Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

At Eimverk, Iceland’s only whiskey distillery, the tasting is often the main event. You’ll hear how a young Icelandic company developed Flóki whiskey, then compare gin and Brennivín while learning how barley, botanicals, aging, and local conditions shape each drink. I like the personal scale and the chance to taste spirits made with Icelandic ingredients. I also like that the guide explains how to taste, rather than simply handing you a row of glasses.

The tour is good value at $48 for 75 minutes, especially when the tasting expands beyond the three advertised spirits. The catch is the location: Eimverk is outside central Reykjavík, and a taxi can be costly. The number 1 bus and an eight-minute walk make it manageable, but check the return plan before you begin drinking.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland’s only whiskey distillery: Learn how Flóki became the country’s first and only whiskey.
• More than three samples may appear: The advertised tasting includes three premium spirits, but some sessions have included nine, twelve, or even thirteen pours.
• Guides make the difference: Rock, Paul, Niko, Eva, and others have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and good tasting advice.
• A real production-area visit: The tour moves from the tasting room into the working distillery to follow the process from barley to bottle.
• Easy by bus, less easy by taxi: Take bus number 1 from downtown to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes.
• Adults only: This is a spirit-tasting experience, so nobody under 18 may attend.

Why Eimverk is worth your time in Reykjavík

Iceland is better known for geothermal pools, waterfalls, and dramatic coastlines than for whiskey. That is exactly what makes Eimverk interesting. The country has a short modern tradition of spirit production, and this family-run distillery had to work out much of its method from scratch.

You are not touring a centuries-old Scottish warehouse with generations of barrels stacked to the roof. Instead, you are seeing a young Icelandic producer explain how it built a whiskey style around local conditions and available ingredients. That gives the visit a more direct, hands-on feel.

The central product is Flóki, Iceland’s first and only whiskey. Eimverk also produces Vor Premium Gin and Víti Brennivín, the Icelandic spirit most closely associated with local drinking culture. The exact range offered during a session can be broader, with different whiskey expressions, gins, and limited or unusual versions appearing in the tasting.

I would not book this solely for a quick look at machinery. The production area is part of the experience, but the heart of the visit is the conversation and sampling. If you enjoy spirits, this is a useful way to understand Iceland through something other than food or scenery.

The welcome drink starts the 75-minute visit

The experience begins in the tasting room with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. This opening helps set the tone. You are not rushed straight toward a line of samples. The guide first explains what the company makes and how the tasting will work.

Guides have included Rock, Paul, Niko, Eva, and other members of the Eimverk team. Their approach can vary, but the strongest part of the experience is the mix of technical information and easy conversation. Rock has been especially noted for his storytelling and tasting guidance, while Paul has been praised for combining production knowledge with a good sense of humor. Niko has also been described as warm, professional, and interactive.

The language options are English and Icelandic. English explanations have been clear enough for visitors from a wide range of countries, and you are encouraged to ask questions as you go. That matters here because whiskey production can become a blur of malt, fermentation, distillation, and aging if the guide simply recites a script.

Instead, the best guides connect the process to Iceland. You hear about the country’s prohibition period, the challenges of running a distillery in Iceland, and the decision to work with ingredients that can be grown locally whenever possible.

Flóki whiskey and the story behind Icelandic production

The first tasting section focuses on the products and the story behind them. Flóki gives the guide a natural starting point because its development is also the story of Icelandic whiskey itself.

Eimverk began with a simple but demanding idea: make premium spirits in Iceland using an Icelandic point of view. That meant testing local barley and working through the practical problems of producing whiskey in a country without a long established whiskey-making tradition.

The guide explains how the company moved from the original concept to its current products. You learn what changes as whiskey ages, how different expressions compare, and why one version may have a sweeter, smokier, or more unusual profile than another.

