Iceland pours spirit stories, not just sightseeing. You’ll get Iceland’s only whiskey distillery experience with guided tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín in about 1 hour 10 minutes. It’s a focused way to learn how Iceland turns local ingredients into spirits.

One catch: you’re responsible for getting to the meeting point at Lyngás 13, Garðabær, since transportation isn’t included.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Three distinct Icelandic pours in one stop: Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín
• Small group size: up to 10 people, so your Q&A time with the team actually feels useful
• A production peek: you’ll see the distilling process during the tour
• Story-driven hosting: guides like Rock, Richie, and Jon are praised for humor and good explanations
• Built for an evening slot: it starts at 4:00 pm and ends back at the meeting point

Why Eimverk is the smart alternative to standard Iceland sightseeing

Most first-time trips around Reykjavík stack the classic scenery. This one swaps that for something different, and honestly, more memorable for adults who like drinks. Iceland is not famous for whiskey, so walking into the country’s first and only whiskey distillery feels like finding an answer to a question you didn’t know you had.

What I like most is that the experience is built around tasting and explanation, not just showing you a room. You’re not standing around with a brochure, you’re learning what they make, why they make it, and how the flavors develop. The other big plus is the variety: whisky, gin, and traditional Brennivín all in the same visit, so you can compare styles side by side.

Getting there: the Lyngás 13 meeting point and why timing matters

This tour meets at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland and it starts at 4:00 pm. It ends back at the same meeting point, so plan your evening transport accordingly.

Transportation to and from attractions is not included, so you’ll want to arrange your own ride. A few people specifically mentioned buses and taxis as practical options, and one guest said not to drive themselves. That fits with what you’ll likely find in Iceland: roads and weather can shift fast, and taking a taxi or a bus can keep your evening stress-free.

Also, this is short, around 1 hour 10 minutes. That’s ideal when your day is already full. It can work well as an evening plan the day before you leave, or a lighter activity after a packed set of sightseeing stops.

The tasting lineup you’ll actually care about: Flóki, Vor, and Víti

You’ll sample a set of Iceland-made spirits during the guided tour. The tour includes tastings of three specific brands, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.

Flóki whisky: Icelandic barley and a true whiskey moment

Flóki is the distillery’s whisky. The tour explains the processes involved in creating Icelandic spirits from Icelandic barley, which matters because whiskey flavor is tied to what the grain starts with. If you’ve only had imported whiskey, this is your chance to taste an Iceland-forward version, not a generic crowd-pleaser.

Vor gin: premium pot distillation with native herbs

Vor is described as a premium pot distilled gin made from native herbs and botanicals. If you like gin, you’ll likely appreciate that they don’t treat it like an afterthought. You get a separate tasting and guidance on what to notice in the glass, which makes the gin tasting feel like a real part of the visit, not a side sip.

Víti Brennivín: traditional old-style aquavit with botanical roots

Víti is their old-style Icelandic Brennivín, handcrafted from native herbs and botanicals. Brennivín can be an acquired taste, but this tour frames it in a way that helps you understand what makes it distinct. Even if you usually skip aquavit or Brennivín, the guided format makes it easier to evaluate it instead of just hoping you’ll like it.

Inside the 70-minute experience: what the guide focuses on

This isn’t a long museum style tour. It’s a compact, guided evening session that keeps moving. Because the group is capped at 10 travelers, you tend to get more interaction than you would on bigger tours.

Most of your time revolves around a guided walkthrough, multiple tastings, and a few moments where the guide slows down to explain what’s happening. One recurring theme in feedback is that the guides bring humor and energy, without rushing people out the door. Guests highlighted hosts like Rock, Richie, and Jon for being great story tellers, and that style shows up in how the information is delivered.

How the tour pace feels

You’ll tour the distillery, sample Flóki, Vor, and Víti, and you’ll be shown the distilling process partway through. That distilling moment is one of the best parts for visitors who like hands-on context. It gives you a clearer picture of how you go from raw inputs to finished spirit, instead of treating the tasting like a magic trick.

