Three Icelandic pours, and you get the whole story.

At Eimverk Distillery in Reykjavik, a live guide walks you through how Icelandic spirits get made, starting with a welcome drink and a fast, friendly intro to the craft. I especially like the way the session mixes story (Iceland’s spirit-making roots) with real production steps, so the tasting feels earned and not just handed to you.

My other favorite part is the tasting format: you’re not just sipping, you’re learning how to taste and what to notice across Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. Guides I’ve seen listed for this tour include Paul, Eva, Roc/Rock, and Niko, and their style tends to be hands-on, with time for questions and even a bit of humor.

One consideration: the tour is 75 minutes with no hotel pickup and no food included, so plan your timing and eat beforehand. Also, it’s not suitable for kids under 18, so it’s very much an adults-only night-out kind of activity.

Key things to know before you go

• Eimverk is built around Icelandic whiskey and gin: you taste Iceland’s first and only whiskey, plus their premium gin and Brennivín.
• You’ll get a guided tasting, not a self-guided sample tray, with room to ask questions.
• Production visit included: you’ll walk toward the facility and see steps from barley through to the finished spirit.
• Small-group energy is possible: some days can feel intimate, which makes it easier to talk through the flavors.
• Bring your taste buds on a full stomach: multiple pours mean you’ll be happier with a meal beforehand.

First stop: welcome drink, quick Iceland spirits context, and real time for questions

Right away, this tour sets a relaxed tone. You start with an introduction to Eimverk and then a welcome drink, which is a good move because it helps you settle into the evening. From there, you get the bigger picture of Icelandic spirit making—how it fits into Iceland’s story and why the distillery decided to focus on whiskey and gin.

I like that the pace leaves you room to ask questions. If you’re the type who wants to know why a distillation step matters, or how Icelandic ingredients shape the final glass, this tour is set up for that back-and-forth. It’s also a smart way to make the tasting more than a line of sips: you start thinking in terms of process and flavor choices.

The practical downside is that this is not a casual “browse the gift shop first” experience. It starts with the guide-led intro and then moves into tasting, so show up ready to listen.

The tasting room: Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín

The tasting is the heart of the experience, and the structure works well. You go through the spirits you came for, with explanations as you taste. That’s important because each spirit has its own identity, and it’s easy to miss the differences if you just drink.

Flóki: Icelandic whiskey you can taste as an idea

Flóki is Eimverk’s Icelandic whiskey, and it’s positioned as Iceland’s first and only whiskey. Even if you’ve had whiskey before, tasting it in this setting helps you compare it against your expectations. The guide’s job here is to point you toward what to notice—how it smells, how it sits on the palate, and what changes as you move from sip to sip.

Vor Premium Gin: a gin tasting that’s more than just citrus

You also taste Vor Premium Gin. If you’re used to gin from big export brands, the Iceland angle can be a surprise—in a good way. The tour’s benefit is that you’re learning how to taste gin correctly: not just asking Is it good? but noticing how botanicals show up and how the spirit finishes.

Víti Brennivín: the Brennivín experience

Then there’s Víti Brennivín, a spirit with a reputation that’s tied directly to Iceland. This is the one that often feels most “Iceland.” It’s also the best choice if you want something you can’t easily recreate at home.

One tip that I found helpful here: don’t treat the tasting like a sprint. Take a breath between pours. Let your brain catch up to what your nose is picking up. The guide’s explanations make more sense when you pause long enough to actually register the differences.

Why the process story matters: from grain thinking to production-floor steps

After the first half of the tasting, you head toward the production facility. This is where the tour goes from “nice drinks” to “okay, I get how this is made.”

You’ll learn about the steps of the production process right from the beginning—barley harvesting is specifically called out—through the chain of work that turns raw ingredients into finished spirits. That means you’re not just hearing general distillery talk. You’re seeing how the process connects to the final glass.

