Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Eimverk Distillery makes Iceland’s first and only whiskey, and this 75-minute visit takes you from barley to bottle. I especially like the personal tasting format and the way the tour connects a young Icelandic business with the country’s older traditions, including Brennivín and the years of prohibition. Guides such as Rock, Paul, Niko, and Eva have made the visit lively, clear, and easy to follow.

I also like that you see the production area rather than sitting through a tasting alone. The main catch is getting there: Bus 1 from downtown Reykjavik reaches Ásgarður, followed by an eight-minute walk, while a taxi is simpler but can cost much more than the tour itself. Eat before you arrive, too. The tasting can be generous.

Key points at a glance

• Taste Iceland’s only whiskey: Sample Flóki alongside Vor Premium Gin and Víti Brennivín.
• See the production side: Follow the process from Icelandic barley harvesting through distillation and aging.
• Expect more than three pours: The advertised tasting covers three premium spirits, but sessions have included a much wider range.
• Meet the people behind the bottles: Guides including Rock, Paul, Niko, and Eva explain the products with humor and practical detail.
• Plan your transport: Bus 1 is the budget choice; a taxi is easier, especially after drinking.
• Adults only: The experience is for visitors aged 18 and over and is wheelchair accessible.

Why Eimverk is more than a standard tasting

The most interesting part of this visit is the sense of a young spirit-making tradition taking shape. Iceland is better known for dramatic scenery, geothermal pools, and Viking-era stories than for whiskey. At Eimverk, you get a look at how local producers are building something new with Icelandic ingredients and a strong sense of place.

Eimverk produces Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. The distillery also makes other spirits, including vodka and specialty whiskey releases. The exact selection poured can vary, but the core experience introduces you to the three named products and often adds several more.

I like this approach because you are not simply handed a glass and told to admire it. The guide explains why each spirit tastes different and how the ingredients and production choices affect the final drink. You can ask questions as you go, making the visit feel more like a conversation than a lecture.

The atmosphere also depends on the guide and group size. Small sessions can feel almost private. Larger groups still have room for questions, but the most intimate visits are naturally the ones with only a few people. Guides have included Rock, Paul, Niko, Eva, and others, and the strongest part of their work is the combination of technical information, local background, and an easy sense of humor.

The welcome drink sets the tone

The tour begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. Some sessions have included a gin and tonic before the formal tasting begins, giving you a gentle introduction to the distillery’s style.

This first drink matters more than it might seem. It gives the guide a chance to explain how the tasting will work and gives you time to settle in before the more concentrated spirits arrive. If you are new to whiskey or Brennivín, this is a useful, relaxed start.

The guide then outlines the short but notable story of Icelandic spirit production. You hear how whiskey came to be made at Eimverk, why local ingredients matter, and how the company developed its products. Icelandic production has its own constraints, so the story includes more than recipes and equipment. It is also about creating a distillery in a country without a long established whiskey industry.

You should feel free to ask questions during this part. The guides have been praised for explaining technical points in plain English and for adding stories about Iceland, local culture, and the company’s early work. The tour is available in English and Icelandic.

Flóki, Vor, and Víti in the tasting room

The tasting is split into two parts, with the production visit between them. In the first half, you start sampling the products while learning how each one is made. The guide discusses the thought behind the spirits, their development, and the differences between them.

Flóki is the obvious focus for whiskey fans. It is Iceland’s first and only whiskey, and Eimverk uses Icelandic barley in its production. You may taste different expressions or ages, allowing you to compare how the spirit changes over time. The tasting is not just about finding a favorite bottle. It teaches you how to notice aroma, texture, finish, and the effect of aging.

Vor Premium Gin gives the session a different direction. Icelandic botanicals and local ingredients play a role where possible, and the gin can be a good choice for someone who does not usually drink whiskey. One useful surprise for first-time visitors is that some of the gin may have a character closer to whiskey than expected, depending on the expression.

Víti Brennivín brings you to one of Iceland’s best-known traditional spirit styles. Brennivín is often associated with Icelandic food and custom, so sampling it here helps connect the modern distillery with the country’s drinking culture. The guide explains what you are tasting instead of assuming you already know the style.

The official format promises three premium spirits, but you should not be surprised if the session expands beyond that. Some tastings have included nine, twelve, or even thirteen samples across Eimverk’s whiskey, gin, and other products. This is a major part of the value, but it is also why you should eat first and pace yourself.

Inside the production facility

After the first tasting, you walk into the production area. This is where the experience earns its place as a distillery tour rather than a bar tasting.

The guide takes you through the process from the beginning, including the harvesting of barley, and explains how the grain becomes a finished spirit. You learn about the stages that separate whiskey from gin and other products. The exact equipment and production details are best understood in person, since the visit lets you connect the spoken explanation with the actual working area.

You can take photographs in the production space. For many people, this is the most useful section because it turns an abstract description into something visible. You see where production happens, then return to the tasting room with a better idea of how the work, time, and choices behind each bottle affect the drink in your glass.

