Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Iceland has only a short modern tradition of making spirits, which makes Eimverk’s story unusually interesting. This 75-minute tour shows how a small Icelandic producer developed Flóki, the country’s first and only whiskey, along with Vor gin and Víti Brennivín.

I like the mix of production details and tasting. You do not just sip three drinks in a room, you learn how barley is harvested, distilled, and turned into liquor. I also like the friendly, conversational style: guides such as Rock, Paul, Eva, and Niko bring humor and stories to the session. The main drawback is location. Eimverk is outside central Reykjavik, so the bus is cheap but takes planning, while a taxi can be costly.

Key points to know before you go

• Iceland’s only whiskey producer: Learn how Eimverk created Flóki and helped begin a modern Icelandic whiskey tradition.
• More than the advertised three tastes: The basic package includes Flóki, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín, but tasting flights can include several more Eimverk spirits.
• A personal guide-led session: Rock, Paul, Eva, Niko, and other guides explain the drinks while welcoming questions and conversation.
• A working production area: See the equipment and follow the process from Icelandic barley to finished spirit.
• Eat before you arrive: The tasting can be generous, and food is not included.
• Allow time for transport: Bus number 1 reaches Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk.

Why Eimverk is worth your Reykjavik time

Many Reykjavik activities focus on Iceland’s famous scenery, but this one gives you a look at a newer part of the country’s culture. Eimverk’s story is about figuring out how to make premium spirits in Iceland, using local ingredients where possible and working within the limits of a small domestic operation.

That matters because whiskey is not an old Icelandic craft in the way it is in Scotland or Ireland. The company had to develop its own approach rather than simply copy a long-established local model. You hear about the thinking behind Flóki, the challenges of producing whiskey in Iceland, and how the distillery’s gin and other spirits grew alongside it.

The visit also connects drinking to Icelandic history. Guides discuss the country’s period of prohibition and the place of spirits in Icelandic life. It is a useful bit of context, especially if you want more from the tasting than a series of glasses placed in front of you.

You should book this if you enjoy whiskey, gin, or the story of small food and drink producers. You do not need to be a serious spirits expert. Several people who were not keen whiskey drinkers still found the tasting appealing, especially after learning how to notice aroma, flavor, and texture.

Getting to Ásgarður from central Reykjavik

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

The bus route is a practical choice and has been described as easy, reliable, and inexpensive. Still, do not treat the distillery as a place you can casually wander into after lunch on Laugavegur. Check the route and allow enough time for the walk, particularly in poor weather.

A taxi is simpler, but it can change the price calculation. One person reported paying about £40 each way from Reykjavik, while another found a taxi after the tasting within five minutes. The useful point is this: getting a taxi back can be easy, but the ride itself may be expensive.

Parking details can be unclear at first. Some visitors parked directly in front of the distillery entrance without trouble. If you are driving, follow the exact meeting instructions provided with your booking rather than assuming the building will be obvious from the road.

The welcome drink and Icelandic whiskey story

The experience begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. This helps set the tone. The visit is not a silent factory walk, and it is not a rushed bar tasting either. Your guide talks with the group, explains what is coming, and invites questions from the start.

The early discussion focuses on whiskey in Iceland and how Eimverk began producing it. This is one of the strongest parts of the tour because it gives the samples a reason and a sequence. You learn what the company was trying to achieve before you start comparing the results.

Guides have received particularly strong praise for making technical subjects easy to follow. Rock has been singled out for his warmth, humor, and command of whiskey-making. Paul has been praised for combining technical detail with storytelling, while Eva and Niko have also led engaging sessions. The guide on your date may be someone else, but the format encourages an informal exchange rather than a stiff lecture.

The group size can vary. Some sessions have had only two or four people, while others have included around ten. A small group gives you more space to ask questions and discuss your impressions. A larger group may feel more social, but you will have less individual attention.

Tasting Flóki, Vor, and Víti

The stated tasting includes three premium spirits: Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Brennivín is Iceland’s best-known traditional spirit, so tasting Víti alongside whiskey and gin gives you a useful look at three different directions in Icelandic distilling.

The tasting is not simply a sip and swallow exercise. Your guide explains how to approach each drink and points out differences between products and ages. One useful technique is to taste related spirits together, so you can compare their aromas and flavors rather than trying to remember each sample in isolation.

The advertised package says three spirits, but the actual tasting can be much broader. Sessions described by participants included nine, twelve, or even thirteen samples from Eimverk’s range. Another private visit included the distillery’s two gins and its whiskeys. Since the included terms specifically guarantee three premium spirits, treat the larger flight as a possible bonus, not a promise.

The extra samples can include unusual expressions. One tasting featured Icelandic birch whiskey and a whiskey associated with smoked sheep dung. Those distinctive products are part of what makes the visit memorable, but they may not suit every palate. You can approach them as experiments, not as a test of your expertise.