Some sessions have included a smoked sheep dung whiskey, a memorable Icelandic twist that is likely to prompt questions before the first sip. It is not included as a guaranteed sample, so do not book expecting that particular bottle. Still, it shows the experimental side of Eimverk and the way Icelandic materials and traditions can shape the product.

The tasting is not only for serious whiskey drinkers. I like that the guide teaches you to notice aroma, flavor, and finish in simple terms. You can discuss what you taste without needing a trained palate or a large vocabulary. If you are new to whiskey, this is much more approachable than a formal spirits class.

Vor Gin and Víti Brennivín broaden the tasting

The gin portion is a useful change of pace. Vor Premium Gin is made with Icelandic botanicals, and the guide explains how botanicals affect the nose and flavor of the finished spirit. A welcome gin and tonic has appeared in some sessions, though it should not be treated as a guaranteed extra.

The range can be generous. Some tastings have included two gins alongside several whiskeys, while others have offered as many as nine, twelve, or thirteen spirits. The advertised inclusion is a tasting of three premium spirits, so the number of pours depends on the session and available products.

This difference is important for judging the price. At $48, the tour is fair value even if you receive only the stated three tastings, since you also get a guided production visit and instruction. If the selection expands, it becomes a particularly good deal for anyone who wants to compare several styles in one sitting.

Víti Brennivín brings a distinctly Icelandic angle. Brennivín is traditionally associated with Iceland, and tasting it in the place where it is produced gives the drink more context than ordering a glass in a bar. The guide can explain how it fits into Icelandic drinking culture and how it differs from gin and whiskey.

You do not have to love every spirit. That is part of the point. The variety lets you compare grain-based whiskey, botanical gin, and Brennivín in one sitting. Some people arrive for whiskey and find the gin more appealing. Others come with little interest in spirits and discover that a particular gin or sweeter expression suits them.

From Icelandic barley to the bottle

After the first part of the tasting, you leave the tasting room and enter the production facility. This is where the visit becomes more than a bar tasting.

The guide walks through the stages from barley harvesting to the finished spirit. You learn how the grain is prepared, how fermentation begins, and how distillation concentrates the desired flavors. The tour also covers the later stages that turn clear spirit into whiskey, gin, or Brennivín.

The value of this section is the connection between raw material and final drink. After tasting a sample, you can look at the equipment and understand what had to happen before that liquid reached your glass. The process is easier to follow because the guide links each production step to something you have already smelled or tasted.

You can take photos in the production area. Do not expect a long factory walk or a large industrial complex. Eimverk is a working distillery visit with a compact format, not a full-day plant tour. The tour itself can feel short, especially if you are hoping for a detailed look at every piece of equipment.

That limitation is balanced by the quality of the explanation. A good guide, including Rock, Paul, Niko, or Eva, can make a small facility feel worthwhile by filling in the technical and local background. I would value a clear explanation of a modest operation more than a long walk through machines without context.

Back to the tasting room for comparisons

The second tasting section returns to the glasses. This is often the most relaxed part of the afternoon or evening. You can compare products while the guide shares production details, stories, and practical tips on tasting.

The samples may be arranged so you can notice differences between ages or styles. That comparison is more useful than trying unrelated drinks one after another. You begin to see how maturation, ingredients, and production choices affect the final result.

Group size can change the mood. A small group of four, or even a private session for two, allows more questions and direct conversation. Larger groups can be livelier and make the tasting feel social. The setting is interactive rather than silent, so expect to discuss what you taste with the people around you.

The guides are often the strongest part of the visit. Their job is not only to pour. They explain how to approach each drink, answer questions about the company, and keep the pace comfortable. Humor helps, too. One session even included a little sleight-of-hand magic, a reminder that this is meant to be an enjoyable introduction rather than a stiff lecture.

Eat before you arrive. One particularly practical point is easy to overlook: food is not included. With several spirits in the lineup, tasting on an empty stomach is a poor plan. Have a proper meal or snack first, and treat the pours as a tasting rather than a drinking challenge.

