I love how fast this tour moves from history to pours. In about 75 minutes, you get a guided look at Eimverk Distillery plus a hands-on tasting of Iceland’s spirits.

It’s a smart stop if you want something cultural without spending your whole day in a museum.

Two things I really like: you’ll learn the production process step by step, and you’ll taste three major Eimverk spirits in a guided format (not just a quick sip).

One drawback to plan for: it doesn’t include food, so if you’re sensitive to alcohol, you’ll want to eat first.

I also like that the experience feels intentionally interactive. The guide is there to answer questions, and the pace gives you time to compare flavors in a relaxed way, then walk through the production area before a second round of tasting.

That mix of story, process, and tasting is why this tour works well even for people who don’t think they’re “liquor people” yet.

Key Points You’ll Actually Care About

• 75 minutes that blend history + distilling basics + tasting, so you don’t feel rushed but you also don’t lose a whole evening.
• A guided tasting of 3 spirits: Flóki Icelandic whiskey, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.
• You’ll visit the production facility and get a behind-the-scenes view, including the flow from barley harvesting onward.
• It’s easy to ask questions, and the guide style is part of the deal; past sessions have been led by guides including Roc, Paul, and Eva.
• The experience is wheelchair accessible and runs in English or Icelandic.
• No food is included, so plan to eat before you go.

Getting to Eimverk Distillery Without Making It Hard

Eimverk Distillery is in the Capital Region, just outside central Reykjavik, and the meeting point is set up to be doable by public transit.

If you’re taking the bus, take Route 1 from downtown Reykjavík to Ásgarður, then walk about 8 minutes. That’s usually the kind of route where you can relax, because buses in Reykjavik are straightforward and frequent enough for day-trip plans.

Two practical notes:

• The tour doesn’t include hotel pickup and drop-off, so build in time to get there on your own.
• If you’re deciding between bus and taxi, taxis are often simple after the tour because you’re leaving at a fixed time. If you prefer low-effort logistics, a taxi both ways is the easiest option.

If you want to keep your day flexible, this activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve now & pay later option.

How the 75 Minutes Work: Welcome Drink, History, Then Tasting

The experience is built like a two-part evening. You start in the tasting space, then you move into the production area, then you return for the second half of sampling.

It begins with an introduction to Eimverk and a welcome drink. That opening matters because it sets the tone: you’re not just “waiting to taste.” You’re learning what to pay attention to—how to notice aroma, how flavors develop, and how the style changes from one spirit to the next.

Then you get the context: the guide talks about the history of whiskey in Iceland and how it connects to Eimverk. Iceland’s spirit story isn’t long like some European traditions, but it’s still meaningful—because it’s tied to local ingredients, changing tastes, and the practical challenge of making premium spirits in a country where everything depends on consistent sourcing and process.

After that, the first half of the tasting starts. This is where you benefit from the guided structure. The tasting isn’t random; it’s ordered so you can compare styles and understand why they taste different.

You’ll also have time to ask questions. That open Q&A is a real plus. If you’re the kind of person who wonders why gin botanicals behave one way in one drink and another way in another, this is the moment to ask.

The Production Facility Walk-Through: Barley Harvest to the Final Spirit

About halfway through, you head to the production facility. This is the part that makes the tour feel more like a real distillery visit and less like a tasting event.

You’ll learn the process from the beginning—starting with barley harvesting—and follow the steps that turn raw agricultural material into something drinkable. The exact technical details depend on what the guide emphasizes that day, but the flow is the same: you’re shown how ingredients and process steps link to final flavor.

Why this section is valuable: tasting without process is fun, but process without tasting is just facts. Here, you get both. You’ll look at equipment and workflow, then go back to the tasting room with a clearer sense of what you’re tasting and why it exists.

You’ll also have a chance to take photos of the production area. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to turn “I drank something” into “I learned something,” this stop helps you remember the experience beyond just a flavor memory.

Once the facility visit is done, you return for the second half of the tasting. This is where comparisons get easier, because your brain has just connected smell and taste to the steps you saw.

Your Tasting Lineup: Flóki, Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín

The included tastings focus on three Eimverk spirits:

• Flóki, described as Iceland’s first and only whiskey
• Vor Premium Gin
• Víti Brennivín

That trio is a smart choice. Whiskey, gin, and brennivín cover three different flavor directions, so you get range in a short time. You’re not stuck only in one “spirit lane.”

Here’s how to think about each one while you taste:

Flóki Icelandic Whiskey

Flóki is your “center of gravity” spirit. Icelandic whiskey is still a newer story compared to old-world Scotch traditions, but the tour’s framing helps you understand what makes it Icelandic: the local production ambition, ingredient choices, and the distillery’s development path.

As you taste, pay attention to how the flavor reads as both familiar and different. You’ll likely notice how the guide connects whiskey’s character to process rather than myths.

Vor Premium Gin

Gin often gets talked about as if it’s just botanicals, but on this tour you’ll be guided toward noticing structure—how the core spirit and botanical notes interact.

If you’re a gin fan, this is the portion where you can start thinking like a taster. You’ll learn what to look for and how to describe what you’re sensing beyond just “it tastes good.”

