Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Iceland makes more than geothermal pools. At Eimverk Distillery, you get a close look at the country’s young but ambitious spirit industry, followed by a generous tasting of whisky, gin, and Brennivín. I especially like the small-group feel and the way the tour connects local ingredients with Icelandic culture. I also like that the tasting is not limited to one flagship bottle: you sample several expressions and learn how they differ.

The main drawback is location. Eimverk is outside central Reykjavik, and a taxi can be costly. Public transit is much cheaper, with the number 1 bus from downtown to Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk, but you need to allow time for the trip. The 75-minute tour is adults-only, and you should eat before arriving.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland’s only whisky distillery: Eimverk makes Flóki, described as Iceland’s first and only whisky.
• Three named spirits included: The basic experience includes tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.
• The tasting may be far larger: Several sessions included nine to thirteen samples, though the exact number can vary.
• A personal guide-led visit: Guides such as Rock, Paul, Eva, Niko, and Roc have been praised for humor, storytelling, and clear explanations.
• Easy by bus, expensive by taxi: Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes.
• Adults only: You must be at least 18 to take part.

Why Eimverk is worth your time in Reykjavik

Iceland is not an old whisky-producing nation. That is part of the appeal. At Eimverk, you are not touring a centuries-old Scottish distillery with generations of inherited methods. You are learning about a modern Icelandic company that had to work out how to make whisky in a country better known for fishing, geothermal energy, and dramatic scenery.

The tour explains how Eimverk developed its products and why making spirits in Iceland presents its own challenges. You hear about the company’s effort to use Icelandic ingredients where possible, including locally grown barley and distinctive botanicals. That gives the visit a sense of place. The drinks are not simply imported recipes poured into Icelandic bottles.

I like the balance between technical detail and local stories. You learn about the production process, but the guide also places the distillery within Iceland’s history, including the period of prohibition. The best guides turn this into a conversation rather than a lecture. Rock, Paul, Eva, Niko, and Roc have each been praised for making the session warm, funny, and easy to follow.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 352 reviews, and the praise is remarkably consistent. The guide’s personality is a major part of the experience. That matters here because the production area is interesting, but not enormous or theatrical. The human explanation brings the equipment and bottles to life.

Arriving at the distillery from central Reykjavik

Eimverk is not in the middle of the old harbor district, so do not treat it as a quick walk from Hallgrímskirkja or Harpa. The practical low-cost route is bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then an eight-minute walk to the distillery.

Several people found the bus simple, reliable, and inexpensive. If you use public transit, check the route and allow extra time for finding the entrance. The area is less obvious than central Reykjavik, and a few visitors found the location or parking arrangement unclear.

A taxi is easier, especially in bad weather, but the cost can change the value calculation. One visitor reported paying about £40 each way from Reykjavik. Others found it easy to request a taxi after the tasting, with one arriving within five minutes. If you are splitting the fare with friends, a taxi may make more sense. If you are alone or on a tight budget, use the bus.

The distillery is wheelchair accessible. The activity is not suitable for children under 18 because alcohol tasting is central to the visit.

The welcome drink and the story of Icelandic spirits

The experience begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. In some sessions, that welcome has included gin and tonic, which gives you an immediate taste of the company’s style before the formal sampling begins.

Your guide then explains the short history of whisky production in Iceland and how Eimverk came to make it. This opening is useful because it provides context for Flóki. You are not tasting an established international brand with a familiar production model. You are tasting the result of a local company developing its methods over time.

The conversation can cover the reasons for starting the distillery, the problems of running a small spirit business in Iceland, and the work required to create a whisky from local grain. You can ask questions throughout, and the format appears to reward curiosity. Small groups have sometimes included only two to four people, while other sessions have had around ten.

That variation changes the mood. A larger group gives you more shared energy. A very small group can feel almost private, with time to ask about particular bottles, flavors, and production choices. If you arrive early, you might receive an extra welcome or small treat, though that is not a guaranteed part of the tour.

Tasting Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín

The official package includes three premium spirits: Flóki whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. In practice, the tasting can extend well beyond those three named products. Some sessions included all of Eimverk’s whiskies and both gins, while others offered nine, twelve, or thirteen samples.

Do not assume that every departure includes the same number of pours. Still, the available feedback suggests that the tasting is generous rather than token-sized. One visitor specifically noted that the samples were not tiny pours. That makes the $48 price easier to justify, particularly if you are interested in spirits rather than simply looking for a quick drink.

The tasting is guided. You learn how to approach each spirit, what differences to notice, and how the products change across a range of ages or styles. The guide may group similar drinks together so you can compare them side by side.

Flóki is the natural focus for whisky fans. It is made from Icelandic barley and represents the country’s attempt to create a local whisky style. You may taste more than one expression, which helps you understand how aging, ingredients, and production choices affect the final drink.

Vor Premium Gin offers a different route into Eimverk’s work. Even visitors who do not usually drink whisky have found something to enjoy in the gin tasting. The blueberry sloe gin and the welcome gin and tonic have been particular favorites, while the company’s gin range gives non-whisky drinkers a good reason to book.

