Icelandic spirits can feel like a side quest. This one is the main event. At Eimverk Distillery in Reykjavik, you get a guided tasting that turns the usual bar story into something you can actually see and ask about.

I love how the session mixes drinks with real process. You’ll get specific tastes of Flóki (Iceland’s first and only whiskey), plus Vor Premium Gin and Víti Brennivín.

One thing to plan for: you’re not eating during the tour. If you go in hungry, the alcohol-forward format can feel like a lot.

Key highlights worth your time

• Three signature spirits: Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín are the core tasting set
• Fast but structured: a 75-minute flow that still leaves room for questions
• You’ll see production basics: photos are possible, and you’ll learn steps from barley to bottles
• Small-group energy on some days: a few departures can feel extra personal
• Expect extra samples sometimes: some sessions report more pours than the three main signatures

Eimverk Distillery in Reykjavik: a short tour with a full tasting

Eimverk is one of those Reykjavik stops that feels easy to miss on a map, but it’s a smart use of time. You’re there for 75 minutes, and it’s built around guided context plus guided sipping. The staff start with a welcome drink, then walk you through the why behind Icelandic whiskey and gin-making before the tasting begins.

The biggest value is that the tour doesn’t treat the drinks like trivia. It connects them to choices—ingredients, method, and Iceland’s short but proud spirit history. That makes the tasting more than just tasting. It becomes a learning lab you can taste with your own palate.

You’ll also notice the tour style tends to be conversational. Guides encourage questions, so if you like to ask why something tastes the way it does, you’ll get room to do it. Several guide names show up in feedback, including Roc (also listed as Rock), Paul, Eva, and Niko, so you’re likely in for a lively host.

Flóki, Vor, and Víti: what you actually taste

The heart of this tour is simple: you taste three premium spirits. These are Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. If you like whisky or gin, this is the core set to wrap your head around what Iceland is doing with its own ingredients and climate-driven constraints.

Flóki Icelandic whiskey

Flóki is the headline: Iceland’s first and only whiskey. You’re not just hearing a claim—you’re tasting it in a guided sequence that explains how Icelandic whiskey thinking differs from what you may know from Scotland or elsewhere. Expect the guide to talk production decisions and what they mean for flavor.

Vor Premium Gin

Gin is where you can really practice tasting skills. With a guided pour, you learn how to read the spirit beyond the first sip. Vor Premium Gin is one of Eimverk’s key products, and the tour uses it to show how Iceland-focused ingredients and process choices shape the final profile.

Víti Brennivín

Víti Brennivín is a classic Icelandic-style spirit, and it adds contrast to the whiskey-and-gin arc. On this tour, it’s treated with the same respect: you get context for what you’re tasting, not just a quick sample and a shrug. If you’re the type who likes learning how to compare spirits, this is a useful third act.

Extra pours can happen

The tour’s official structure centers on those three signatures, but some sessions report broader sampling—more than the core set. People have mentioned tasting up to around a dozen spirits, and some have called out specialty styles like birch-related options and even smoked sheep dung whiskey when offered. If you care most about the three main products, you’ll still get those; if you like surprises, you might.

Production walkthrough: from barley harvesting to the final pour

Halfway through, you shift from tasting room mode to production mode. You head toward the facility and learn the steps of the process right at the source. This is where the tour earns its place on a short Reykjavik itinerary.

You’ll hear how the spirit journey starts with barley harvesting. Then you follow the logic through to the end of production—how raw materials become a finished bottle. The guide ties these steps back to what you tasted earlier, so you’re not just collecting facts. You’re connecting method to flavor in real time.

Photos are part of the experience here. If you like documenting meals and museums, you’ll probably want to grab a few shots of the production area. Just remember: this is a working distillery space, so keep it respectful and follow the guide’s pace.

One practical note: the production portion is still part of a 75-minute tour. That means it’s not a long, slow industrial visit. It’s more like the right highlights, told well, with enough time left for the second half tasting.

How the tasting is run in 75 minutes (pace, questions, and vibe)

Timing matters in a tasting tour. Here, the pace is designed so you still have energy for the full experience. You start with an introduction plus a welcome drink, then you move into the tasting portion. After the first half, you go to the production facility, come back, and finish with the second tasting.

