Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Icelandic spirits have a short but lively story. At Eimverk Distillery, you get a close look at that story, from Icelandic barley and unusual local ingredients to finished bottles of Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín. I especially like the friendly, story-led guides and the chance to compare several spirits side by side. The main drawback is the location, which sits outside central Reykjavík and takes a little planning to reach.

The 75-minute visit costs $48 per person and includes the tour, guide, and tastings. I also like that it feels personal rather than polished into a large factory show. Guides such as Rock, Paul, Niko, Eva, and Roc have been praised for making the session funny, relaxed, and easy to follow. Just eat before you arrive. The tasting can be much more generous than the advertised three spirits.

Key points at a glance

• Iceland’s only whiskey producer: Learn how Flóki became the country’s first and only whiskey.
• More than three samples may appear: The standard offer lists three premium spirits, but some sessions include a much wider range of whiskey, gin, and other products.
• A real production visit: You move from the tasting room into the working production area and follow the process from barley to bottle.
• Unusual flavors: Depending on the tasting, you might encounter birch whiskey, blueberry sloe gin, or smoked sheep dung whiskey.
• Simple public transport: Take bus number 1 from central Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes.
• Best for adults who enjoy spirits: The tour is not suitable for anyone under 18 and works especially well for whiskey and gin fans.

Why Eimverk is worth your time

Reykjavík has plenty of cafés, museums, pools, and bars competing for your attention. Eimverk gives you something different: a look at a modern Icelandic product being developed almost from scratch.

Iceland does not have the centuries-old whiskey tradition associated with Scotland or Ireland. That is exactly what makes this visit interesting. You are not simply hearing a familiar production story with a local accent. You are learning how a small Icelandic company created its own approach, worked with local ingredients, and built a range of spirits in a country better known for waterfalls, hot water, and fermented shark.

The tour connects the distillery’s story with Iceland’s wider past, including the country’s period of prohibition. That gives the tasting more context. Brennivín, often called Iceland’s national spirit, is not just another strong drink on the table. It belongs to a distinctly Icelandic drinking culture, and Víti Brennivín lets you explore that tradition alongside newer products.

The setting also helps. Eimverk is a family-run business, and the tone is usually informal. You can ask questions, compare opinions with the rest of the group, and speak directly with the guide instead of standing behind a rope while a recorded voice explains the machinery.

Arrival in Ásgarður

The distillery is in the Capital Region rather than in the center of Reykjavík. That is the one part of the outing that needs care.

From downtown, take bus number 1 to Ásgarður. From there, the walk takes about eight minutes. Several people have found the bus route easy and inexpensive, but the location can still feel less obvious than a central attraction. Check the exact starting time and allow room for the bus and the final walk.

A taxi is the simplest choice if you want door-to-door transport, particularly in bad weather or after drinking. It can also be expensive. One report described a taxi ride from Reykjavík as costing about £40 each way, so the bus makes more sense for a budget-conscious visit. After the tasting, taxi pickup has been described as quick, but you should still arrange your ride before the final glass if you do not want to wait outside.

Parking details can be unclear at first, although parking directly in front of the entrance has worked for some visitors. If you use a wheelchair, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. For everyone else, wear sensible shoes and a warm layer. The production facility is a working industrial space, not a hotel lounge.

The welcome drink and the Icelandic backstory

The visit starts with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. Some sessions have included a gin and tonic before the main tasting begins, so the first drink may be more generous than you expect.

Your guide then sets out the story of Icelandic whiskey and explains how Eimverk began producing it. This is a useful opening because it tells you what to listen for later. You learn about the company’s aims, the problems of making spirits in Iceland, and the choices behind its recipes.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Rock has been praised for combining technical detail with humor, while Paul has been described as a strong storyteller and bartender. Niko has been noted for keeping the discussion interactive, and Eva has connected the distillery’s story with Icelandic culture. Names and staff may change, but the format gives you plenty of time to ask questions.

This is not a lecture you need to endure before reaching the good part. The introduction helps you taste with more purpose. You begin to notice how ingredients, aging, smoke, sweetness, and alcohol strength affect what is in your glass.

Tasting Flóki, Vor, and Víti

The official tasting includes three premium spirits:

• Flóki Icelandic whiskey
• Vor Premium Gin
• Víti Brennivín

Flóki is the headline pour. It is Iceland’s first and only whiskey, and the guide explains how Eimverk developed it. The company aims to use Icelandic ingredients where possible, including local barley. That local focus gives the whiskey a clear sense of place, even if you normally drink Scotch, bourbon, or Irish whiskey.

Vor Premium Gin offers a useful contrast. You can move from a grain spirit shaped by aging to a cleaner, more botanical drink. It is a good choice for anyone who does not think of themselves as a whiskey drinker. One unusual result of this tour is that some people arrive mainly for a partner and end up enjoying the gin just as much, or the other way around.

Víti Brennivín brings the tasting back to Icelandic tradition. Brennivín has a strong reputation, and the session gives you a chance to try it in a guided setting rather than ordering an unknown shot in a bar.

The advertised package names three spirits, but the actual tasting can be much broader. Depending on the session, you may sample several whiskeys and gins, different ages or styles, and additional products from the distillery. Some visitors have tasted nine, twelve, or even thirteen spirits. That is not something I would treat as a guaranteed number, but it does make the $48 price look strong when the guide offers a larger selection.

Pours have also been described as more than tiny symbolic sips. Take that seriously. This is why eating beforehand matters, even though food is not included. Drink slowly, use water if available, and do not plan to drive afterward.

Inside the production area

After the first half of the tasting, you leave the tasting room and enter the production facility. This is the part that turns a pleasant drinking session into a proper distillery visit.

