Iceland’s newest whiskey has a story. This 75 minute guided stop at Eimverk Distillery mixes a short history of Icelandic spirits with a real look at how the drinks get made, then tops it off with tastings of Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín.

I love two things most. I like the barley-to-bottle flow, because you do not just hear about spirits, you see the steps in between. I also like that the tasting is structured around the three signature products, so you can compare styles and understand what each drink is trying to be.

One thing to consider: the tour does not include food or hotel pickup, and the meeting point is a short walk from bus stop Ásgarður. If you start on an empty stomach, the alcohol can hit sooner than you expect, especially on a cold Reykjavík day.

Key highlights worth centering your plan

• Three signature tastings: Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín
• Ask questions as you go: your guide encourages plenty of back-and-forth during the session
• See the process end to end: production area tour includes steps from barley harvesting onward
• A guide who blends drink talk with Iceland stories: names like Rock, Paul, Roc, Eva, and Niko come up often
• Small-group feel: the format includes mingling and personal interaction, not just a lecture
• Photo-friendly production area: you get time to take pictures before returning to the tasting room

Eimverk Distillery near Reykjavik, and why this tour works

Eimverk is not trying to be a giant museum. It is a working distillery, and that makes the experience feel practical fast. You show up, learn the logic behind the spirit making, then move through tastings that are clearly part of the story, not random samples.

What really makes this tour click is the balance. You get a guided education about Icelandic spirit making, then you get the payoff, three distinct Iceland-flavored drinks you can actually compare. If you like food tours, this is the alcohol version of that same idea: context first, taste second.

The tour is also built for conversation. You are not stuck listening with nowhere to go. You can ask questions during the history and tasting sections, then mingle with other visitors in between.

A 75 minute flow that does not waste your time

The pacing is tight, which is good when you are only in Reykjavík for a few days. You start with an introduction to Eimverk, plus a welcome drink. After that comes the background, including how Icelandic whiskey ended up being produced at this distillery.

Then it turns into the tasting portion. You work through the products with your guide explaining what goes into each spirit and how the distillery has developed its range over time. The tone here is often playful too, with guides highlighted for humor and for keeping the conversation moving.

A neat detail in the format: the tour is split. After the first half of tasting, you head toward the production facility to learn the steps of the process. When you return to the tasting room for the second half, the explanations connect to what you just saw.

Welcome drink and the Icelandic whiskey backstory

The opening part is not just small talk. It is a setup for understanding why these drinks exist in Iceland at all, and why Eimverk’s choices matter.

You get a history of whiskey in Iceland, including how production made its way to Eimverk. The goal is to help you stop thinking of whiskey as a generic category and start seeing it as a local craft with local constraints and local inputs.

This section also matters because it teaches you how to listen during the tasting. Your guide sets expectations on style and technique, so when you taste later, you can follow the explanation instead of just chasing flavors.

Flóki, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín tasting, what to expect

The tasting is the headline, and it is also the easiest part to enjoy even if you are not a hardcore spirits nerd.

You will sample three premium drinks:

• Flóki, Iceland’s first and only whiskey
• Vor Premium Gin
• Víti Brennivín

Each one has a different personality, and your guide will help you notice those differences. That is the practical value here. You are not just tasting to get tipsy, you are tasting to learn what ingredients and process steps tend to create.

How guides often frame the comparison

From what I’ve gathered, the guide focus tends to be on two things:

1. What to notice in aroma and taste, so you have a method, not a guess
2. How the distillery’s choices show up in the glass, so you connect story to product

If you like whiskey and gin, you will probably feel in your element right away. If you are on the fence, the tasting can be a good bridge. Reviews commonly mention people who ended up enjoying gin more after the session, even if they were not planning to be a gin drinker.

