Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Eimverk Distillery gives you a close look at Iceland’s young but inventive spirit industry. You’ll see how local barley becomes Flóki, Iceland’s first and only whisky, then taste it alongside Vor Premium Gin and Víti Brennivín. Some sessions include extra samples from the distillery’s wider range.

I like the personal tasting format and the way the tour connects drink-making with Icelandic history. I also like the chance to compare spirits made from local ingredients, including unusual whisky experiments such as birch and smoked sheep dung. The main drawback is location: the distillery sits outside central Reykjavik, and a taxi can be costly.

• Iceland’s only whisky: Learn how Eimverk developed Flóki from locally grown barley.
• More than three samples may be served: The advertised tasting includes three premium spirits, but some sessions offer a much wider selection.
• Guides make the difference: Guides including Rock, Paul, Niko, Eva, and Roc have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and good tasting advice.
• Bus access is possible: Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk.
• Plan for alcohol, not lunch: Food is not included, and several samples may be offered, so eat before you arrive.
• Adults only: This experience is for visitors aged 18 and over.

Why Eimverk Is Worth Your Time in Reykjavik

Iceland is better known for waterfalls, volcanoes, and geothermal pools than for whisky. That is exactly what makes Eimverk interesting. The distillery is part of a short Icelandic tradition of spirit production, and its story is tied to the practical challenge of making premium liquor in a country with a small population, a cool climate, and a limited supply of locally grown grain.

The tour does not simply place a glass in your hand and send you on your way. You first hear how the company began, why it chose whisky and gin, and how Flóki developed over time. You then move through the production area before returning to the tasting room for more samples and discussion.

At $48 per person, this is not a cheap drink stop. I think the price makes sense if you are interested in whisky, gin, Icelandic food and drink, or small-scale production. You are paying for a 75-minute guided visit, three included premium spirits at minimum, and an explanation of how the products are made. If you only want a quick drink, a Reykjavik bar will cost less and require less effort.

The Welcome Drink and Eimverk’s Icelandic Story

The experience begins with an introduction to the distillery and a welcome drink. This first part sets up the tasting rather than rushing straight into it. You learn about the company, the place of whisky in Iceland, and the reasons Eimverk began making spirits.

That background matters because Flóki is not simply an Icelandic label placed on a familiar product. Eimverk’s aim is to use Icelandic ingredients when possible, including local barley. The process has required experimentation, and the guide explains how the company moved from an idea to a working distillery.

The story also touches on Iceland’s period of prohibition and the country’s changing relationship with alcohol. That gives the tasting a wider setting. You are not just learning how a still works. You are hearing how a young industry developed in a country where whisky-making was never an old rural tradition.

Guides have included Rock, Paul, Niko, Eva, Roc, and others. Names and personalities vary by departure, but the strongest part of the experience is the guide’s role. The best guides mix technical information with stories, jokes, and direct answers. You can ask questions throughout, which makes this feel less like a fixed speech and more like a small workshop.

Tasting Flóki, Vor, and Víti Brennivín

The first tasting section introduces the core products. You sample Flóki whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín, the spirit often linked most closely with Icelandic drinking culture. Each drink gives you a different way to think about ingredients, distillation, and aging.

Flóki is the main reason many people book. It is Iceland’s first and only whisky, so you are tasting a product with a clear national identity. The guide explains the thinking behind it and how its development has changed as Eimverk gained experience.

Vor Premium Gin offers a useful contrast. Gin can show off botanicals in a way whisky does not, and Eimverk’s version gives you another view of the distillery’s work. Brennivín adds a distinctly Icelandic element to the lineup. Even if you arrive mainly for whisky, tasting all three helps you understand why the company makes several types of spirit.

The advertised format promises three premium spirits, but the actual selection may be broader. Some sessions have included several whiskies, both gins, vodka, and different experimental or limited products. Reports of nine, twelve, or even thirteen samples appear in the tour feedback. Do not treat those numbers as a guarantee, but do expect the possibility of a larger tasting than the basic description suggests.

That variation can be a benefit. A small group may receive more time with the guide and a wider sample of the range. A larger group may follow a more standard tasting. Either way, ask questions and take notes if you care about remembering the differences.

Inside the Production Facility

After the first part of the tasting, you head into the production area. This is where the tour earns its place as more than a bar tasting.

The guide walks through the process from barley harvesting to the finished spirit. You learn how the raw material is prepared, how fermentation and distillation fit into the process, and how the distillery develops its products. The exact amount of technical detail depends on the guide and the questions you ask, but the tour is designed to explain the full route from grain to glass.

The production room is also the most visual part of the visit. You can take photographs of the equipment and see the working setting behind the bottles. It is not a grand historic distillery with centuries-old buildings. Instead, you get a look at a modern Icelandic business still shaping its methods.

The unusual experimental whiskies make this section even more memorable. Samples have included birch whisky and a smoked sheep dung whisky. The latter sounds like a joke, but the point is the smoking method and the flavor it adds, not an ingredient placed directly into your drink. These products show how Eimverk tests Icelandic ideas rather than copying a standard Scottish model.

If you are a serious whisky fan, you may want more time around the equipment than 75 minutes allows. The tour is compact, and much of the time goes to tasting and explanation. That balance suits most visitors, but it is worth knowing that this is an introduction to production rather than a long technical seminar.

Returning to the Tasting Room

The second tasting session takes place after the production visit. Returning to the tasting room gives the experience a natural rhythm: learn the background, taste the spirits, see how they are produced, then taste again with more context.

