Reykjavik: Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Whiskey in a place you would not expect. In 75 minutes at Eimverk Distillery in Reykjavik, you step into a small-group tasting built around Iceland spirits like Flóki whiskey. It is a focused stop that feels more like conversation than a lecture.

During the tour, I love how the guide slows things down so you actually taste with intention. You learn Icelandic spirit history, then move through Vor Premium Gin and Víti Brennivín with clear explanations of what you are smelling and sipping. It makes the drinks feel approachable, even if you are new to whiskey.

One possible drawback is practical: there is no hotel pickup and no food included, so do not arrive hungry. Getting there takes some transit and walking, and you will want your energy for the full tasting rounds.

Key takeaways

• Flóki whiskey in Iceland: you taste Iceland’s first and only whiskey, made right at Eimverk
• Guides who answer questions: expect back-and-forth Q and a, not a one-way talk
• Two-part tasting flow: sample first, see the production area, then sample again
• Photo-friendly production visit: you get time to look around the facility
• A broad spirits spread: the tour centers on gin and Brennivín too, not only whiskey
• Good value for a guided tasting: $48 gets you the distillery tour plus tastings of 3 premium spirits

Getting to Eimverk Distillery: bus 1 to Ásgarður plus an 8 minute walk

Eimverk is not in the middle of Reykjavik’s main hotel strip, so plan for a short commute. If you take public transit, the meeting instructions are straightforward: take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then walk about 8 minutes.

If that walk sounds like a lot, you can still use a taxi. Several people note that taxi pickup after the experience is easy, and it saves time if the weather is rough. Either way, the key is to build in a little buffer so you are not rushing at the start.

Tip that helps: if you can, arrive a bit early. One person said they reached about 30 minutes early and that they got a little extra treat during check-in, so showing up early may pay off.

75 minutes on the clock: welcome drink, history talk, and two tasting rounds

This is a tight, well-paced visit. The whole experience is designed to fit into 75 minutes, so you get a complete arc without feeling stuck for hours.

Step 1: welcome drink and distillery intro

You start with an introduction to the distillery and a welcome drink. Then the guide sets the stage with context on how Icelandic spirit making developed, including the short but meaningful history behind the craft in Iceland.

This first portion is also your chance to ask questions. I like this format because it keeps the tour from feeling scripted, and you can steer the discussion toward what you actually want to know.

Step 2: history of whiskey in Iceland, then tasting begins

After the intro, you get the story behind whiskey in Iceland and how production landed at Eimverk. Then the tasting starts in the tasting area, moving product by product.

The session is structured so you can compare the styles. If you are the type who usually orders one predictable drink, this tour is a chance to learn how different spirits taste and how production choices show up in the glass.

Step 3: tour the production area

Once the first part of the tasting is done, you head to the production facility. You learn the process steps from the beginning, starting with barley harvesting, then continuing through how the spirits are made.

This is also the moment to slow down and look around. The tour includes time to take photos of the fascinating production area, which is a nice bonus since many tastings skip the factory view.

Step 4: back to the tasting room for round two

You return to the tasting room for the second half of the sampling. This is where the guide tends to link what you tasted earlier with what you saw in production, and the best guides keep the pace upbeat while giving you time to talk.

It is also a social moment. You mingle with other curious travelers and your guide shares extra stories as you work through the remaining pours.

What you taste at Eimverk: Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín

The heart of this tour is tasting three premium spirits: Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Here is why that trio matters for you as a visitor.

Flóki whiskey, Iceland’s first and only whiskey

Flóki is presented as Iceland’s first and only whiskey, made for the local market and built around Icelandic ingredients where possible. Even if you do not think you are a whiskey person, the guide’s job here is to help you taste it in a way that makes sense, from aroma to finish.

I like that the tour does not treat whiskey as a niche hobby. It’s positioned as part of Iceland’s broader story.

Vor Premium Gin, a different style of Icelandic spirit

Gin can be a swingy drink, depending on what botanicals you expect and what you usually like. Vor Premium Gin is served as a contrast to the whiskey, so you can notice how the guide’s explanations change how you perceive the flavors.

If you like gin, this tour is basically a focused tasting session that gives you real learning, not just a single cocktail moment.

