Eimverk Distillery Visit

Iceland may be better known for glaciers and geothermal pools than for whisky, but Eimverk Distillery makes a persuasive case for adding spirits to the country’s list of specialties. You’ll tour Iceland’s first and only whisky distillery, taste Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, and see how local barley and native botanicals shape each drink.

I like the small-group setting, which gives the guide room to answer questions instead of rushing through a script. I also like the mix of spirits: you get more than a whisky sample, with gin and traditional Brennivín adding useful context.

The main drawback is location. Eimverk is in Garðabær rather than central Reykjavík, and transportation is not included. You’ll need to arrange a bus, taxi, or other ride, and you should not drive after the tasting.

Key points to know before you book

• Iceland’s only whisky distillery: Eimverk offers a specialty experience you will not get from the usual Reykjavík sightseeing stops.
• Three Icelandic spirits: Taste Flóki whisky, Vor pot-distilled gin, and Víti Brennivín made with local ingredients.
• A compact one-hour visit: The tour lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes, making it easy to fit into an afternoon or final evening.
• A small group of up to 10: The size favors conversation, questions, and a more personal guide-led tasting.
• Strong storytelling: Guides including Richie, Rock, and Jon have been praised for humor, clear explanations, and good stories about the business.
• Plan your ride: Eimverk is at Lyngás 13 in Garðabær, and the activity ends where it begins.

Why Eimverk is worth adding to a Reykjavík stay

Eimverk gives you a different way to understand Iceland. Instead of looking at the country’s nature, you taste it. Icelandic barley forms the base of Flóki whisky, while local herbs and botanicals help define the gin and Brennivín.

That local focus matters because this is not simply a standard whisky tasting held in Iceland. The point is to see how a young Icelandic distillery has created spirits suited to its own setting and ingredients. You get a look at the production process, then taste the results while the details are still fresh.

I especially like this as an alternative to another general city tour. It is practical, indoors, and easy to fit around a late afternoon. After several long drives or day trips, a seated tasting and a short distillery visit can feel like a welcome change of pace.

The experience also works for mixed groups. One person may prefer whisky, another may lean toward gin, and someone else may be curious about Brennivín. Since all three are included, you are not committing the whole visit to one style of drink.

Arriving at the Garðabær distillery

The meeting point is Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær. The tour does not include transportation, so you need to plan the journey from Reykjavík before booking.

The location is close enough to make a short trip from the capital practical, but it is not a walk-up attraction in central Reykjavík. One person may find the bus manageable, while another may prefer a taxi. The supplied experience details include no fixed transfer service, and firsthand directions differ between using the bus and taking a taxi, so I would check the current route and allow extra time.

This also affects the drinking plan. Since you will sample several alcoholic drinks, driving yourself is a poor choice. Arrange public transport or a taxi before you arrive, rather than trying to solve the ride home after the tasting.

The published meeting time is 4:00 pm, while the tour information also refers to a choice of two start times. Confirm the exact time shown for your booking. The afternoon schedule makes sense for a relaxed day in Reykjavík and leaves the evening open for dinner.

What happens during the one-hour visit

The visit takes place at Eimverk Distillery and lasts about an hour, with the full activity listed at approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. You stay at the distillery rather than moving between several sites.

The tour begins with an introduction to Eimverk and its spirits. Your guide explains how the company developed and how Icelandic barley is used in the whisky-making process. The production discussion is a key part of the visit, especially if you want more than a quick drink and a photo.

At some point during the tour, you are shown the distilling process. The exact order may vary, but the visit combines explanation, a look at the equipment and work involved, and guided sampling. The format is short enough to remain focused, yet long enough to give you a basic understanding of how the spirits are made.

The small group limit of 10 is useful here. A distillery is a working place, not a large museum with endless displays, so a smaller party gives the guide a better chance to explain what you are seeing. You can also ask about production, ingredients, flavor differences, and the challenges of making whisky in Iceland.

Flóki whisky and the Icelandic barley story

Flóki is the centerpiece for many people. It is presented as Iceland’s first and only whisky, and the tour explains how Icelandic barley is used to create it.

You will not simply receive a glass and a brand description. The tasting is tied to the production story, including the steps involved in making whisky and the work needed to develop the product. That context helps you understand why a relatively young distillery can offer a distinct identity.

A useful part of the tasting is learning how to assess a spirit. One guide has been praised for beginning with a practical lesson on the mechanics of tasting. That approach is helpful even if you do not usually drink whisky, because it gives you a way to notice aroma, texture, flavor, and finish without needing specialist knowledge.

Flóki is not the only reason to come, but whisky fans will likely want to give it the most attention. The tasting lets you consider the spirit on its own terms rather than comparing it only with famous Scottish or Irish bottles.

Vor gin brings a different style to the tasting

Vor is Eimverk’s premium pot-distilled gin. It is made with native herbs and botanicals, and it gives the tour a useful change of direction after the whisky.

I like having gin included because it shows another side of the distillery’s work. Whisky can dominate a distillery visit, but gin often makes botanical choices easier to notice. You can compare the character of Vor with more familiar gins and think about how local ingredients affect the drink.

