Whisky in Iceland? Yes, and it’s fun. A visit to Eimverk Distillery flips the script on Iceland booze, with a guided, small-group tasting of Iceland’s own Flóki whisky, plus gin and Brennivín. You’ll also get a look at how the operation turns local barley into spirits, then wrap it up with time to ask questions.

I especially like that it’s built around three tastings, not just one quick pour. And the guides lean into stories and a clear walkthrough of how flavors develop, so you leave with a better sense of what you actually liked and why.

One consideration: transportation isn’t included. It’s a short drive from Reykjavík, but you’ll want to plan your ride so you can fully enjoy the alcohol without making driving decisions.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Eimverk Tour

• Iceland’s only whiskey distillery: a real craft focus, not a generic stop
• Three distinct tastings: Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín
• Small groups (max 10): more conversation and easier questions
• A distilling process moment: you see how they go from ingredients to spirit
• Guides with personality: many names show up like Richie, Rock, and Jon in past tours

Eimverk Distillery: Iceland’s Whiskey Detour From the Usual Stuff

Most people visit Iceland for waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, and maybe a puffin photo. Eimverk adds a different kind of travel souvenir: a made-in-Iceland tasting experience that feels like craft work, not tourist theater.

The hook here is simple. Iceland is not usually thought of as a whiskey destination, yet Eimverk is positioned as the country’s first and only whiskey distillery. That alone makes it an easy sell if you’re tired of the same day-trip formula. Instead of standing at a viewpoint, you’re inside a working distillery learning how spirits connect to local ingredients and old-world ideas.

The second big reason it works is that the tour is structured for variety. You’re not just tasting one spirit and moving on. You sample whisky, gin, and traditional Brennivín, which helps you understand how Icelandic spirits can be different even when they share a base culture.

Price and Value: What $47.50 Buys You (and What It Doesn’t)

At about $47.50 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on, but it also isn’t overpriced for what you get. Admission is included, and tastings cover multiple spirits: Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín. On top of that, you get a guided visit through the distillery, plus a Q&A with someone from the Eimverk team.

What’s not included is the thing that trips up a few people: getting to the meeting point. The tour starts at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, and it ends back where you started. If you’re staying in Reykjavík, you’ll need a taxi or bus plan (and since tastings involve alcohol, plan it like you’re going out for drinks).

If you’re the type of traveler who likes to pick one “experience stop” per day, this can be a strong value. One hour-ish with guided tastings often beats spending extra money on a pass to a place you rush through.

Getting There: Lyngás 13 in Garðabær, Plus Timing That Fits Real Schedules

The meeting point is at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, and the tour start time listed is 4:00 pm. The experience also offers a choice of two start times, so you can match it to your day—handy if you’re trying to avoid the busiest travel windows.

Why timing matters: a late-afternoon distillery visit is a good “second act” plan. You can spend the morning and afternoon doing the big sightseeing things, then spend your last daylight hours on a focused activity that doesn’t require hiking gear or long commutes.

Logistics-wise, keep it simple:

• Don’t assume you can drive yourself after tastings. Plan a taxi or public transport.
• Since the venue returns you to the meeting point, you’re not stuck figuring out a complicated end location.

The tour itself is about 1 hour 10 minutes. That’s long enough for tastings and a walkthrough, but short enough that it won’t wreck your evening plans.

Inside the Tour: From Flóki Whisky to Vor Gin to Víti Brennivín

The tour is built around one main stop at Eimverk Distillery. You’ll get a guided visit, then tastings are part of the pacing rather than one quick pour.

Stop 1: Eimverk Distillery and the three-spirit tasting flow

You’ll start at the distillery and begin with Flóki whisky. Flóki is described as their first and only whisky. The guide talks about the process behind Icelandic spirits, including how they connect to Icelandic barley.

Then the tour shifts into gin with Vor, described as a premium pot-distilled gin made with native herbs and botanicals. Gin often surprises people because it doesn’t taste like a single note. The guide’s job is to help you notice what you’re actually tasting—botanical cues, sweetness or dryness, and how that changes from one spirit to the next.

Finally, you try Víti Brennivín, an old-style Icelandic Brennivín. This is the spirit that tends to feel most “Iceland-specific” because Brennivín is strongly tied to local tradition. If you like foods with regional identity, you’ll likely enjoy learning what makes this one distinct.