Gin drinkers have plenty to look forward to, and the range may appeal even if whiskey is not your usual choice. Blueberry sloe gin was a favorite for one visitor, while the welcome gin and tonic made a strong impression on another. One whiskey fan even joked that the gin had a whiskey-like character, which tells you that Eimverk’s style may not be identical to a classic London dry gin.

Inside the production facility

After the first part of the tasting, the group moves into the production area. This is where the experience earns its place as a distillery tour rather than a tasting-room event.

You follow the process from barley harvesting through to the finished spirit. The guide explains the steps involved in turning grain into whiskey and how the distillery handles the early stages of production. You also learn how the process differs for gin and other spirits.

The equipment and working area give the talk a practical anchor. Instead of hearing only about distillation in the abstract, you can see where the work happens and take photos of the production space. The tour remains fairly short, so do not expect a long industrial visit or a technical masterclass covering every machine in detail.

That short factory portion is the chief weakness for some people. The tasting takes up much of the 75 minutes, and the production walk can feel brief if your main interest is machinery. If you want to study distilling equipment at length, this may not satisfy you. If you want a clear overview followed by a generous tasting, the balance works well.

The second flight is where the tour becomes personal

You return to the tasting room for the second half of the samples. This is usually the most social part of the visit. Your guide shares stories about the drinks, answers questions, and gives you time to compare notes with the people around you.

The best guides do not treat tasting as a one-way speech. They ask what you notice and respond to your reactions. That makes the experience useful for beginners, since you can say what you smell or taste without worrying about using the correct vocabulary.

The atmosphere can also shift with the group. A small party may receive a more intimate presentation, while a bigger group can bring lively conversation between whiskey fans, gin drinkers, and people trying spirits for the first time. One especially small session became a private tasting of almost the entire collection.

Plan to arrive with a proper meal already inside you. Food is not included, and the number of samples may be much higher than the basic description suggests. The pours have sometimes been described as generous, so pacing yourself is sensible. You are there to taste and learn, not to finish every glass quickly.

Is $48 a fair price?

At $48 per person, the value depends on what you want from a Reykjavik activity. You receive a guided distillery visit, a production explanation, and at least three premium tastings. If the session includes a larger selection, the price looks even better, especially compared with the cost of buying several Icelandic spirits separately.

The price also covers access to a small local producer and a guide-led explanation that you would not get by simply purchasing a bottle at the airport. You learn why the spirits taste as they do, how the business developed, and how Icelandic ingredients and traditions shape the products.

Still, the cost is not just $48 if you need a taxi in both directions. Public transport keeps the outing affordable, but it takes more effort. Add the fact that no food is included, and you should plan your meal and transport before setting out.

For a whiskey or gin enthusiast, I think the tour offers good value. For someone who only wants a quick drink in a central bar, the travel time may not feel worthwhile. The experience is strongest when you are interested in the making and the story, not only the alcohol.

Who should book this tasting?

I would put this high on the list for anyone who enjoys whiskey, gin, or small family-run businesses. It also suits couples and friends who want an indoor Reykjavik activity, particularly on a cold or wet day.

You do not need to know the difference between a pot still and a column still. The guides explain the basics clearly, and the informal format leaves room for simple questions. The tour can also work well as a gift for a whiskey-loving partner, with plenty of time to compare different expressions.

It is less suitable for children because nobody under 18 may take part. It is also not the best choice if you dislike spirits or want a long, detailed factory visit. Although the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, you may still want to confirm the current route and meeting arrangements when booking.

Bottles and small travel items may be available for purchase at the distillery. If you are flying with hand luggage, remember that full-size bottles cannot go through security in your cabin bag. Some people instead buy Eimverk products at the airport duty-free shop, where taxes can make a noticeable difference.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you want an authentic local story with your drinks. The strongest parts are the guides, the chance to see the production area, and the broad tasting potential. Rock, Paul, Eva, and Niko have all brought humor and clear explanations to past sessions, but the exact guide and number of samples can vary.

The main cautions are simple: Eimverk is not central, a taxi may be expensive, the factory visit is short, and you should eat first. If those points work for your plans, $48 buys more than three sips. It gives you a useful introduction to Icelandic spirit-making, a chance to taste unusual local products, and an easy way to spend a thoughtful indoor hour and a quarter in Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery tour?

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

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $48 per person.

Which spirits are included?

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

Can I taste more than three spirits?

You might. The included description guarantees three premium spirits, but tasting sessions have sometimes included a much larger selection of Eimverk’s whiskeys, gins, and other products.

What language is the tour in?

Live tours are available in English and 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 it is sensible to eat before the tasting.

Can children join the tour?

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

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.