Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Iceland’s only whiskey distillery makes this 75-minute visit more than a simple drink tasting. You’ll follow the path from locally grown barley to bottle, then sample Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín, with guides such as Rock, Paul, Eva, and Niko adding stories about Iceland and the family business.

I like the personal scale of the visit and the chance to taste several expressions side by side. I also like the unusual Icelandic touches, including birch whiskey and smoked sheep dung whiskey when those bottles are available. The main drawback is its out-of-the-way setting. Bus access is reasonable, but a taxi can be expensive, and the tasting is not a good match for anyone under 18 or arriving hungry.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland’s only whiskey maker: Learn how Eimverk developed Flóki, the country’s first and only whiskey.
• More than the advertised three tastes: The booking includes three premium spirits, but tastings can sometimes expand to nine, twelve, or even thirteen samples.
• A real production visit: You’ll see the working distillery and hear about barley, fermentation, distillation, aging, and blending.
• A guide-led tasting: Rock, Paul, Eva, Niko, and other guides explain how to assess aroma, flavor, and finish.
• Bus access is possible: Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes.
• Eat first and plan your way home: Food is not included, and the tasting can be generous.

Why Eimverk is worth your time in Reykjavik

Reykjavik has plenty of tours built around scenery, hot water, and Viking-era stories. Eimverk offers something different: a close look at a modern Icelandic craft that is still finding its feet.

I find the setting valuable because Iceland’s whiskey tradition is short. You are not touring a centuries-old Scottish distillery with generations of family lore. Instead, you are hearing how a small Icelandic company created a national whiskey from local ingredients and worked out the process step by step.

That gives the experience a practical feel. You learn why making whiskey in Iceland is difficult, how the company developed its recipes, and how local barley and botanicals shape the finished spirits. The story also connects with Iceland’s past, including the period of prohibition and the country’s changing relationship with alcohol.

The setting is a working distillery rather than a grand visitor center. That can mean a simpler arrival and less polished presentation, but it also gives you a better sense of a small local producer at work. I would choose this tour for its access to the people and process behind the bottles, not for lavish displays.

The welcome drink and the first taste

The visit begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. This first moment sets the tone: you sit down with the guide, learn what the company makes, and get a basic explanation of how the tasting will work.

The guide may show you how to smell a spirit, take a small sip, and notice the changes as it rests on your palate. That short lesson matters, especially if you do not often drink whiskey or gin. You are not expected to arrive with a trained palate.

The tasting centers on three named products:

• Flóki, Iceland’s first and only whiskey
• Vor Premium Gin
• Víti Brennivín, an Icelandic spirit with a strong local identity

The exact range can be broader than this basic list. On some visits, the tasting has included several ages and styles of whiskey, more than one gin, vodka, and experimental bottles. Samples have included birch whiskey and smoked sheep dung whiskey, two distinctly Icelandic variations that make the visit memorable even if whiskey is not your usual drink.

Those extra pours are not guaranteed, so book for the distillery visit and the three included spirits. Treat a larger tasting as a welcome bonus rather than something promised in the $48 price.

From Icelandic barley to Flóki whiskey

After the first part of the tasting, you head into the production area. Here the guide explains the process from the beginning, starting with barley harvesting and moving through the stages that turn grain into liquor.

You learn how the raw ingredients are prepared, how fermentation begins, and how distillation concentrates the spirit. The guide then explains what happens as the whiskey matures and develops its character. This is where the tour becomes more useful than a standard bar tasting, since you can connect the flavor in your glass with the equipment and decisions behind it.

I like that the tour treats production as a series of choices rather than a magic trick. You hear about the first idea behind each product, the trials involved in making whiskey in Iceland, and the current work of developing Eimverk’s range.

The company also tries to use ingredients that can be grown in Iceland where possible. That point gives the tasting a clear sense of place. You are not simply drinking imported styles under a local label. You are sampling spirits shaped by Icelandic grain, botanicals, and experiments that would feel out of place in a more traditional whiskey region.

You can take photographs in the production area. Since this is a working facility, the appeal lies in seeing the equipment and hearing the explanation rather than walking through a large museum display. The tour itself can feel short, especially if you are hoping for a long technical visit, but the tasting fills much of the scheduled time.

Comparing gin, whiskey, and Brennivín

Back in the tasting room, the second half of the sampling begins. The guide talks through the differences between the products and helps you compare them rather than treating each pour as an isolated drink.

Flóki is the natural focus for whiskey fans. You may taste different versions or ages together, which lets you notice how time and recipe affect the spirit. The samples can also include unusual releases, so the experience is not limited to a single standard bottle.

Vor Gin gives the tour a wider appeal. Even people who arrive mainly for whiskey may find the gin easier to approach, especially when the guide explains its botanical character. One tasting included a gin and tonic at check-in, and another found the welcome gin especially appealing, though extras can vary by visit.