What you should expect during the session

You’ll be in a small group (max 10 travelers), which matters more than it sounds. You can ask questions without shouting, and the guide can slow down when someone wants clarification.

The tour also includes Q&A with a member of the Eimverk team. That’s not just a chance to ask what’s in the bottle. It’s where you’ll often learn how the company thinks about making spirits local and building a brand while staying true to tradition.

And yes, the experience is built to include plenty of samples. Past visitors repeatedly describe multiple tastings and a fun, story-led guide style.

The Distilling Process Moment: See the Machine Behind the Bottle

One of the strongest practical points in this tour is that you don’t just stand around while someone tells you what happens. You’ll be shown the distilling process mid-tour.

That matters because distilling is one of those steps people imagine but rarely see. When a guide points out what’s going on and why it matters, your tasting experience gets sharper. Instead of just thinking this tastes good or weird, you start to connect flavor to the production logic.

In past tours, guides have also used an approach that begins with a basic tasting framework. You get a simple way to think about spirit tasting that you can carry to other drinks later—especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to compare what different countries do.

Guides With Real Personality: Richie, Rock, Jon, and the Storytelling Style

A lot of tours have a guide who reads facts off a screen. Eimverk’s tours, based on firsthand descriptions, tend to be more like a friendly conversation with an expert craftworker who enjoys the room.

Names that come up in guides include Richie, Rock, and Jon. Different guides, similar vibe: humor, pride in the product, and a clear explanation of how the spirits are made and how they differ.

You’ll also hear comparisons—how Icelandic alcohol identity can be different from what you might expect elsewhere. Even if you’re not a huge gin or whisky person going in, the guide’s approach tends to make it easier to taste with curiosity instead of bias.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip)

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a non-touristy Iceland experience that still feels genuinely local
• Like guided tastings where you learn something while you drink
• Prefer small groups and a chance to ask questions
• Are doing a Reykjavík-heavy itinerary and want one evening activity that’s easy to plug in

It may not be ideal if:

• You want a no-alcohol experience. Tastings are part of the tour, and the tour includes alcoholic beverages.
• You hate getting to off-center locations. You’ll need a plan since transportation isn’t included.
• Your schedule is so tight you can’t spare a little travel time for Garðabær.

Also, if you’re the type who gets bored by lectures, don’t worry. This tour is described as funny and story-driven, not dry.

Practical Tips to Make Your Tastings Taste Better

A distillery tour is the rare activity where small habits make a big difference.

• Eat something before you go. Tastings add up, and you’ll enjoy the flavors more with a full stomach.
• Go easy on other drinks after. You’ll be sampled on several spirits, including Brennivín.
• Use the tasting framework your guide gives you. Even a basic approach helps you notice differences between whisky, gin, and Brennivín.
• Bring a little curiosity. If you only like one category of spirits, you’ll still get value from learning what the guide wants you to notice.

And if you’re shopping-minded: some visitors end up taking home bottles, and even souvenirs like a hoodie show up in past experiences. Not required, but it’s part of the reality of a distillery visit.

Should You Book Eimverk Distillery?

If you like Iceland but want one evening that breaks the pattern, I’d book this. You’re paying for a guided distillery visit plus tastings of three Icelandic spirits, with a production look and time for questions. The price feels fair for what’s included—especially when you compare it to pay-only admission experiences that don’t throw in tasting value.

Do book with two things in mind:

1. Plan your ride to Lyngás 13 in Garðabær. Don’t treat it like a place you’ll casually walk to if you’re drinking.
2. Make peace with the fact that this is a tasting-focused tour. If that’s your thing, you’ll have a great time; if not, you might prefer a sightseeing tour instead.

If you’re a whisky fan, a gin fan, or just someone who wants to understand Iceland’s alcohol culture in a real way, this is one of the most logical—and memorable—stops you can add to your Reykjavík-area days.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Eimverk Distillery visit?

The tour runs about 1 hour 10 minutes.

What does the price include?

The price includes a guided tour, admission ticket, tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, plus Q&A with an Eimverk team member and alcoholic beverages.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

A start time of 4:00 pm is listed, and the experience also offers a choice of two start times.

How many travelers are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is transportation to and from the distillery included?

No. Transportation to/from attractions is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.