The gin sample also makes the experience more accessible to people who are not whisky drinkers. A couple or group with different tastes can each find something to focus on. You are not expected to arrive with a favorite spirit or detailed background.

The tasting includes alcoholic beverages, but the information provided does not specify the exact number or size of samples. Plan to taste in moderation, especially if you have other evening plans.

Víti Brennivín and Icelandic drinking culture

Víti is Eimverk’s old-style Icelandic Brennivín. Brennivín is an important part of Iceland’s drinking tradition, so including it gives the visit a cultural layer that a standard whisky tour would miss.

The distillery makes Víti with native herbs and botanicals. Your guide explains the spirit alongside the whisky and gin, helping you compare three different approaches to Icelandic production.

For many people, Brennivín will be the most unfamiliar sample. That is part of its value. You get to try a traditional Icelandic spirit in the place where it is made, rather than meeting it only as a novelty in a bar.

The tasting is not just a list of drinks. It connects ingredients, production, and local drinking culture. Guides have also been praised for explaining Icelandic alcohol history, which adds useful background to the glass in front of you.

The guide makes a major difference

The best part of this experience is likely to be the person leading it. Several guides have been singled out by name, including Richie, Rock, and Jon. Their styles differ, but the consistent strengths are humor, clear explanations, and a relaxed way of handling the tasting.

Richie has been described as friendly and funny, with a good grasp of how Icelandic spirits compare with drinks from other countries. Rock has been praised for being personable and for explaining how the business grew. Jon has been noted as a strong storyteller who keeps the group engaged.

That matters in a small distillery. You are not spending hours walking through a huge facility with many exhibits. The guide must bring the process to life through explanation and conversation.

The experience seems especially suited to people who enjoy asking questions. You can ask about the use of barley, the distilling process, the spirits’ ingredients, and the development of the business. The format also allows room for humor, which keeps the production talk from becoming too technical.

Guide availability may vary on your date, so do not book with the expectation of a particular person unless the operator confirms it. What you can reasonably expect is a guide-led tasting with time for questions and stories.

Is the $47.50 price good value?

At $47.50 per person, the tour is not a bargain basement tasting, but the price is fair if you want a guided activity rather than three quick pours at a bar.

Your fee includes the distillery tour, Flóki whisky, Vor gin, Víti Brennivín, alcoholic beverages, and a question-and-answer session with an Eimverk team member. It also gives you access to a specialist experience that is difficult to reproduce on your own.

The value is strongest for curious drinkers who want to understand what they are tasting. If you only want one glass of whisky, you may find a Reykjavík bar more convenient. If you want the story behind three Icelandic spirits, the production explanation and personal guide make the cost easier to justify.

You may also find bottles or branded items available for purchase, though the provided details do not promise a shop selection. One person specifically enjoyed a Eimverk hoodie, and another left with bottles after finding a few favorites. Treat any shopping as an optional extra, not part of the tour price.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend Eimverk to whisky drinkers, gin fans, and anyone who likes seeing how local products are made. It is also a good pick for a couple or small group with mixed interests because the tasting includes three distinct spirits.

It suits an afternoon or final evening in Iceland particularly well. The visit lasts only about an hour, so it will not consume a whole day. It also offers an indoor plan if the weather is poor, though the experience should not replace Iceland’s major natural sights if this is your first and only day in the country.

You may want to skip it if you do not drink alcohol, dislike tastings, or prefer activities in central Reykjavík. Transportation is the main practical hurdle, and the tour does not include a ride from the city.

The group limit is 10, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to the same meeting point.

Cancellation and timing details

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Be careful when selecting your date. One booking problem resulted from choosing the wrong date and then being unable to change it after the deadline. Check your Iceland schedule before paying, especially if you are moving between hotels or leaving Reykjavík that day.

The tour is booked, on average, about 29 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful reason to reserve early if the 4:00 pm time fits your plans.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

Book it if you want a personal look at Icelandic whisky and a tasting that includes more than whisky alone. The combination of Flóki, Vor, and Víti gives you a broad sample of Eimverk’s work, while the small group and engaging guides make the production story easy to follow.

I would place it on a Reykjavík itinerary for the afternoon, particularly if you have already seen the city’s main sights and want something more focused. Just arrange transportation, confirm the start time, and leave room for the alcohol samples.

Skip it if you are looking for a central attraction with no planning or if you do not enjoy spirits. For everyone else, this is a smart short outing and one of the more unusual ways to connect Icelandic ingredients with Icelandic culture.

FAQ

Where does the Eimverk Distillery tour begin?

The tour begins at Eimverk Distillery, Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Eimverk Distillery.

How long does the visit take?

The visit lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The itinerary itself is listed as one hour.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 4:00 pm. The experience information also refers to a choice of two start times, so confirm the exact time available for your booking.

What spirits are included in the tasting?

The tasting includes Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín. Alcoholic beverages are included.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the distillery is not included, so you must arrange your own bus, taxi, or other ride.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 10 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.