Getting to Eimverk from central Reykjavík

Eimverk is not in the center of Reykjavík, so transport needs a little thought. By bus, take number 1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes to the distillery.

The bus route has been described as easy and inexpensive, but allow time to find the correct stop and walking route. It is worth checking the return journey before the tasting begins, especially if your tour ends later in the day.

A taxi is simpler, but the cost can be high. One report put the fare at about £40 each way from Reykjavík, though taxi prices can change. Other visitors found it easy to request a taxi after the tasting, with one arriving within five minutes. The sensible choice depends on your budget and how much you plan to sample.

Parking information can be unclear at first, though parking in front of the distillery entrance has been possible. If you are driving, appoint a sober driver. The tour is for adults, and the tasting is substantial enough that driving afterward deserves careful planning.

What $48 really gets you

The $48 price includes the guided distillery tour, the live guide, and tastings of three premium spirits. It does not include food, hotel pickup, or drop-off.

For a 75-minute activity, the price is not bargain-basement. Still, you are paying for more than three small sips. You receive a guided look at Icelandic spirit production, background on the country’s whiskey story, access to the production area, and an explanation of how to taste the drinks.

The value improves if your session includes extra samples. Several tastings have featured far more than the advertised three, including a broad selection of whiskey and gin. That is not something I would assume when budgeting, but it is a pleasant possibility.

The shop also sells bottles and related items. You may be able to buy travel-size whiskey, bottles of gin or whiskey, tasting glasses, or volcanic rock coasters. Large bottles may need to go in checked baggage. If you are flying with hand luggage only, the airport duty-free shop can be a better place to buy Eimverk products, since taxes can make a major difference.

I would not buy a bottle simply because the tour makes it available. Taste first, take notes, and choose something you genuinely like. For a gift, an unusual bottle such as a smoky expression can be fun, but availability may vary.

Who should book this distillery tour?

I would recommend Eimverk to whiskey drinkers, gin fans, curious food-and-drink travelers, and anyone looking for an indoor Reykjavík activity. It also suits couples and small groups because the conversation is a major part of the experience.

It works well as a break from sightseeing. Icelandic weather can spoil outdoor plans, while a warm tasting room and a guided production visit give you a reliable 75-minute activity. It can also fit nicely near the start or end of a Reykjavík stay, provided you plan the transport.

You do not need to be a whiskey expert. The guide explains the basics and gives you a way to compare the drinks. If you dislike strong spirits, the tasting may be less rewarding, although the gin, tonic, and sweeter or fruitier options may offer some variety.

I would skip it if you want a long industrial tour, a full meal, or an activity suitable for children. The distillery is outside the city center, and the taxi cost can reduce the value. You should also allow time for the bus and walk instead of treating it as a quick stop between central attractions.

Should you book Eimverk?

Book it if you want to understand Iceland through its drinks, not just taste them. The strongest reasons are the chance to visit the country’s only whiskey distillery, hear how Flóki was developed, and compare whiskey, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín with a guide who can explain what is in your glass.

I especially like the mix of local story, production detail, and informal tasting. Just eat first, plan your ride home, and remember that the tour is compact. For adults who enjoy spirits, $48 is a sensible spend, and the possibility of a much larger tasting makes it even more appealing.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The tour lasts 75 minutes. It includes an introduction, a guided tasting, a visit to the production facility, and a second tasting session.

What spirits are included?

The advertised tasting includes Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. The number of samples can vary, and some sessions have included additional whiskeys and gins.

Is Eimverk Distillery in central Reykjavík?

No. It is in the Capital Region outside central Reykjavík. You can take bus number 1 to Ásgarður and walk about eight minutes to the distillery.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $48 per person. The price includes the tour, guide, and tastings of three premium spirits.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. It is sensible to eat before the tasting.

Can children attend?

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

What languages are available, and is the venue wheelchair accessible?

The live tour is available in English and Icelandic. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.