Eimverk Distillery Visit

Iceland’s first and only whisky distillery offers a welcome change from waterfalls, lava fields, and crowded city sights. At Eimverk, you get close to the stills, learn how Icelandic barley becomes Flóki whisky, and sample the country’s gin and Brennivín in the same sitting.

I like the small-group feel, with no more than 10 people, and the guides’ mix of spirit-making facts, local alcohol traditions, and good humor. I also like that the tasting is not limited to whisky: Vor gin and Víti Brennivín make this a better choice for couples or groups with different tastes. The main drawback is transport. You need to arrange your own way to Garðabær, and you should not plan to drive after several samples.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland’s only whisky distillery: Eimverk gives you a specialist experience you cannot easily duplicate elsewhere in the country.
• Three Icelandic spirits: Taste Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, all made at the distillery.
• Guides make the difference: Richie, Rock, and Jon are praised for clear explanations, stories, humor, and an unhurried style.
• A compact 70-minute visit: The tour fits neatly into an afternoon or evening without taking over your day.
• Garðabær location: The distillery is at Lyngás 13, a short drive from Reykjavík, with bus and taxi options noted by past customers.
• Plan your return ride: Alcoholic drinks are included, but transport is not.

Why Eimverk makes a good break from Iceland’s usual sights

Most Iceland itineraries lean toward scenery. That is sensible, but after several days of waterfalls, cliffs, and volcanic ground, a warm indoor activity can be a relief. Eimverk gives you something different: a look at a young Icelandic industry built around local ingredients and a strong sense of place.

The distillery works with Icelandic barley and native herbs and botanicals. That matters because the visit is not simply a standard whisky tasting moved to Iceland. The guide explains how the local raw materials affect the spirits and how Eimverk developed its own products.

The setting is in Garðabær, just outside Reykjavík rather than in the center of the capital. You will not spend hours getting there, but you do need to treat the trip as a separate outing. This is best placed on an afternoon when you have already explored Reykjavík, or on a quieter final day before flying home.

The activity receives a five-star rating from 315 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That strong response fits the format: a small group, a short tour, several tastings, and a guide who can adjust the talk to the people in the room.

Inside the one-hour Eimverk visit

The visit lasts about one hour and 10 minutes, although the listed distillery portion is described as one hour. Allow a little extra time so you are not rushing out at the exact end.

The tour begins with an introduction to Eimverk and its spirits. Your guide explains how the business grew and why producing whisky in Iceland brings its own challenges. You then get a look at the distilling process, including the equipment and the steps involved in turning barley into whisky.

This practical section is important. The experience is not only a series of drinks set on a table. You learn what happens before the bottle reaches a bar, how different spirits are made, and why whisky requires patience compared with products that can be bottled sooner.

Guides have different personalities, but the most praised names include Richie, Rock, and Jon. Richie is described as funny, friendly, and good at comparing Icelandic spirits with those from other countries. Rock is praised for a personable presentation and helpful suggestions for food nearby. Jon is noted for storytelling and for keeping the group involved.

Do not expect a formal lecture delivered without interruption. The strongest part of this visit is the conversation. You can ask questions, discuss what you are tasting, and hear stories about Eimverk’s growth and its approach to local ingredients.

Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín

The tasting includes three main Eimverk products, each giving you a different view of Icelandic spirit-making.

Flóki whisky is the reason many people book the visit. Iceland may not yet be associated with whisky in the way Scotland, Ireland, or Kentucky is, so this tasting gives you a chance to judge a developing Icelandic style for yourself. The guide talks through the work that went into creating it and explains how Icelandic barley fits into the process.

Even if you normally drink whisky, the tasting format is useful. One customer with a strong preference for whisky and little interest in gin or rye found that a short lesson on the mechanics of tasting made every sample easier to assess. You are encouraged to pay attention to how each spirit smells, feels, and finishes rather than simply deciding if you like the first sip.

Vor gin brings a different set of flavors to the table. It is a premium pot-distilled gin made with Icelandic herbs and botanicals. That local focus gives the guide a clear subject to discuss, especially if you know little about gin beyond its usual role in a mixed drink.

Víti Brennivín connects the tasting with a traditional Icelandic drink. Brennivín is often called Iceland’s signature schnapps or aquavit, and here you taste Víti, Eimverk’s old-style version. The guide explains the spirit’s place in Icelandic drinking culture and how its botanicals shape the taste.

The exact order and number of pours can vary, but the experience includes multiple samples. Some groups also receive a surprise drink, which has become a favorite part for some people. Since alcohol is included, eat beforehand and pace yourself. This is a tasting, not a race through a bar menu.

The guide is part of the experience

A distillery tour can be dry if the guide treats it like a machinery demonstration. Eimverk seems to work best when the person leading the visit brings energy to the room.

