Iceland’s whiskey lesson is a surprise. At Eimverk Distillery, I like that you get three real tastings (Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín) and that the guide walks you through how these spirits are made, not just what’s in the glass. The one thing to plan for is that you’re drinking during the tour, so don’t rely on driving yourself back.

This is a small-group visit (max 10) that runs about 1 hour 10 minutes, with a mobile ticket and the option of two start times. Most days include a mid-tour look at the distilling process, plus time for Q&A with someone from the Eimverk team.

Key points to know before you go

• Iceland’s first and only whiskey distillery makes this feel like a true offbeat stop
• Flóki, Vor, and Víti tasting lineup covers whisky, gin, and traditional Brennivín in one session
• A guided walkthrough of production includes a look at the distilling process
• Max 10 travelers keeps things chatty, with plenty of chances to ask questions
• Mobile ticket keeps check-in simple, and the tour ends back at the meeting point

Eimverk Distillery is your shortcut to Icelandic spirits

Iceland can surprise you with what it makes well, and Eimverk is proof. You’re not going for a generic brewery stop. You’re going to Iceland’s first and only whiskey distillery, where the spirit lineup spans whisky, gin, and traditional Brennivín.

What makes the experience click is the mix of storytelling and sensory learning. You taste, you ask questions, and you get an explanation of what’s driving flavor—from Icelandic barley used for the whisky to native herbs and botanicals used in the other products. It turns an evening activity into something you’ll remember, even if you’re not the biggest whiskey person in your group.

What Eimverk makes on this tour: Flóki, Vor, and Víti

This tour gives you a lineup that covers three different Icelandic spirit styles, so you can compare the approach side by side.

First is Flóki whisky. You’ll learn about the production process from Icelandic barley, then taste the whisky made from that raw ingredient. Even if you usually stick to beer or wine, this stop is a solid way to understand what whisky means here, because it’s tied to local inputs rather than imported ideas.

Next comes Vor gin. You’ll hear how it’s made as a premium pot-distilled gin, and it’s crafted using native herbs and botanicals. Gin can taste like anything from crisp to piney to spicy depending on botanicals—so this part is where you start thinking about how ingredients shape aroma and bite.

Finally, you’ll taste Víti Brennivín. Brennivín is Iceland’s traditional spirit, and this version is described as handcrafted from native herbs and botanicals as well. The payoff is that you don’t just sample a final drink—you learn why it’s considered a classic category in Icelandic drinking culture.

Meeting point at Lyngás 13 and how to plan your ride

The tour starts at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland and ends back at the same meeting point. Transportation to and from the attraction isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan how you’ll get there and return.

Here’s the practical angle: the start time is 4:00 pm, and that’s ideal for a late-afternoon plan in the Reykjavík area. But since you’ll be drinking during the tour, treat getting there and getting back as your number one logistics check. If you’re staying in Reykjavík, you’ll likely be taking a bus or taxi type of ride to keep it easy.

Also, note the tour is capped at 10 travelers. That smaller size matters because it usually means less rushing around the room and more time for conversation.

The flow of the 1 hour 10 minutes tour

You’re not on a long, wandering itinerary. You’re on a focused visit that packs a lot into a short window.

You begin at Eimverk Distillery, where your guide leads the tastings and explains what you’re seeing and tasting. The tour includes:

• Admission ticket access to the distillery experience
• Guided tour through the facility
• Tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín
• Q&A with a member of the Eimverk team
• Alcoholic beverages as part of the tasting

A key moment is that you’ll be shown the distilling process partway through. That’s what turns this from a pure tasting into an actual production visit. You’ll get a sense of the steps that happen between raw ingredients and what ends up in your glass.

The whole thing runs about 1 hour 10 minutes, so you can slot it in even on a travel day. It also works well as an ending activity—some people time it for the evening before leaving—because it feels like a fun capstone after days of other sightseeing.