Víti Brennivín adds a specifically Icelandic angle. It is not just another international gin or whiskey style, and it gives the guide a chance to explain how local drinking traditions differ from those in Britain, North America, or elsewhere in Europe.

The pace is social and interactive. You can ask questions, compare notes with people at your table, and hear stories about the company’s early struggles. Small groups make this especially pleasant. Some sessions have had only two or four people, while others have included around ten. A smaller group can lead to a much more personal exchange with the guide.

The guides make or break the visit

The strongest part of this experience is the human element. The guides are not simply pouring glasses and reading product notes.

Rock is often praised for his clear explanations, humor, tasting advice, and interest in the craft. Paul has been described as both a strong storyteller and a skilled bartender, with a firm grasp of the technical side of distilling. Eva has connected the company’s story with Icelandic history, while Niko has been noted for his warm, interactive approach.

You may meet a different guide, but the pattern is consistent: the best part of the job is explaining why the spirits taste the way they do. A good guide will adjust to the group. If everyone is curious about whiskey production, you can ask technical questions. If the room is more social, the stories and comparisons carry the session.

The humor also helps. Distillery talk can become dry when it gets too technical. Eimverk’s unusual releases, local ingredients, and challenges as a small Icelandic producer give the guide plenty to work with.

Is $48 good value?

At $48 per person, the price is fair if you care about spirits and plan to make full use of the tasting. You receive a guided production visit, an English or Icelandic speaking guide, and three premium spirits. If additional samples are offered, the value improves considerably.

I would not book this solely as a cheap way to get drinks. The tour includes no food, and the location adds transport costs. A taxi from central Reykjavik can become a serious extra expense. Bus number 1 is the better budget option: take it from downtown toward Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes.

Some people have found the distillery easy to reach by bus, while others have found the setting less convenient. Check the route before leaving, especially in poor weather. A taxi is simpler, but you should budget for both directions. One useful point is that taxis have been easy to request for the return trip.

The bottles sold at the distillery can make the visit more tempting, but think about your flight plans. Full-size bottles may need to go in checked luggage. Duty-free shops at the airport can sometimes offer Eimverk bottles for less because taxes account for much of the retail price. If you are traveling with hand luggage only, look for smaller bottles, glasses, or other non-liquid souvenirs at the distillery.

Practical advice for the best tasting

Eat a proper meal or substantial snack before you arrive. This is the most useful tip for the visit. The samples can be more generous than the basic description suggests, and food is not included.

Plan your transport before the first pour. The distillery is reachable by public bus, but it is not in central Reykjavik. If you choose a taxi, make sure you understand the likely fare before setting off. If you take the bus, allow time for the walk from Ásgarður.

Arrive a little early. Some people have received an extra welcome treat before the formal start, though you should not count on this. Early arrival also gives you time to find the entrance without rushing.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. It is restricted to adults, and children under 18 cannot join. Since the tour is built around alcohol, that age rule is firm and appropriate.

Dress for Icelandic conditions, especially if you are walking from the bus stop. You will spend time inside, but the route to and from the distillery is part of the practical calculation.

Who will enjoy Eimverk most?

I would recommend this tour first to whiskey fans, gin drinkers, and anyone interested in how local food and drink traditions develop. It is also a good choice for someone who wants a quieter, more conversational activity away from Reykjavik’s busiest central sights.

You do not need to be a spirit expert. Several people who arrived mainly for a partner found the gin or whiskey more approachable than expected. The tasting lesson helps, and the guide can explain what to look for without making you feel tested.

It is less suitable if you dislike strong spirits, want a full meal with your activity, or prefer a large museum-style attraction. The production tour itself may feel brief to a serious distilling professional. The main value comes from the combination of explanation, tasting, and conversation.

The tour also works well as a final Reykjavik activity. It gives you a local product to take home, and the story of a young Icelandic distillery makes a better souvenir than a generic bottle from an airport shelf. Just remember the luggage rules and the price difference between the distillery shop and duty-free.

Should you book the Eimverk Distillery tour?

Book it if you want to understand Iceland through a small, ambitious local producer rather than another standard sightseeing stop. The tasting is generous on many dates, the guides bring real personality, and the mix of Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, Brennivín, and experimental spirits gives you plenty to discuss.

I would be less eager if you are watching every transport krona or dislike alcohol. For everyone else, $48 is a sound price for a 75-minute visit, especially when the group is small and the guide has time for questions.

Eat first, take bus number 1 if you want to save money, and leave room in your luggage for a bottle or a smaller souvenir. If you like whiskey, gin, or curious Icelandic food traditions, this is one of Reykjavik’s more distinctive indoor activities.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The tour lasts 75 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed 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 may be offered additional samples. Some tastings have included a larger selection of Eimverk’s whiskey, gin, vodka, and experimental spirits, but the included booking specifies three premium spirits.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides conduct the tour in English or Icelandic.

How do I reach the distillery by bus?

Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then walk 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 eat before the tasting.

Can children join the tour?

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