The most consistent praise goes to the guides’ storytelling and humor. Richie is singled out for making a group of 12 people laugh while still explaining how the spirits are made. Other guides are praised for being relaxed and unhurried, creating the feel of a conversation at a bar rather than a rushed presentation.

That personal style is valuable in a small group. With a maximum of 10 people listed for the activity, you have a better chance to ask about whisky, gin, Icelandic drinking customs, or the distillery’s use of local products. The group size also makes the tasting feel more social without becoming a large bus-group event.

Guide quality can never be guaranteed by name. Your booking information may not tell you whether Richie, Rock, Jon, or another Eimverk team member will lead the session. Still, the repeated praise for the staff suggests that the human side of the tour is one of its main strengths.

What the $47.50 price gets you

At $47.50 per person, this is not a cheap drink stop. You are paying for the guided visit, the production explanation, the staff time, and a set of alcoholic tastings rather than simply buying one beverage.

I think the value is solid if you are interested in whisky, gin, aquavit, or food and drink culture. Three different spirits give the hour variety, and the tour offers context that you would not get by ordering a bottle or cocktail in Reykjavík. The chance to ask questions also adds value for anyone who enjoys understanding how a product is made.

The price is less convincing if you have no interest in spirits. There are no scenic views, meals, or transport included, and the visit does not replace a major Iceland attraction. If you are choosing between this and a paid excursion to a waterfall or geothermal area, Eimverk suits a very different mood.

You may also find the value better if you plan to buy a bottle or souvenir. The shop has been a useful stop for people who want to take home whisky, gin, Brennivín, or branded clothing such as a hoodie. Check any alcohol import rules for your home country before buying.

Getting to Lyngás 13 in Garðabær

The meeting point is Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland. The tour begins and ends there, and transportation to and from the distillery is not included.

The distillery is described as a short drive from Reykjavík. One past customer found it easy to reach by bus, while another advised taking a taxi and not driving because of the tasting. That gives you several possibilities, but you should confirm your route and return plan before setting out.

A taxi is the simplest choice if you want door-to-door travel. Public transport may work for you, but allow time to check the route and walk from the stop. Do not assume the distillery is close enough to the central Reykjavík bar area for a casual walk.

The listed start time is 4:00 pm, and the tour information also refers to a choice of two start times. Confirm the available slot when booking, since the meeting details provided for this experience specifically show 4:00 pm. The timing works well after a day in Reykjavík and leaves your morning open for another activity.

Who will enjoy this visit most

I would recommend Eimverk to several types of visitors:

• Whisky drinkers who want to see how Icelandic barley becomes a local spirit.
• Gin fans who enjoy tasting botanical ingredients in different styles.
• Curious first-time visitors who want a cultural activity beyond scenery.
• Couples or friends with mixed tastes, since whisky, gin, and Brennivín are all included.
• People with a spare afternoon near Reykjavík.
• Anyone who enjoys a funny, conversational guide more than a formal museum talk.

It is also a good choice for the end of an Iceland trip. The visit lasts only about an hour, so it can fill an evening without exhausting you after several long day trips. One person specifically used it as a relaxed activity near the end of a holiday.

I would be more cautious about booking it for children or anyone who does not drink. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the main point is an alcohol tasting. It is not a general family attraction.

Small details that affect the experience

Mobile ticketing makes arrival simple, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is limited to 10 people, although one past comment referred to a group of 12, so group size may not always feel identical in practice. The formal maximum supplied for this tour is 10.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Iceland time.

Be careful when selecting your date. One unhappy customer booked the wrong date, contacted the booking company soon afterward, and still could not move the reservation. That is a booking error rather than a complaint about the distillery itself, but it is a useful warning: check your Iceland arrival date, start time, and transport before paying.

The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup location. You should still decide how you will return to Reykjavík before the tasting begins.

Is Eimverk worth adding to your Iceland plans?

I think you should book Eimverk if you want a compact, personable look at Icelandic drink-making and you can arrange safe transport. The combination of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín gives you more range than a whisky-only tasting, while the small group leaves room for questions and stories.

Skip it if your Iceland schedule is already packed with outdoor sights or if you do not enjoy spirits. For everyone else, the $47.50 cost is reasonable for a guided tasting with several pours and a look behind the scenes at a distinctly Icelandic producer.

The best plan is simple: visit after a day in or near Reykjavík, eat before you arrive, take a bus or taxi, and let the guide do the talking. You may leave with a new favorite drink, and possibly a bottle or hoodie to remember the visit.

FAQ

Where is Eimverk Distillery located?

Eimverk Distillery is at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland.

How long does the distillery tour last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour and 10 minutes. The distillery portion is also listed as one hour.

What time does the tour start?

The supplied meeting information lists a 4:00 pm start. The activity also refers to a choice of two start times, so confirm the available option when booking.

What spirits are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín. Alcoholic beverages are included in the tour price.

Is transportation included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from the distillery. The tour begins and ends at the Garðabær meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Can service animals participate?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.