Tastings that feel guided, not random

A lot of spirit tastings get you through the lineup but skip the why. Here, the tasting experience is set up to teach you how to taste, and that changes everything.

One thing I’d expect you to notice: the guide’s approach isn’t just pour-and-pray. You’ll get explanations tied to production and ingredients, and you’ll taste multiple spirits so you can compare differences. Some guides in this setup use a structured way to talk through tasting, so you know what to pay attention to with each pour.

Then the drinks start to make sense as categories, not just flavors. Gin is its own world because of botanicals. Whisky becomes easier to interpret when you connect it back to Icelandic barley and the production steps. And Brennivín is easier to appreciate once you understand that it’s also built around native ingredients.

That’s why the tastings land. You’re not just collecting a few tastes. You’re building a mental map of how Icelandic spirits are made and how they end up tasting.

Guides who bring stories, laughs, and real answers

The biggest reason this tour earns such strong enthusiasm is the human factor. Guides in this experience tend to mix explanation with humor and storytelling. You might hear names like Jon, Richie, Rock, or others, depending on your date, but the pattern is the same: they keep the group engaged and talk with pride about the business and the products.

In practice, that means:

• You get clear answers while you’re tasting
• You can ask questions during the Q&A
• You’re more likely to leave with favorites, because you understand what drove each flavor

This matters for value too. When a tour is just about access, you pay for the ticket and then you’re on your own. Here, the guide helps you interpret what you’re experiencing, which is why the experience feels bigger than the time on the clock.

Is it worth $47.50? The real value is what’s included

Price is $47.50 per person. On its face, that’s not a cheap impulse buy. But here’s why it can feel like good value: you’re paying for the distillery visit plus multiple tastings and admission, not just a lecture.

The included items are doing the heavy lifting:

• Guided distillery tour
• Flóki whisky tasting
• Vor gin tasting
• Víti Brennivín tasting
• Q&A with a team member
• Alcoholic beverages included

So you’re basically buying a guided production visit and turning it into a tasting flight that covers three spirit types. In Reykjavík, you can spend far more for fewer included experiences, especially once you add the cost of drinks and the time cost of organizing them. This is one ticket that bundles the whole evening plan.

One extra value detail: group size. With a maximum of 10 travelers, you’re more likely to get personal attention rather than being one voice in a crowd.

Who should book Eimverk and who should skip it

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• An easy, distinct alternative to typical sightseeing
• A concentrated evening activity with production plus tasting
• A way to compare whisky, gin, and Brennivín without doing three separate outings
• A small group setting with time for questions

It’s also a good choice if your group includes different drink preferences. Even if some people aren’t all-in on whisky, the inclusion of gin and Brennivín makes it more balanced.

I’d be more cautious if:

• You don’t want alcohol as part of your trip plan
• You rely on driving yourself and don’t have a backup ride method

And if you’re visiting at the right time of day, the 4:00 pm start is handy. You get a late-afternoon start that still leaves time for dinner afterward, without the stress of an all-day schedule.

Book or not? My recommendation

I think you should book Eimverk if you want a real Icelandic flavor stop that doesn’t feel like a tourist-only performance. The tasting lineup—Flóki, Vor, and Víti—gives you variety, and the distilling process walkthrough gives context. The small-group size adds to the comfort, and the guides’ mix of humor and explanation helps the time fly by.

If your trip is already packed, this is still an efficient add-on because it’s just over an hour. But if you’re driving and can’t arrange a no-stress ride home, plan ahead first. Fix transportation, then book.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery visit?

It lasts about 1 hour 10 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $47.50 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The start point is Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland.

What time does it start?

One listed start time is 4:00 pm, and there is also a choice of two start times.

What do I sample on this tour?

You taste Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín.

Is the guided tour and admission included in the price?

Yes. The tour includes the guided distillery visit and tastings, along with alcohol.

Do I need transportation to and from the distillery?

Transportation to and from the attraction is not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, it’s a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you won’t receive a refund.

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