Some people walk in expecting one category and leave more interested in another. One tour-goer noted they turned into a gin drinker after tasting here—so don’t underestimate how changing your mind can happen in 75 minutes.

Víti Brennivín

Brennivín has a distinct Iceland vibe. Even if you haven’t had it before, the tour format helps because you’re tasting it with context rather than blindly following the crowd.

Try to notice where it feels bold versus smooth, and how it changes in your palate after the whiskey and gin. This last taste in the sequence is often the one that makes you remember the tour, because it’s different from what many people expect.

The Bonus Reality: More Spirits May Appear

The tour includes tastings of three premium spirits, but some sessions may include additional pours as part of the tasting experience. That can happen based on how the tasting is structured that day.

So if you see something else on the tasting table—like an Icelandic birch whiskey or a smoked sheep dung whiskey—don’t panic. The safe move is to ask what it is and what to notice. The guide’s job is to help you compare, not just hand you a glass.

Group Energy and the Role of the Guide

Small-group energy is a quiet advantage here. When the group feels manageable, you get better conversation and quicker explanations, especially if you’re asking questions.

The guide is a big part of the experience too. Past sessions have included guides named Roc, Paul, and Eva, and the consistent theme in how people describe them is that they blend practical distilling talk with humor and real storytelling.

If you want a tour where you can actively participate—ask questions, react to flavors, and learn how to taste like a person who cares—this is a good fit.

One more practical tip: don’t try to “power through” on an empty stomach. This is a tasting experience with multiple pours. Eat beforehand so your palate and your mood stay steady.

Price and Value: Is $48 Worth 75 Minutes?

At about $48 per person for 75 minutes, the value depends on what you want from Reykjavik.

If your goal is a short activity that gives:

• a guided distillery walk-through,
• an actual tasting with instruction,
• and context on Icelandic whiskey and gin making,

then $48 is reasonable. You’re paying for more than access; you’re paying for guided interpretation.

The fact that you’re tasting three spirits in a guided format helps. Some experiences in Reykjavik charge similar prices but offer a lighter educational component. Here, the process visit (including barley harvesting) turns the tasting into a story you can follow.

There’s also a behind-the-scenes buying angle worth mentioning. You’ll often be in a shop environment where you can purchase bottles. If you plan to bring bottles home, consider where you’re allowed to pack them (checked luggage vs cabin), and think ahead about duty-free options.

One traveler even noted that buying at the airport duty-free can be cheaper than buying at the distillery due to taxes. I can’t promise that comparison always works out the same way, but it’s a smart check when you’re planning your souvenirs.

Also, if you’re bringing back gifts, the tour’s tastings give you a better chance of picking a bottle your recipient will actually like—not just buying because the label looks Icelandic.

What to Bring, What to Wear, and How to Not Regret It

This is an easy tour physically, but Reykjavik weather can change fast. Wear layers. You’ll likely walk a few minutes before and after the production facility stop, and you’ll want to stay comfortable for tasting.

Here’s what I suggest based on the experience style:

• Eat beforehand, especially if you don’t usually drink.
• Bring a small wallet for bottle shopping if you want it, because the tasting may make you want to take something home.
• If you’re a fan of gin, keep your mind open. Some people who weren’t gin drinkers end up shifting preferences after tasting Vor Premium Gin properly.

If you’re traveling from the UK, there’s also a fun note: one guide-facing idea from past visitors is to bring a small bottle of something like sloe gin back for flavor comparison and conversation. It’s not required, but it’s a neat way to turn the tasting into a mini exchange.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a great match if you:

• love whiskey or gin and want structured tasting guidance,
• want a short activity in Reykjavik that still feels hands-on,
• like learning how products are made, not only where they’re made.

It’s also a good choice for people who feel “too touristy” booking the big sights but still want an Iceland story with local flavor. Distillery tours work well because they’re more intimate than most attractions.

One clear limit: it’s not suitable for children under 18. If you’re traveling with teens, this probably won’t work.

If you hate tasting alcohol, or if you’re avoiding spirits for health or personal reasons, this may not be your best use of time. The tour is built around tasting and learning through taste.

Should You Book the Eimverk Distillery Tour?

My take: you should book it if you want a compact Reykjavik experience that mixes Icelandic spirit history, a real production facility walk-through, and a guided tasting that teaches you how to pay attention.

I’d skip it only if you’re truly not interested in spirits, or if you don’t want the reality that it includes alcohol and no included food. Fix that with a good meal, and it becomes much less of an issue.

If you’re in Reykjavik and you like the idea of tasting Icelandic whiskey like Flóki, gin like Vor, and brennivín like Víti, this is one of those tours that turns a single evening into a clear memory. Not because it’s flashy. Because it’s practical, guided, and local.

FAQ

How long is the Eimverk Distillery guided tour with tasting?

The tour runs for 75 minutes.

What spirits do you taste on the tour?

The included tastings cover three premium spirits: Flóki (Iceland’s whiskey), Vor Premium Gin, and Víti Brennivín.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the distillery tour, a guide, and tastings of 3 premium spirits.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

How do I get to the meeting point using public transport?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 18.

What languages are the tours offered in?

Tours are available in English and Icelandic.

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