guides make the difference

The content is important, but the guide shapes the mood. The tour has been led by people including Rock, also referred to as Rok, Nick, Nico, Eva, Richie, and Jon. You cannot assume which person will lead your session, but the guide lineup has a clear reputation for storytelling, humor, and enthusiasm.

Rock has been praised for explaining the company’s background while keeping the group involved. Eva is known for combining useful information with a relaxed, funny presentation. Richie has been described as especially good at handling a group of around 12 people, keeping the energy warm without losing the thread of the production story.

Jon brings a strong storytelling style, with a bit of theatrical fun, while Nico has a passion for whisky education. Nick’s culinary background can add another angle, especially when discussing ingredients and how one spirit differs from another.

These details matter because small distillery tours can go in two directions. A poor guide may recite technical steps and rush you through the room. A good guide turns the same material into a conversation about Icelandic food, farming, culture, and taste. Eimverk appears to put real weight on that human side.

The setting is informal. You are not being pushed through a large attraction on a strict conveyor belt. You may find yourself talking with the guide in the tasting room almost as if you were sitting at a bar with an enthusiastic local host. That makes the experience especially appealing if you enjoy questions and conversation.

How much value do you get for $49.60?

At $49.60 per person, this is not a cheap drink stop. Reykjavík prices can add up quickly, so it is fair to ask what you are receiving for the fee.

You get an expert-led tour of the production areas, an explanation of the company and its methods, a tasting of multiple whisky expressions, Vor Gin, and Víti Brennivín, plus time for questions. You also receive a brochure with product and company information, and you can visit the shop afterward.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay for a whisky or cocktail tasting and also want a behind-the-scenes visit. Instead of buying one drink in a city bar, you get a guided look at how the spirits are made and a broad sample of the lineup.

The value is weaker if you want a full meal, a long museum visit, or transportation bundled into the price. Eimverk has a tasting room but no food service, and you pay separately for any bottles, clothing, or other gifts from the shop.

You should also keep the bottle-buying issue in mind. The shop gives you a chance to take home Flóki, Vor, or Víti, but additional purchases are not included. If you are flying, check your luggage plans before buying several bottles. The attraction of the shop is real, especially after you have learned how each product is made.

Getting to Lyngás 13 in Garðabær

The practical catch is location. Eimverk is not in central Reykjavík, and the experience does not include private transportation.

The distillery is near public transportation, and the visit can be reached from Reykjavík without booking a full-day excursion. Still, allow time to find the correct entrance. The meeting point is specifically at the back of the lot, not simply at a central city storefront.

A taxi is the simplest choice if you want a direct trip. It is also the safer choice after a tasting, since you should not drive after drinking. Some people use the bus, but you need to check the current route and timetable for your date. The exact journey time is not provided, so do not build a tight connection around the tour.

Because the activity ends back at the same meeting point, you can leave by the same method you used to arrive. I would arrange the return before the first sample, especially for an evening start.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

This tour suits whisky fans, gin drinkers, spirit collectors, and anyone curious about how Iceland turns local materials into distinctive drinks. It also works well for couples or small groups who prefer a personal activity over a major sightseeing attraction.

You do not need to know the difference between a single malt and a blended whisky. The guide explains the process, and the tasting format gives beginners a way into the subject. The chance to compare three kinds of spirit makes it more welcoming than a narrow whisky class.

It is also a good choice for a rainy afternoon or a final day in Reykjavík. The visit is indoors, lasts just over an hour, and does not demand the physical effort of a nature tour. If your schedule is full of long drives and outdoor stops, the tasting can provide a quieter change of pace.

I would be more cautious if you dislike alcohol, need a substantial meal, or want a major cultural attraction in the city center. The facility is small, and the focus stays on spirits, production, and conversation. That honesty helps set the right expectation.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The maximum group size is 15, but the tour is not described as private. You will likely share the tasting with other people, which is part of the social atmosphere.

What to buy after the tasting

The distillery shop is included as part of the visit, but purchases cost extra. You can look for bottles of the spirits you sampled, along with gifts such as clothing. A hoodie has been a popular keepsake for at least one visitor, so the shop is not limited to alcohol.

Buying a bottle makes the tasting more personal. You can compare your memory of the sample with the bottle at home, assuming your airline and destination rules allow you to carry it. The shop is especially useful for products that may be difficult to find outside Iceland.

Do not feel pressured to buy. The guided tasting is the main product, and you can enjoy the tour without leaving with a bottle. If you are interested in bringing alcohol home, check baggage space and customs rules before your trip.

Booking timing and cancellation

This experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 41 days. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a useful warning for anyone planning a popular summer visit or traveling on fixed dates.

You can choose from three start times. That flexibility helps you fit the distillery around a museum visit, dinner, or a day trip. Since the experience includes alcohol and a return journey to Garðabær, avoid scheduling it immediately before a timed activity across town.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Iceland time.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Book this if you want an intimate, distinctly Icelandic drinks experience with plenty of tasting and room for questions. The local barley, sheep dung smoking method, three-spirit lineup, and lively guides give it more character than a basic sample flight.

Skip it if you are not interested in alcohol, need food included, or want a central Reykjavík activity with no transport planning. For everyone else, $49.60 is a reasonable price for a guided production visit and a broad tasting, especially if Flóki, Vor, or Víti ends up becoming a bottle in your luggage.

I would choose it as a relaxed half-day addition rather than the main event of an Iceland trip. Arrange a taxi or public transport in advance, keep the rest of the schedule loose, and arrive ready to taste slowly and ask questions. That is where Eimverk gives you the most for your money.

FAQ

Where is Flóki Whisky Distillery?

Eimverk Distillery is at the back of the lot at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland, outside central Reykjavík.

How long does the distillery tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What spirits are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes multiple expressions of Flóki Whisky, Vor Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Is transportation to Eimverk included?

No. Transportation to and from the distillery is not included. The distillery is near public transportation, and you can also arrange a taxi.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

What is the minimum legal drinking age?

The minimum legal drinking age in Iceland is 20.

Is food included?

No. Eimverk has a tasting room but does not provide food service.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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