The guide walks you through the process from barley harvesting to the finished liquor. You learn how the raw material is handled, how the spirit is produced, and how the final character develops. The exact machinery and products you see can vary with the working schedule, but the point is to connect the liquid in your glass with the steps behind it.

The production room also explains why Icelandic whiskey is not simply an imitation of Scotch. Eimverk has had to make decisions suited to local conditions and ingredients. The company’s attempt to use Icelandic barley and other home-grown materials gives the discussion a practical angle. You are hearing about production choices, not just a national marketing slogan.

You can take photographs in the production area. Keep in mind that this is a functioning facility, so follow the guide’s instructions and do not expect an elaborate museum display. The appeal is seeing where the work happens and asking questions while you are close to the equipment.

The second tasting and the unusual bottles

You return to the tasting room for the second half of the sampling. This is often where the session becomes most social. The guide explains the drinks as you taste them, and you can compare your reactions with the people around you.

Eimverk’s range can include more than the three headline spirits. Additional whiskey expressions, gins, and vodka may appear. Particularly memorable examples have included birch whiskey and a whiskey smoked with sheep dung. The latter sounds like a dare, but it is presented as a serious experiment in smoke and flavor.

You may also encounter blueberry sloe gin and other flavored products. These samples help show the range of the distillery. If you only like traditional whiskey, you can compare the core expressions. If you prefer gin or sweeter fruit-led drinks, you have other directions to explore.

The guide also explains how to taste properly and how to pick out different notes. That instruction is helpful for beginners, while experienced whiskey drinkers may appreciate comparing younger and older expressions or seeing how local ingredients change the profile.

There is a shop where you can buy bottles and small gifts such as branded glasses or volcanic rock coasters. Large bottles may be a problem if you are traveling with hand luggage. Iceland’s airport duty-free shops can be a better place to buy bottles because the tax difference is substantial, as long as your travel plans allow it.

How personal is the experience?

Group size can shape the entire visit. Some sessions have had only two or four people, while others have included around ten. A small group allows more questions and can turn the tasting into a private-feeling conversation. A larger group may bring more energy and more opinions around the table.

The best guides keep the balance right. You get technical information about distillation, but also stories, jokes, and time to talk. The strongest feedback has focused on the staff’s warmth, humor, and ability to explain complicated work in plain language.

That said, the tour is not a silent tasting for people who want to concentrate alone. You are expected to interact with the guide and the group. If you dislike social tastings or strong spirits, the format may feel too lively.

The standard duration is 75 minutes. That is enough time for an introduction, a first tasting, the production visit, and a second tasting, but it is not a full afternoon workshop. If your session includes many extra samples, the pace may feel especially full. I would avoid booking it immediately before a tightly timed excursion.

Is $48 a fair price?

At $48, this is not a cheap drink stop. Iceland is expensive, and the price includes more than alcohol. You are paying for a guided production visit, a local food-and-drink story, and a tasting that can expand well beyond the three listed spirits.

The value is strongest if you like whiskey, gin, or the process behind spirits. A whiskey fan can compare several expressions and learn why Icelandic production differs from better-known whiskey regions. A gin drinker gets a useful look at the same company’s botanical work. Even a casual drinker can enjoy the history and the friendly presentation, provided the alcohol itself is part of the appeal.

The value is weaker if you want a quick central Reykjavík activity or a food-pairing experience. Food is not included, and the trip out to Ásgarður adds transport costs and time. You should also remember that the number of samples is not fixed at the larger totals sometimes offered.

I would consider the tour good value for an adult who plans to buy a bottle or wants a memorable Icelandic activity beyond the usual sightseeing circuit. It is less suitable for anyone who rarely drinks or has no interest in spirits.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

• Eat first. The tasting can include many pours, and food is not provided.
• Use bus number 1 from central Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes.
• Consider a taxi in poor weather, but check the cost before you commit.
• Do not rely on the three-spirit description alone. You may receive a broader tasting, so pace yourself.
• Bring a warm layer for the transfer and production area.
• Plan your bottle purchase. Checked luggage is needed for full-size bottles on a flight, while airport duty-free may be cheaper.
• Arrive with questions. The guides are happy to discuss ingredients, methods, Icelandic drinking culture, and the company’s experiments.
• Leave enough time afterward. A 75-minute schedule can feel tight if you need to catch a bus or timed tour immediately afterward.

Who should book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you enjoy whiskey, gin, Brennivín, or small-scale food and drink production. It is also a fine choice if you have already seen Reykjavík’s main sights and want an activity that connects local business with Icelandic culture.

I would especially recommend it for couples, small groups, and people who enjoy asking questions. The easygoing guides are a major reason the visit works, and a small group can make the tasting feel almost private.

Skip it if you are under 18, avoiding alcohol, or unwilling to spend time getting outside the city center. You may also want to pass if your schedule is packed with day trips and you cannot allow for the bus ride, walking, and post-tasting transport.

For the right visitor, Eimverk offers a rare Icelandic story in a glass. You see the production, hear how the company built its whiskey, and taste products that could not have come from just anywhere. That combination makes the $48 fare worthwhile, especially when the guide turns the tasting into a warm, funny conversation rather than a routine sales pitch.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour take?

The experience lasts 75 minutes, including the introduction, tasting, production visit, and second tasting session.

How much does the tour 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. The standard information lists three premium spirits, but some sessions have included a wider selection of whiskey, gin, vodka, and flavored products.

How do I reach the distillery by bus?

Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður. From the bus stop, walk about eight minutes to the distillery.

Is the distillery in central Reykjavík?

No. It is in the Capital Region outside central Reykjavík, so you need to allow time for public transport, walking, or a taxi.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so eat before the tasting.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks English and Icelandic.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.