A whiskey tasting in Reykjavik feels like a story. At Eimverk Distillery, I love the mix of Icelandic production talk and tasting, and I especially like that you sample Flóki whiskey and Víti Brennivín alongside their Vor Premium Gin in one tight 75-minute session.

The only catch is getting there takes a bit of planning, since you will do the bus #1 to Ásgarður and walk about 8 minutes, or use a taxi if weather or timing is rough.

Key highlights for Eimverk’s guided tasting

• A 75-minute distillery tour plus tastings that are clearly structured, not random sips
• Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín in one guided session
• Production-floor walkthrough, including the steps from barley harvest to finished spirit
• Question-friendly guides, with time to ask about Icelandic spirit making
• More than three pours can happen, with some groups reporting much larger tastings
• Small-group energy, including cases where the tour felt private or very close-knit

Eimverk in Reykjavik, why this short tour works

This is one of those Reykjavik activities that feels smarter than it sounds. You are not just standing in a shop tasting bottles. You are getting a guided look at how Iceland’s spirits get made, then tasting them right there, with the story attached.

I like the balance here. The session is short enough to fit your day, but it still includes both the background and the production walk. For $48, you are essentially paying for a guided education plus multiple alcohol tastings in one package, which tends to work out better than piecemeal tastings later.

Your welcome start: intro, history, and a real guide-led pace

The tour starts with an introduction at the distillery, plus a welcome drink to get you moving. From there, your guide sets the scene with the short but serious story of Icelandic spirit making, and how whiskey ended up being produced at Eimverk.

What makes this part work is the pace. You do not get thrown a wall of details and told to read labels. You get spoken context first, then you can ask questions while the ideas are still fresh.

Guides are a big reason people rate this tour so highly. Names that come up again and again include Roc, Rock, Paul, Eva, and Niko, and the common theme is a mix of clear explanation and real enthusiasm for the craft. You should expect to be treated like you belong in the room, not like you are there only to sample.

What you taste: Flóki whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, Víti Brennivín

The headline lineup is three spirits: Flóki, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín. That matters because these are not all the same type of drink, so your tasting does not feel repetitive.

Flóki whiskey

Flóki is Iceland’s first and only whiskey, which gives it built-in context even before the first sip. During the tasting, you get the production story behind the bottle, so the flavor comes with an explanation, not just a description.

Vor Premium Gin

Vor is the gin component, and it helps you understand what Eimverk aims for beyond whiskey. If you like gin, this is one of the easiest ways to spot how botanical flavors and distilling choices show up in the glass.

Víti Brennivín

Víti Brennivín rounds out the set with a distinctly Icelandic spirit. The guide typically explains how it fits into the broader Iceland spirit tradition, so you are not just tasting something unfamiliar, you are learning the why behind it.

A practical note on how much you might pour

The official package says tastings of three premium spirits. In real life, the tastings can be more generous and wider than that, with reports ranging from 9 up to 13 different spirits in some sessions. I would treat that as a bonus possibility, not a guarantee, but it explains why so many people leave feeling like the price was fair.

The second half includes the production facility, not just the tasting room

Halfway through the tasting, you head toward the production area. This is where the tour turns from sensory to real-world.

You walk through the process starting with barley harvesting and then follow the chain of steps that leads to the finished spirit. Being in the production area also makes it easier to take photos, because you can capture the distillery setup while you are still mid-explanation.

Then you head back for the second half of the sampling. That two-part structure is a clever trick: you taste, learn, see the workflow, then taste again with more context. If you are the kind of person who forgets what you learned as soon as you taste something strong, this format helps you stick the landing.

Why the history lesson matters, not just the alcohol

A distillery tour can go two ways. Either it becomes a sales pitch with drinks, or it gives you a reason the drinks exist.

Here, the history segment connects to the production choices. You learn how whiskey ended up being made in Iceland, and you hear the story of how the distillery developed what it produces today. That background helps you taste more accurately. Instead of guessing, you are listening for how the process shows up in flavor.

Even if you are not a hardcore whiskey person, the pairing of history plus production steps makes the tastings feel grounded. It is easier to enjoy a drink when you know what the maker was trying to do.

