Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Eimverk Distillery makes Iceland’s first and only whisky, and this 75-minute visit gives you far more than a quick sip at a bar. You learn how local barley becomes Flóki whisky, how Vor gin gets its character, and why Víti Brennivín belongs to Iceland’s drinking tradition. The tasting can include more than the advertised three spirits, sometimes a generous lineup of nine to thirteen samples.

I like the small, personal setting, where guides such as Rock, Paul, Niko, and Eva have plenty of room to answer questions. I also like the clear look at the full process, from barley harvesting to the finished glass, along with the chance to compare different ages and styles side by side.

The main drawback is location. Bus 1 and an eight-minute walk make it possible without a car, but a taxi can be expensive, and you should eat before you arrive because food is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland’s only whisky distillery: Learn how Eimverk developed Flóki from locally grown barley.
• More than three samples may be served: The official plan names whisky, gin, and Brennivín, but tastings can expand to nine or even thirteen spirits.
• A guide-led production visit: See the working facility and follow the process from grain to bottle.
• A good choice for mixed interests: Gin drinkers, whisky fans, and curious first-timers can all find something to enjoy.
• Plan your ride home: Bus 1 stops at Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk, while taxis may cost much more.
• Adults only: Everyone must be at least 18, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Why Eimverk is more than a standard tasting

I like this tour because it connects the drink in your glass with the place where it was made. Iceland is better known for dramatic scenery, hot pools, and sagas than for whisky, so Eimverk offers a useful change of pace. You get a look at a young but ambitious part of Icelandic food and drink culture.

The story begins with a practical challenge. Iceland has a short growing season, and producing whisky in a country without a long-established whisky tradition takes patience and experimentation. Eimverk built its spirits around ingredients that can be grown or found in Iceland where possible, giving the tasting a clear local purpose rather than simply copying Scottish or English methods.

Your guide explains how the company began, how its whisky developed, and how the distillery works today. Past guides have included Rock, Paul, Niko, and Eva. The best part of the presentation is not a formal speech. It is the easy conversation, where you can ask about production, taste, Icelandic drinking customs, or the odd choices behind unusual batches.

The activity has earned a 4.9 rating from 352 bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the guides. That makes sense here. A distillery tour can quickly become a list of equipment and technical terms, but a good presenter gives the bottles a reason to matter. At Eimverk, the guide is also the person pouring, explaining, and helping you notice differences in aroma and flavor.

Arriving at the distillery from central Reykjavik

Eimverk is not in the center of Reykjavik, so allow time for the trip. From downtown, take bus number 1 to Ásgarður, then walk for about eight minutes. The route is inexpensive and practical, though you should check current departure times before setting out.

The distance matters because the tour begins at a fixed time. You do not want to arrive late after misreading the bus route or allowing too little time for the walk. The industrial setting may also feel less polished than a tasting room in central Reykjavik, but that is part of the appeal. You are visiting a working production site rather than a city bar dressed up as a distillery.

A taxi is easier, especially in bad weather or if you are carrying luggage. It can also be costly. One booking reported paying about £40 each way from Reykjavik, so compare that with the bus before deciding. After the tasting, requesting a taxi was reported to be straightforward, but the cost remains the key issue.

Parking information can be unclear, so if you are driving, give yourself a few extra minutes to find the entrance. The meeting point details direct you to the distillery itself, not a central pickup point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The welcome drink and Iceland’s short whisky story

The visit starts with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. This gives you a chance to settle in before the technical part begins. It also sets the right tone: this is meant to be social and conversational, not a silent examination of whisky.

Your guide then explains how whisky came to be made at Eimverk and how the company developed its products. You hear about Iceland’s relationship with alcohol, including the country’s period of prohibition, and how local traditions helped shape modern drinking habits.

This context gives Brennivín a useful place in the story. Víti Brennivín is not simply another clear spirit poured beside the whisky. It connects with Iceland’s own tradition, while the gin and whisky show how Eimverk has experimented with newer styles.

The guides bring plenty of personality to this part. Paul has been praised for combining technical detail with storytelling, while Rock has been described as funny, open to questions, and attentive to the group’s reactions. You might get a polished presentation, or you might find the session becomes a relaxed conversation. Both approaches fit the small-scale setting.

The first tasting: Flóki, Vor, and Víti

The tasting is the heart of the experience. The advertised lineup includes Flóki Icelandic whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. In practice, the selection can be much broader, depending on the session and the products being poured.

You may taste several whiskies at different ages or stages, then compare gins and other spirits. Some sessions have included nine samples, while others reached thirteen. That is a major part of the tour’s value, but it also means you should not assume every booking will follow exactly the same tasting sequence.

The guide explains how to taste properly, helping you look for changes in aroma, texture, finish, and the effect of different ingredients. You do not need to arrive as a whisky expert. The format works well for someone who normally drinks cocktails or gin, too.

Vor Gin has won over some people who arrived mainly for a partner’s whisky interest. The botanical character gives the tasting a lighter counterpoint to Flóki, while Víti Brennivín offers a distinctly Icelandic option. If you normally avoid brown spirits, try each sample with an open mind. A tasting is the right place to compare, not commit to a full bottle.

You should pace yourself. The pours can be generous, and the number of samples may exceed the basic description. Several people specifically advised eating well before the tour. Food is not included, and the experience is not a substitute for dinner.

Inside the production facility

After the first part of the tasting, you move into the production area. Here you follow the process from the beginning, including barley harvesting, fermentation, distillation, and the steps that lead to the finished spirit.