This is also where the personal side of the tour comes through. A good guide explains how to approach each sample and points out the differences between younger and older products or between related spirits. You can compare samples in sequence instead of drinking one glass without any reference point.

The setting seems especially well suited to small groups. Several sessions have had only two to four people, while others have included around ten. A smaller group means more room for questions and conversation. A larger group can bring more energy, but you may have less time for individual discussion.

Guides are often praised for humor as well as technical ability. Paul has been described as a strong storyteller and bartender, while Rock has been singled out for detailed explanations and tasting advice. Niko and Eva have also led warm, informative sessions. Staff can change, so book this for the distillery itself rather than expecting a particular person.

The tasting can be generous, and that is one reason I would not arrive on an empty stomach. Food is not included. You do not need to plan a meal at the distillery, but eating beforehand is sensible, especially if your session includes more than the three stated samples.

Getting to Ásgarður from Central Reykjavik

The location is the biggest practical issue. Eimverk is not in central Reykjavik, so you need to allow time for the journey.

By bus, take route number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður. From there, the walk to the distillery takes about eight minutes. One useful departure point is near the Harpa area, although you should check the current stop and schedule before setting out.

The bus is the budget choice and can be straightforward if you follow the directions carefully. Give yourself a little extra time so you are not trying to find the building just before the start. The area may feel less central than the streets around Hallgrímskirkja or the harbor, which is why clear directions matter.

A taxi is simpler, especially for an evening booking or poor weather. The tradeoff is price. One report described a taxi from central Reykjavik as expensive, while another found a taxi after the tasting within about five minutes of requesting one. The return trip may be easy to arrange, but you should still consider the added cost when judging the total value.

Driving is another option, though alcohol means you should not plan to drive after the tasting. If you are renting a car for Iceland, leave it parked and arrange transport back to your accommodation.

Buying Bottles and Icelandic Gifts

The distillery can sell bottles and related items, giving you a chance to take home something more personal than a standard souvenir. Small travel-size whisky bottles and branded glasses have been purchased by visitors, and volcanic rock coasters have also been available.

Flight rules matter here. Full-size bottles cannot go through airport security in hand luggage, so you need checked baggage if you buy at the distillery. Another option is to buy Eimverk products at the airport duty-free shop before your flight home. The final price can be lower there because Icelandic taxes make up a large part of the normal retail cost.

Do not assume every product or size will be in stock on the day of your visit. If buying a bottle matters to you, ask the guide what is available and think about how you will pack it. A small bottle or glassware may be easier to carry than a full-size spirit bottle.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend Eimverk to anyone who enjoys whisky, gin, aquavit-style spirits, or the practical story behind local food and drink. It is also a good choice if you have already seen Reykjavik’s main sights and want an indoor activity that feels specific to Iceland.

You do not need to be a whisky expert. The guides explain how to taste and describe the products in accessible terms. People who normally prefer gin may find plenty to enjoy, and even non-spirit drinkers can learn from the production side.

The tour suits couples, small groups, and solo visitors who are happy to share a table with other adults. It is not suitable for children under 18. It also may not be ideal if you dislike alcohol, want a full meal, or prefer an activity in the center of town.

Wheelchair access is listed as available. If you have detailed mobility needs, confirm the arrangements before booking, since the tour includes movement between the tasting room and production facility.

The experience is offered in English and Icelandic. English-language guiding has been praised by international visitors, and the tour is designed to include questions and conversation rather than only a memorized presentation.

Is Eimverk Distillery Good Value at $48?

At $48, the value depends on what you want from a Reykjavik activity. For a simple tasting, the cost is high. For a guided look at Iceland’s only whisky distillery, followed by a structured tasting and a production visit, it is more reasonable.

The strongest value comes when you receive several samples beyond the three core spirits. That does happen, but it is not promised in the basic inclusions. I would book expecting Flóki, Vor, and Víti Brennivín, then treat any extra whisky, gin, or vodka as a bonus.

The 75-minute duration is enough to give you a proper introduction without taking up an entire day. You can pair it with other Reykjavik plans, but allow time for the bus or taxi. The experience is also a useful rainy-day choice, since the main activities take place indoors.

Flexible booking helps if your Iceland plans are weather-dependent. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Check the available start times before fitting it around dinner or another booked activity.

Should You Book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you want to taste something distinctly Icelandic and understand how a small local producer makes whisky, gin, and Brennivín. The combination of local barley, experimental flavors, production equipment, and a conversational tasting makes the visit more interesting than a standard bar flight.

I would be more cautious if your schedule is tight, your budget is limited, or you want to avoid a trip outside central Reykjavik. The bus is manageable, but a taxi can add a serious cost. Eat first, plan your ride home, and remember that the tasting may include more alcohol than the basic three-sample description suggests.

For whisky fans, this is an easy recommendation. For gin drinkers, it is still worth considering because Vor and the wider Eimverk range receive plenty of attention. For everyone else, book only if the story of Icelandic production sounds as appealing as the drinks themselves.

FAQ

Where is Eimverk Distillery located?

Eimverk Distillery is in the Capital Region of Iceland, outside central Reykjavik. From the bus stop at Ásgarður, the walk to the distillery takes about eight minutes.

How long does the tour last?

The guided experience lasts 75 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $48 per person.

Which spirits are included?

The stated tasting includes Flóki, Iceland’s first and only whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Some sessions may include additional Eimverk spirits.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so eating before the tasting is a sensible choice.

Can children join the tour?

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

What languages are available?

The live tour is offered in English and Icelandic.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.