You also get Q&A with a member of the Eimverk team. For me, that’s what turns the visit from a drink stop into a real education. You can ask the practical stuff, like how they think about flavor balance or what makes their approach Icelandic.

A tasting lesson that helps you taste better

Several comments mentioned a quick lesson on the mechanics of tasting. That sounds basic, but it changes the whole experience. Instead of drinking three things and hoping, you get tools to notice aroma, balance, and finish. You’re not just collecting sips, you’re learning how to compare.

Why Icelandic ingredients make this feel different

The “local” factor here is not marketing fluff. The tour ties each spirit to Icelandic inputs, like the use of Icelandic barley for the whisky, and native herbs and botanicals for the gin and Brennivín.

I love that you get to taste in a progression rather than random samples. Whisky and gin are easier for many visitors to anchor to, but Brennivín adds the Iceland-specific punch. By the end, you’re not only tasting alcohol, you’re tasting a place.

Some guests also mentioned the distillery’s growth over time and the mission to keep things local. You get that sense in the way the guide tells the story of the brand, and why the distillery exists in the first place. For non-drinkers, this is still interesting as a cultural stop, but it’s designed around alcohol tastings, so you should go in prepared.

Price and value: what $47.50 includes, and where it’s a bargain

At $47.50 per person, you’re paying for admission and a guided tasting experience that includes multiple alcoholic beverages. The tour package also covers guided access through the distillery, tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, plus Q&A.

Where I see value is the combination. A lot of paid tastings are either only drinks with no context, or only a tour with no real sampling. Here you get both, in a tight time window. You’re also getting a small-group setup with a maximum of 10 travelers, which usually means better attention from the guide and more time for questions.

In plain terms: you’re not just buying three drinks. You’re buying a short guided evening lesson on how Iceland makes its spirits, then trying those spirits while the explanation is still fresh.

Who this tour suits best, and who might feel underwhelmed

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Like alcohol tastings that include explanation, not just a pour
• Enjoy gin or whisky, or you want to broaden beyond what you already drink
• Want a low-effort evening plan close to Reykjavík
• Prefer a small group, max 10, where you can actually ask questions

It might not be your best match if:

• You’re not comfortable with alcohol tastings, since several glasses are included
• You want big scenery or a full day of outdoors, since this is a distillery-centered visit
• You need a longer, slow-paced tour with lots of free time, because it runs just over an hour

One more small practical note: some people left mentioning they bought bottles or even a hoodie. That suggests there’s product available on site, so if you like what you taste, you might want to set aside a little extra budget.

Helpful practical tips before you book

• Choose the start time that fits your day. The tour offers two start times, and one is 4:00 pm. If you’re coming from a full day of excursions, the later slot can feel calmer.
• Keep the evening transport simple. Since transportation isn’t included and the tour returns to the same meeting point, have a plan for where you’ll go right after.
• Go with an open tasting mindset. The tour includes a tasting lesson and guided comparisons, so you’ll get more out of it if you treat it like a guided tasting, not a casual drink.

If you’re traveling as a pair or a small group, you’ll likely appreciate the intimacy. And if you have service animals, they’re allowed.

Should you book Eimverk Distillery?

I think it’s worth booking if you want an authentic Iceland experience that doesn’t look like another photo stop. The big draw is the combination of guided tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, plus a real peek at the distilling process and time for Q&A. With a small group size and a story-driven guide, it’s the kind of evening activity that tends to stick in your memory.

If you’re the type who likes learning through tasting, this is an easy yes. If you dislike alcohol, or you want long scenic wandering, you may feel it’s too focused on spirits. For most adult visitors curious about Iceland’s drinks, this is one of the more practical, fun, and different tours you can add to your Reykjavík-area days.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery visit?

The tour runs about 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.).

What time does the tour start, and are there other options?

The meeting start time listed is 4:00 pm. The experience also notes a choice of two start times.

What does the ticket include?

It includes a guided tour through the distillery, tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, Q&A with an Eimverk team member, and alcoholic beverages.

Where is the meeting point?

The tour starts at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland, and it ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation to and from the distillery included?

No. Transportation to and from attractions is not included.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.