Price and value: does $48 make sense for 75 minutes?

At $48 for about 75 minutes, you are not buying a cheap snack, you are buying a guided activity. The value comes from what is bundled in:

• A guided distillery tour
• A live guide who explains both history and process
• Tastings of the key Eimverk spirits

A lot of people also talk about the tasting being extensive. Some mention a higher number of spirits than the three listed in the package. Even if your session stays closer to the three, you are still getting a more guided tasting than what you typically get at bar counters.

If you plan to buy drinks later anyway, it is worth comparing the cost of multiple purchases plus transit time. This tour turns that spending into something with structure and context.

Logistics in Reykjavik: bus #1 to Ásgarður, and how not to waste time

The meeting point instruction is straightforward: if you are taking the bus, take bus #1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about 8 minutes.

This is the part where you should plan smart. The distillery is not right in the center of Reykjavik, and you will want to avoid arriving late while you are also managing the weather. Some visitors say taxis are easy to grab after the tour, but you should still think ahead if you are scheduling this around dinner plans.

Also, come with a full stomach. One very practical piece of advice from people who did the tour is simple: do not go in on an empty stomach. With multiple tastings, it will make the whole experience more comfortable and more fun.

Group size and vibe: small feels more personal

Even though the tour is marketed as a single session, the vibe can vary by day. Some people report small groups, including cases that felt very close to private. That tends to improve the experience because you get more space to ask questions and chat with the guide.

You also mingle briefly with other guests during the tasting. That is part social, part educational, and it keeps the session from feeling like a formal lecture.

If you like interactive tours, this is a good fit. If you prefer quiet museum-style pacing, you might still enjoy it, but you will be in a room where tasting notes and questions get discussed in real time.

How to take your bottles home (and what to do with airport duty-free)

Most people use the gift-shop moment in two ways: they buy something small to fit travel, or they plan to buy later where it is cheaper.

Some visitors mention buying travel-size bottles from the shop at the distillery, then buying more at the airport duty-free on the way home for cost reasons tied to taxes. If you fly with checked luggage, you might have more flexibility. If you travel with hand luggage only, plan ahead and pick smaller formats.

You might also want to compare prices before you stock up. The tour shop sells bottles, and it is part of the experience, but it can still be worth timing your larger purchase for the airport if you have the option.

Who should book Eimverk’s whiskey and gin tasting

This is a strong match if you like any of these:

• Whiskey lovers who want Iceland’s story, not just generic whisky talk
• Gin fans who enjoy comparing botanicals and spirit style
• People who like guided tastings where you learn how the drink is made
• Travelers who want a short activity that still includes a production-floor segment

It is also a good choice for couples or small groups, because the time is compact and the guide can actually work with you.

Who might not love it

If you hate alcohol tastings, or you want a full meal included, this will feel like the wrong format. Food is not included, and the session is built around sampling. The best plan is to eat before you go.

Also, this activity is not suitable for children under 18, since it is focused on spirits tasting.

If you are extremely sensitive to strong smells or you expect a quiet tour, tell yourself to choose calmer pacing before you arrive. The environment is very much built around distilling and tasting.

Should you book? My practical call

Yes, I would book this if you are in Reykjavik and you want a real distillery visit with a guided tasting that teaches you what you are drinking. The price is reasonable for what you get, and the format is unusually smart because you see the production area mid-way and then taste again with better context.

I would not book it if you cannot handle alcohol tastings or if you are trying to do a true food-centered outing. In that case, look for something else in the city.

If you want an efficient, Iceland-flavored activity that connects Flóki, Vor, and Víti Brennivín to how the spirits are actually made, this is one of the easiest “worth it” choices you can make.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery guided tour with tasting?

The tour lasts 75 minutes.

What do you taste on this tour?

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

Is a guide included?

Yes, the tour includes a live tour guide.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

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

Is food included?

No, food is not included.

Where do I meet for the tour using public transport?

If you are taking the bus, take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk for 8 minutes.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What languages are the tour guides?

The tour is offered in English and Icelandic.

Is this tour suitable for children?

No, it is not suitable for children under 18.

What is the cancellation and payment policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.