Photo stops are part of this section too. If you like taking pictures, this is a good window, because you’re in a working area and not just standing in a display room.

What you should watch for: the guide’s language is usually practical. They’ll explain what’s being controlled, what gets transformed, and why certain choices show up in smell and taste later. Even if you’re not a spirits nerd, the logic is easy to follow—and it makes the second half of tasting feel like it’s answering the questions raised earlier.

Back to tasting: mingle time, second half pours, and tasting comparisons

Once you’re back in the tasting room, the second half of the sampling continues. This part is great for comparisons because your brain is already tuned to the process you just saw.

The tour also gives you time to mingle with other guests. That matters more than it sounds. If your group is chatty (and they often are), you’ll naturally compare notes. You might notice that someone else picks up a flavor you missed. The guide can help you translate those impressions into something more specific.

This is also where the guide stories tend to land best. When the production context is fresh, the behind-the-scenes details make your tasting more vivid.

Timing and logistics: fitting 75 minutes into your Reykjavik plan

The tour runs about 75 minutes, which is a solid length for Reykjavik. It’s long enough to feel like a real activity, but not so long that you feel trapped when the rest of your day needs room.

You should think about two logistics points:

1. No hotel pickup

You’re responsible for getting there, which is normal for this kind of distillery visit.

1. You need to eat first

Food isn’t included, and the tasting includes multiple pours. Many people recommend not showing up empty-handed, and that matches what you’d expect: you’ll enjoy the guide and the flavors more if you’ve had a meal.

Getting there by bus: the simple route

If you’re taking the bus, the guidance is straightforward: take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about 8 minutes. It’s a good plan if you’re staying central and prefer public transit over taxis.

If you’re short on time or you want the least hassle, taxis are an easy fallback. Some visitors say getting a taxi after the tour is quick, which matters if you’re trying to stay on schedule.

Price and value: is $48 worth it for Flóki, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín?

At $48 per person, you’re paying for three things that add up fast: a guided distillery tour, a guide who leads a live tasting, and the tastings themselves. Food and pickup aren’t included, but you’re not paying “tour bus + lunch” pricing either.

What makes the value feel strong is the mix of ingredients-to-glass learning and hands-on sampling. A lot of tastings in tourist cities are basically a small pour and a short script. This one is structured: intro, tasting, production steps, photos, then more tasting.

Also, while the official tasting is built around those three featured spirits, the overall experience can feel generous. Some sessions report tasting a broader range of spirits than the basic trio, so the $48 may stretch further depending on what’s offered that day. Either way, you should go in expecting a real tasting session, not tiny sips.

Who should book this Eimverk distillery tour

This experience is a strong fit if you:

• Want Icelandic whiskey and gin in Reykjavik, but don’t want to spend hours on logistics
• Like tours where you can ask questions while you taste
• Enjoy spirits with a sense of place—cultural context matters here
• Prefer guided learning over a self-guided tasting room

It’s also a great option if you’re the designated “I drink whiskey” person in your group. The tour is built for spirits lovers, but it has a welcoming approach if you’re just curious.

One note for groups: it’s not suitable for children under 18, so plan it as an adults-only activity.

Should you book this tour?

Yes—if you want a compact Reykjavik activity with a clear payoff, book it. The combination of guided tasting of Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín plus a walkthrough of production steps makes it feel like you’re learning something, not just sampling something.

If you’re on a strict food-and-drinks budget, you’ll need to handle dinner and transportation separately, since food and hotel pickup aren’t included. And if you’re hoping for a long multi-stop day, this won’t be that—this is a focused 75-minute spirits experience.

If your goal is an authentic distillery moment with Iceland flavor and a guide who actually keeps the conversation moving, Eimverk is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery guided tour with tasting?

The tour lasts 75 minutes.

What spirits will I taste on this tour?

You’ll taste Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Where do I meet the tour if I’m using public transit?

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

What languages is the tour guide available in?

The live guide offers the tour in English and Icelandic.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.