The facility visit gives meaning to the tasting. Instead of hearing that Flóki uses Icelandic barley and then moving on, you see where production happens and learn how the raw material becomes whisky. The tour also explains how the distillery handles gin and Brennivín, so the differences between the products are easier to understand.

The working area is practical rather than theatrical. You can take photographs of the production space, which adds a useful visual memory to the visit. The attraction is the process itself: equipment, ingredients, and the choices required to make a small local spirit company work.

Eimverk’s experiments are one of the more memorable parts. Samples have included unusual releases such as birch whisky and whisky smoked with sheep dung. Those products may not appeal to everyone, but they show a willingness to test Icelandic ingredients and local ideas rather than produce only familiar flavors.

The unusual spirits also give the guide something to explain. You learn how smoke affects a whisky, how local materials can change the aroma, and why a strange-sounding bottle may be worth trying before you decide what you think. You do not have to like every sample. In fact, the contrast makes the more familiar products easier to judge.

Returning to the tasting room

The second half brings you back to the tasting room for more samples and discussion. This is usually the loosest part of the visit. You can ask about the bottles you have tried, compare notes with other people, and get advice on what to buy.

The small groups are a real advantage. Some sessions have had only two or four people, while others have included around ten. A smaller group gives you more time with the guide and makes it easier to ask basic questions without feeling self-conscious.

At the same time, the social element changes with the group. A talkative group can make the tasting lively, while a quiet session may feel more like a private lesson. The experience does not depend on a large crowd, and the guides appear comfortable adjusting to the people in front of them.

You may also receive an extra drink beyond the advertised tasting. Some sessions have included a gin and tonic at check-in or additional pours. Treat these as possible extras rather than guaranteed parts of the package. The official inclusion is a tasting of three premium spirits.

What to buy and how to get bottles home

The distillery sells bottles and small gifts, including travel-size whisky and branded glasses. Volcanic rock coasters have also been available, which make a practical souvenir if you are traveling with hand luggage.

Large bottles are a different matter. If you are flying with only cabin baggage, you cannot take a full bottle through security unless you buy it after security or arrange it according to airline and airport rules. One useful option is to look for Eimverk products at Keflavík Airport duty-free on your way home.

Duty-free pricing may be lower because Icelandic taxes make up a large share of the retail price. This means you do not need to buy at the distillery to take home a bottle. Still, the distillery shop lets you choose immediately, and the guide can help you decide between whisky, gin, and the more unusual releases.

Think about your luggage before purchasing. A bottle is a good souvenir, but it is also heavy and fragile. Smaller bottles or glassware may be easier if you are traveling light.

Is $48 a fair price for 75 minutes?

At $48 per person, this is not a cheap drink stop. The value depends on how much you care about learning the production story and tasting several styles, not simply getting a few pours.

For the official package, you receive the guided visit, access to the production facility, and three spirit tastings. That is a reasonable price for a specialist tour in Reykjavik, especially when the guide spends time explaining the process rather than handing you a flight of samples with little context.

The value improves if your session includes more than three spirits. Several tastings have included nine to thirteen samples, and some have offered an extra gin and tonic. Those additions are not guaranteed, so I would book for the tour and the stated three samples, then treat a larger selection as a bonus.

Transport can affect the total cost. The bus keeps the outing affordable, while a taxi may add a serious amount to the bill. Add food before the visit as well. If you need a central location, a short walk, and a full meal included, this will not be the right choice.

For anyone interested in spirits, the price compares well with a bar crawl because you are also getting instruction and access to the production space. For someone who rarely drinks alcohol, the value depends on your interest in Icelandic culture and craft production.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend Eimverk to whisky fans, gin drinkers, and anyone who enjoys seeing how a local product is made. It is also a smart choice for couples or friends with different tastes, since the lineup includes whisky, gin, and Brennivín rather than only one category.

It works especially well on a rainy day or when you want an indoor activity that feels connected to Iceland. You learn about agriculture, prohibition, business challenges, and local ingredients without spending several hours in a museum.

The tour is less suitable if you want a long distillery visit with extensive time on the production floor. The total duration is only 75 minutes, and the actual walk-through may feel short compared with the tasting. One person specifically found the tour portion brief but loved the tasting.

You must be at least 18. The activity is wheelchair accessible, which makes it easier for more people to join, though you should still confirm current access details when booking if you have specific mobility needs.

English and Icelandic are available. If you do not speak either language, this experience may not be a practical choice because the explanations and tasting guidance depend on the live presentation.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you want a personal look at Icelandic spirit-making, a lively guide, and a tasting that may stretch well beyond the advertised three samples. The strongest reasons are the local barley, the unusual whisky experiments, and the guides’ ability to make technical subjects easy to follow.

Skip it if you dislike spirits, need a central Reykjavik activity, or do not want to arrange transport after drinking. The bus is manageable, but the taxi cost can change the budget quickly.

For most adults who enjoy whisky, gin, or food-and-drink culture, I think the $48 price is fair. Eat first, take bus 1 or budget for a taxi, and leave room in your luggage for a small bottle or souvenir. This is a compact tour, but it gives you a genuine look at one of Iceland’s most distinctive young producers.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The guided tour and tasting last 75 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $48 per person.

Which spirits are included in the tasting?

The stated tasting includes Flóki Icelandic whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Some sessions may include additional samples.

Can I taste more than three spirits?

Yes, that is possible. Some sessions have included nine or thirteen samples, but the guaranteed package lists tastings of three premium spirits.

How do I reach the distillery by bus?

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

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You arrange your own bus, taxi, or other transportation.

Can children join the tour?

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

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Icelandic. The tour is also listed as wheelchair accessible.