Eimverk’s use of Icelandic ingredients is a recurring theme. The goal is not that every element must come from Iceland in every case, but the distillery tries to use what can be grown locally. That effort gives the products a clear connection to their home country and makes the tasting more than a comparison with Scottish or American whiskey.

Some special releases are especially memorable. Past samples have included birch whiskey and a smoked sheep dung whiskey. Those unusual expressions may not be available at every visit, so treat them as possible extras rather than guaranteed pours. They do show the experimental side of the distillery and make the tour a good choice for anyone curious about spirits beyond familiar styles.

The second tasting is where the visit opens up

Back in the tasting room, the sampling continues. This second half gives you time to compare what you have tried and ask more specific questions. The guide explains how to taste properly and may group similar spirits together so you can notice the differences more clearly.

That structure is helpful if you are not a serious whiskey drinker. Rather than expecting you to identify obscure flavors immediately, the guide gives you a way to approach each glass. Smell first, take a small sip, notice the texture, and think about the finish. You can also discuss what you like or dislike without needing specialist vocabulary.

This is a social part of the tour. You sit with other adults, share impressions, and hear the guide’s stories between pours. Small groups tend to create the best chance for direct conversation. A private-feeling session can happen when few people book a particular time, but group size is not guaranteed.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Rock has been praised for combining product knowledge with humor and storytelling. Paul has been described as especially strong on technical detail and hospitality. Niko has led interactive tastings, while Eva has connected the distillery’s story with Icelandic history and culture. Your guide may be someone else, but the format gives the host plenty of room to shape the visit.

Is the $48 price good value?

At $48 per person, the tour is not a cheap drink stop. It is a fair price if you want a guided visit, a look at the production area, and a structured tasting rather than a single cocktail.

The value improves when the session includes extra samples. The listed package covers three premium spirits, but many visits have included a broad selection of whiskey and gin. You are also paying for the explanation behind the drinks, the guide’s time, and access to the production side.

I would compare it with the cost of buying several drinks in central Reykjavik. The tour can offer more variety and a clearer sense of what you are tasting. On the other hand, if you only want one glass of Icelandic whiskey, a bar may be simpler.

Bottles and related items may be available for purchase at the distillery. Small bottles, glasses, and volcanic rock coasters have been among the items visitors have bought. If you are flying with hand luggage, remember that a full-size bottle may not be practical. Eimverk products have also been available at the airport duty-free shop, and that can be cheaper because of the taxes included in regular retail prices.

Reaching Ásgarður from central Reykjavik

The distillery is in the Reykjavik capital area, but it is not a central downtown attraction. From downtown, take Bus 1 to Ásgarður, then walk about eight minutes to the distillery. The bus is the sensible low-cost option if you are comfortable following the route and walking a short distance.

A taxi is more direct and can be the better choice in poor weather or if you have limited time. The drawback is price. One reported taxi journey from Reykjavik cost about £40 each way, which can make transport a large part of your total budget. After a generous tasting, a taxi also avoids the need to navigate public transport.

Give yourself time to find the entrance. Some people have found it easy to locate, while others have had a less smooth arrival. Check the route before leaving central Reykjavik, and do not schedule the tour so tightly that a delayed bus creates stress.

The tour lasts 75 minutes, though you may want extra time for transport, shopping, and a possible conversation after the formal program. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps if your Iceland plans depend on weather.

Who will enjoy this distillery visit?

You should book this if you like whiskey, gin, unusual spirits, or small local businesses with a clear sense of purpose. It is particularly good for anyone who wants to understand how a drink is made rather than simply sample it.

It also works well for couples and small groups. A whiskey fan can focus on Flóki while a gin drinker explores Vor. People who do not usually drink whiskey may still enjoy the gin, the local story, and the chance to compare unfamiliar flavors in a low-pressure setting.

The visit is less suitable if you want a major sightseeing attraction in central Reykjavik or a short, alcohol-free cultural activity. It is also not for children under 18. Food is not included, so plan a meal before or after the tour.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm the current route and access details when booking if you have specific mobility needs. The available guide languages are English and Icelandic.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

I would book this tour if you have an interest in Icelandic products and can spare the time to travel outside the center. The combination of Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, Víti Brennivín, production access, and a personable guide gives you a better understanding of Iceland than a bottle bought from a shop alone.

The strongest reasons to go are the tasting range and the guides. The session may begin with three featured spirits and grow into a long lineup, so it offers good value for people who enjoy sampling. The main reasons to hesitate are the transport cost, the lack of included food, and the fact that the experience centers on alcohol rather than general sightseeing.

Eat first, take Bus 1 if you want to save money, and use a taxi if convenience matters more. For a relaxed look at Iceland’s small but ambitious whiskey scene, Eimverk is a smart addition to a Reykjavik stay.

FAQ

How long does the Eimverk Distillery tour last?

The guided experience lasts 75 minutes. This includes the introduction, tasting, production visit, and second tasting session.

Which spirits are included?

The listed tasting includes three premium spirits: Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Additional samples may be offered during the session, but the exact selection can vary.

How do I reach the distillery by bus?

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

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guides lead the experience in English or 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.