Víti Brennivín introduces you to one of Iceland’s best-known traditional spirit styles. The tasting lets you compare it with gin and whisky rather than treating it as an isolated novelty. That contrast is one of the most useful parts of the session. You can notice how grain spirits, botanical spirits, and aquavit-style flavors occupy very different places on the palate.

Some of the more unusual samples have included birch whisky and a smoked sheep dung whisky. The latter sounds like a dare, but the smoking method is presented as part of the distillery’s experimental approach. You do not need to like every sample. The fun is in seeing how Icelandic materials and ideas are used in unexpected ways.

Inside the production facility

After the first part of the tasting, you leave the tasting room and enter the production area. Here, the guide walks you through the process from barley harvesting to the finished glass of spirit.

This section gives the drinks a physical reality. Instead of hearing only about ingredients and aging, you see the equipment and the place where the work happens. You can take photographs of the production area, provided you follow the guide’s instructions.

The route covers the basic stages of making premium spirits. You learn about the grain, fermentation, distillation, and later development of the products. The exact balance of technical detail depends on the guide, but the best sessions have included clear explanations of how gin and whisky require different treatments.

The production area is not presented as a grand industrial attraction. That is both a strength and a limitation. You are seeing a working local distillery, not a large visitor center built around elaborate displays. If you want a polished, museum-style tour with a long route through massive aging warehouses, this may feel modest. If you prefer a direct look at a small company’s work, the setting feels more genuine.

Returning to the tasting room

The second half of the tasting takes place back in the tasting room. By then, you have enough background to make better sense of the drinks. The guide can explain why two whiskies differ, how a botanical changes a gin, or what makes one sample more smoky, sweet, herbal, or sharp.

This is also where the social side of the tour works best. You sit with other adults, compare impressions, and ask follow-up questions. The tone can be relaxed and playful. One guide was praised for storytelling and even sleight-of-hand magic, while others were described as funny, interactive, and excellent bartenders.

I would not book this expecting a silent, formal tasting. The pleasure comes from conversation. If you are shy about spirits, the guide helps you find a starting point. If you already know whisky or gin, you can ask more detailed questions about ingredients, aging, and production.

You should eat a proper meal beforehand. The tasting can include many samples, and alcohol on an empty stomach is a poor travel plan. Food is not included, so plan to eat before the tour rather than expecting snacks at the distillery.

Is $48 a fair price?

At $48 per person, this is not the cheapest drink-related activity in Reykjavik. But the price includes a guided production tour, a live English or Icelandic-speaking guide, and three named spirit tastings. The number of samples may be much higher, depending on the session.

The value is strongest for whisky and gin fans. You are getting product education, access to a local distillery, and a tasting that can cover much of Eimverk’s range. The visit is also a good choice if you want an indoor activity that feels tied to Iceland rather than a generic bar experience.

The value is weaker if you do not drink spirits or if you are mainly interested in sightseeing. Transport can add a significant cost, especially by taxi. You also do not receive food, hotel pickup, or drop-off.

Bottles and souvenirs are available for purchase at the distillery. Visitors have bought travel-size whisky, glasses, volcanic rock coasters, and full bottles. If you are flying with hand luggage, remember that larger bottles may be easier to buy at the airport duty-free shop. One visitor found Eimverk products much cheaper there because taxes make up much of the retail price in Iceland.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for anyone who likes whisky, gin, aquavit, or the story behind small food and drink producers. It is also a smart rainy-day activity in Reykjavik, particularly if you have already visited the main museums and want something more personal.

The tour suits couples, friends, solo drinkers, and curious visitors who enjoy asking questions. It can work for a whisky expert, but you do not need prior knowledge. The guide explains the tasting process from the beginning, so newcomers can follow along.

I would skip it if you cannot drink alcohol, dislike tasting strong spirits, or have no interest in how drinks are made. The tour is also less convenient if you have only a short stop in central Reykjavik and do not want to spend time getting to Ásgarður.

Book with enough time to reach the distillery, and consider the bus if you want to keep costs down. If the weather is poor or you are sharing the ride with several people, a taxi is more comfortable.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Yes, if you want an unusually local Reykjavik experience and enjoy spirits. The tour offers more than three quick samples: you learn why Icelandic whisky is still a young idea, see how the products are made, and taste across Eimverk’s whisky, gin, and Brennivín range.

The strongest reason to go is the guide-led tasting. Names and staff can vary, but the experience depends heavily on having someone who can explain the drinks with warmth and humor. The transport is the chief nuisance, and taxi costs can be high.

For $48, I think it is good value for a spirit enthusiast, especially if your session includes the wider selection of samples. Eat first, take the number 1 bus if practical, and leave room in your luggage plan for a bottle or a smaller souvenir.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The experience lasts 75 minutes, including the guided tour, production explanation, and tastings.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $48 per person.

Which spirits are included in the tasting?

The included tasting features Flóki Icelandic whisky, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Can I taste more than three spirits?

You might. The advertised package names three spirits, but some sessions have included nine, twelve, or thirteen samples, including several whiskies and gins.

How do I reach Eimverk by bus?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own bus, taxi, or other transport.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. Eat before the tasting, especially because some sessions offer many samples.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Icelandic.

Can children join the tour?

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

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.