Note on variety beyond the three main samples

The tour data says tastings of three specific spirits. That is what you should expect. Still, some Eimverk products mentioned in the wider context include other whiskey styles like birch whiskey and smoked sheep dung whiskey, so you may see additional bottles when you browse the shop. Treat those as bonus curiosity, not guaranteed tasting items.

Production facility tour, from barley harvesting to that final glass

The second big chunk of the tour is the production-area walk. This is where the experience becomes more than a tasting bar.

You learn steps right from the beginning, starting with barley harvesting, then moving through the process toward the final product. Even if you do not remember every technical term, the value is that you get a mental map of how grain and ingredients turn into alcohol.

There is also a practical comfort here: you get time to take photos of the fascinating production area. That matters because distilleries often have visual details you want to remember later, especially if you are visiting in winter when you are hungry for indoor highlights.

And when you return to the tasting room for the second half, the guide can connect your new visual context to the flavors in your glass. That makes the whole session feel more coherent.

How to get the most from the tasting (even if you do not drink much)

You can make this tour much more fun by changing how you taste. You do not need to be a professional taster.

Here is what I suggest you do during the session:

• Start with the first pour slowly, and let the guide’s explanation shape what you smell.
• Take small sips and compare, rather than chasing intensity right away.
• Ask one good question. If you are curious, this tour format is built for questions.

Because there is alcohol involved, you will also enjoy it more if you plan food beforehand. The tour listing does not include food, and multiple people recommend not going on an empty stomach. If you eat something light before you go, you will taste more clearly and keep a better pace.

Price and value in Reykjavik terms

At $48 per person for about 75 minutes, this is not an impulse bargain, but it is also not priced like a full-day excursion. The value comes from what you get inside that time.

You are paying for:

• a guided tour inside the distillery
• a history and production explanation
• tastings of three premium Icelandic spirits

That combination is where the math works. If you were to buy three bottles or even multiple tastings on your own, you would still miss the context for what each product is doing. Here, you get education plus the direct tasting payoff in one session.

Also, the format is wheelchair accessible, and the guide is live (English and Icelandic). That adds to the overall usefulness, especially if you want a real explanation rather than a self-paced brochure.

Getting there from downtown: bus #1 to Ásgarður

Logistics are simple once you know the trick.

If you are taking public transport, take Reykjavík bus number 1 from downtown to Ásgarður. Then walk about 8 minutes to the distillery. This is one of the reasons the tour can be an easy fit even on tight schedules.

If you are relying on a taxi, it is often straightforward to arrange transportation back after. Still, it is smart to plan your timing so you are not hunting around while everyone is finishing the last pours.

What to buy after the tour, and how to pack it smart

The distillery shop is part of the experience in practice, even if shopping is not listed as an included item. People often buy small bottles, glasses, and gifts to take home.

One practical tip from the wider experience around this distillery: if you are short on luggage space, travel-size bottles can be easier to manage. Also, you may find better pricing through airport duty-free on your way out, so it can make sense to buy carefully and then compare at the airport.

If you want souvenirs that travel well, consider gifts that do not take up suitcase space, like coasters or small spirits bottles.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting

Book it if you want an Reykjavík activity that is both culturally specific and genuinely drink-focused. This tour is ideal when you like whiskey and gin, want to learn how Icelandic spirits are made, and prefer a guided tasting instead of wandering a bar scene.

You should think twice if you:

• want food included (it is not part of the tour)
• are traveling with kids under 18 (the tour is not suitable for them)
• dislike alcohol tastings in general, since the experience is built around three spirits

If you like structured tasting, short-and-sweet distillery history, and seeing production instead of only hearing about it, this one is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery guided tour with tasting?

The tour lasts 75 minutes.

What will I taste on this tour?

You will taste three premium spirits: Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.

Where do I meet if I am coming by bus?

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

Is this tour suitable for children?

No, it is not suitable for children under 18.

What languages are the guided tours offered in?

The live guide offers English and Icelandic.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is there free cancellation?

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

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes, it offers a reserve now & pay later option.