Víti Brennivín, Iceland’s bold liqueur-style spirit

Brennivín is a signature spirit in Iceland, and Víti is Eimverk’s version. This is the pour that often makes people sit up a bit, because it gives you a stronger, more distinct profile than a standard gin-and-tonic experience.

I also appreciate that you do not have to be an expert. The guide helps you taste and understand what makes it different.

Possible extra pours, depending on your session

The tour description says tastings of 3 premium spirits are included. Still, multiple people describe getting additional pours during their session, with reports of tasting a larger spread than expected.

So treat the three named spirits as the core, and stay ready for the possibility of additional whiskies, like birch whiskey or even smoked sheep dung whiskey, if your tasting day includes them. It is a fun way to compare styles without paying separately for every sample.

Behind the scenes at the distillery: from barley harvesting to the last glass

One of the strongest parts of this experience is that you do not just hear about alcohol. You see the production area and learn the process steps from the start.

The tour specifically calls out barley harvesting as the beginning point. That is a big deal because it connects the drink back to the land. Iceland is not known for traditional grain farming in the same way as some whiskey regions, so when you learn how the ingredients feed into the product, the tasting starts making sense in a new way.

You also get a real sense of how much effort goes into building Icelandic spirits. The guide explains what they are thinking at each stage, and you end up with a clearer picture of why the final glass tastes the way it does.

And yes, you should bring your phone for photos, since the production area includes time for pictures.

Why the guides make this tour: conversation, humor, and real pacing

The standout theme in people’s experiences is the guide. Different names show up, including Roc, Paul, Eva, Niko, and Rock, and the common thread is that the guide keeps it interactive.

You can expect to hear stories while tasting, but you also get real space to ask questions. I like that because alcohol tours can easily become one-note. Here, the guide’s job is to help you compare what you taste while keeping the group comfortable enough to talk.

A few people also specifically mention that guides were funny and engaging, and that the tasting felt personal rather than rushed. Even if you are traveling solo, that personal feel matters. You end up learning more, and the experience feels easier to remember later.

Price and value at about $48 per person for a 75 minute tasting

At $48 per person, this is not a throwaway activity. You are paying for a guided distillery tour and included tastings of three premium Icelandic spirits.

Here is what makes the price feel reasonable for you:

• You get the full tour, including the production facility visit
• You get guided tastings tied to the production story
• The timeframe is efficient at 75 minutes, so you can still do other Reykjavik plans after

The “value” part gets even better if your session includes more pours than the three core spirits, since several people report tasting much more than the minimum. You should still consider it a guided tasting with a strong learning element, not an open bar situation.

Do remember there is no food included and no hotel pickup. That means you might need to plan lunch or a snack nearby before you go, and you will handle your own transit to the meeting point.

Who should book this Eimverk tour, and who might skip it

You will love this tour if:

• You like gin or whiskey, or you want to learn without feeling clueless
• You enjoy hands-on tasting with a guide who explains the why
• You want a short Reykjavik activity that still feels authentic

It is also a good fit if you like small, conversation-friendly group experiences. People describe the tour as more personal than mass-market excursions, and when the group is small, you often get more attention and more chances to ask questions.

I think it might be less ideal if:

• You dislike alcoholic tastings in general
• You want food included, because it is not part of the package
• You hate getting to places by bus or walking, since there is no hotel pickup

Also note the tour is not suitable for children under 18, so it is an adult-focused experience.

Final call: should you book this Eimverk tour with tasting?

I recommend booking this tour if you want a compact distillery experience that connects the ingredients to what ends up in your glass. The combination of production visit, guided tastings, and a guide who answers questions makes it more than just a quick drink stop.

If you are deciding between a distillery tour and another Reykjavik evening activity, this one is attractive because it respects your time. You get a full story, then you taste, then you see the production, then you taste again, all within 75 minutes.

Just go in prepared: eat beforehand, plan your commute to Ásgarður, and expect a spirits-focused evening rather than a food-and-sightseeing tour.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery guided tour with tasting?

The tour lasts 75 minutes.

What is included in the tour price?

The experience includes the distillery tour, a guide, and tastings of 3 premium spirits.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where is the meeting point if I take the bus?

Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik to Ásgarður, then walk for 8 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18.

What languages are the tours offered in?

The live guide provides the tour in English and Icelandic.

What is the cancellation policy and payment options?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now & pay later (book your spot and pay nothing today).