You should feel free to ask questions throughout. The experience is built for curious travelers who want explanations, not just a seat and a glass. That’s where the guide can really personalize things, especially if your group is small. Multiple bookings mention small groups on certain days, which usually means more back-and-forth instead of one-way lecturing.

Also, this is not a pour-and-go. Even when it’s short, it’s still a real tasting. Reviews frequently describe it as extensive or generous, and people recommend you do not arrive on an empty stomach. Food isn’t included, so plan to eat before you go. If you’re worried about alcohol on an icy Reykjavik day, that simple prep step makes the whole experience smoother.

What I’d watch for as a first-timer

If you’re new to whiskey and gin tasting, you’ll likely benefit from paying attention to the guide’s cues—how to smell before you sip, how to compare spirits in groups, and how to notice changes across the tasting flight. The tour format groups flavors in a way that helps you tell the difference without being an expert.

Getting there from Reykjavik: public bus is doable

You don’t get hotel pickup, so you’ll want a plan that keeps you calm. The meeting point works well with public transit.

If you’re taking the bus, take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about 8 minutes. For many people, the bus part is the easy win. It’s a cheap, reliable option if you’re comfortable with a short walk at the end.

The tradeoff is that you are leaving the main downtown core, so it’s not a “wander over whenever” kind of stop. If weather is bad, it can feel longer than the minutes on the map. In that case, many people find it easy to get a taxi after the tasting.

If you want the cleanest day plan, I’d eat first, arrive a little early, and then treat the walk as a warm-up rather than a stress test.

Price and value: is $48 worth it?

At about $48 per person for a 75-minute guided tour with tastings included, this sits in the mid-range for Reykjavik activities. The key is what you get for that time.

You get:

• A guided distillery tour (not just a tasting counter)
• A live guide (English and Icelandic)
• Tastings of three premium spirits: Flóki whiskey, Vor gin, Víti Brennivín
• A welcome drink

That mix matters because many “distillery” experiences are either mostly shopping, mostly drinking, or mostly a hallway tour with one quick sample. Here, the structure is different. The tasting is paired with explanations, and the visit includes the production facility segment with a basic process walk-through.

Value also depends on your taste preferences. If whiskey and gin are your thing, you’ll get more satisfaction from the explanations and the comparisons. If you only want one small sample and zero learning, you may feel it’s priced for people who want the full format.

One more value tip: people often buy bottles afterward. If you’re planning to bring something home, think about checked-bag rules and how you’ll carry it. Some visitors also compare retail prices and note that duty-free can be cheaper, so plan where you’ll buy before you get tempted in the shop.

Who this tour suits best (and who might not)

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Like whiskey and gin and want to understand what you’re tasting
• Enjoy guided Q&A rather than one-way explanations
• Want a compact Reykjavik activity that doesn’t swallow half a day
• Prefer alcohol tastings with context, not random shots

It’s also a good fit for people who like Iceland’s cultural angles. The tour format focuses on the short but admirable history of Icelandic spirit making and how Eimverk came to produce whiskey and gin there.

It’s not suitable for children under 18, so plan it as an adult activity.

If you’re sensitive to alcohol or you’re trying to keep the day mostly sober, you’ll still be able to follow along, but you should treat it as a real tasting event and plan accordingly.

Should you book Eimverk in Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a Reykjavik distillery stop that’s guided, structured, and built around tasting Iceland’s own spirits. For $48, the combination of a production walkthrough plus tastings of Flóki, Vor, and Víti is a fair deal—especially because you’ll come away understanding the drinks, not just buying souvenirs.

Skip or rethink it if you hate tastings, you’re not planning to eat beforehand, or you need hotel pickup to make your day stress-free. In that case, you might choose a Reykjavik food or museum option instead.

If you’re even a little curious about how Iceland makes whiskey and gin, this is one of the better “worth your time” stops. It’s short, it’s guided, and it gives you something you can take home in your memory: the link between method and flavor.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery guided tour with tasting?

It lasts 75 minutes.

What spirits do I taste on this tour?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Where do I meet, and how do I get there by bus?

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

Are children allowed?

No. This experience is not suitable for children under 18.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The live guide speaks English and Icelandic.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to pay right away to reserve?

You can reserve now and pay later, with the option to book without paying today.

Is food included?

Food is not included.

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