Eimverk Distillery Visit

Iceland is not usually the first place people think of for whiskey, but Eimverk Distillery flips that idea fast. This is a small, focused stop where you learn how Icelandic spirits are made and then taste them in real time, not from a brochure.

Two things I really like: you get tastings of three different spirits (Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín), and the tour stays personal with a small group. One consideration, though, is that transportation is not included, so you’ll want to plan your ride to Garðabær.

If you like your Iceland with a bit of humor and a lot of spirit talk, this is one of the best “why didn’t we do this earlier?” evenings you can add to your trip.

Key points you’ll care about

• Iceland’s first and only whiskey distillery for a different kind of sightseeing
• Three tastings included: Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín
• Small group size (max 10) keeps questions from getting lost
• About 1 hour 10 minutes, so it fits well into an evening schedule
• One tour stop at the distillery, starting and ending at the same meeting point

Why Eimverk feels like a smart detour in Iceland

Iceland’s must-dos are famous for a reason, but they can also feel samey if you cram only nature stops back to back. A distillery visit breaks the pattern in a good way. At Eimverk, you’re not just looking at machinery. You’re learning how Icelandic barley and native herbs turn into whiskey, gin, and Brennivín, then you sample what you learned.

The tone of the experience matters too. A lot of the praise I see points to guides who tell stories and keep things fun. In feedback, names like Richie, Jon, and Rock come up again and again, and the consistent theme is that the guide makes the room feel relaxed. That’s a real plus if you don’t want a stuffy, lecture-only tour.

Price and value: $47.50 for a tasting tour that does not skimp

At $47.50 per person, this is not “cheap,” but it also isn’t priced like a single pour and a walk around a gift shop. The tour includes a guided visit plus tastings of Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín, along with alcoholic beverages as part of the experience.

What makes it feel like good value is the combination:

• You’re paying for instruction, not just admission.
• You’re paying for multiple spirit samples, not one.
• You’re getting a Q and A with someone from the Eimverk team.

If you already know you like trying local drinks, this is the kind of tour where your money goes toward enjoying and understanding what you’re tasting. And because it is only around 1 hour 10 minutes, you are not sacrificing a half day of Iceland time to do it.

Getting to Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær without stress

The tour starts at Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not have to guess where you’ll be dropped after.

Here’s the practical part: transportation to and from the distillery is not included. That matters because Garðabær is outside central Reykjavík. Based on feedback, it’s commonly done by bus, and taxis are also a common choice. One strong tip in the feedback is simple: don’t drive yourself out there if that sounds like a hassle.

If you are basing yourself in Reykjavík, I’d plan this as an evening activity where you can take a pre-booked taxi or a straightforward public option. Either way, I’d aim to arrive a bit early so you are not rushing in after your ride.

The schedule fit: 4:00 pm and another start time

This tour offers two start times to help you match your day. The provided start time shown is 4:00 pm.

The timing is a big deal because it gives you a clean rhythm. If you’ve spent earlier days chasing waterfalls, geothermal areas, or long drives, an afternoon start gives you a calmer last stop. It also works well for people who want something social and indoors without starting a late-night program.

Plan on the tour itself running about 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.). That’s long enough to cover tastings and the production story, but short enough that you can still make dinner plans afterward.

Inside the distillery: what happens during the guided visit

You essentially get one main stop: your group is at Eimverk, and the guide runs the whole show from there. You’ll get a guided tour through the distillery, then the tastings come as the story builds.

You can think of it like this:

1. You learn what Eimverk is and what they produce.
2. You sample in a guided way, so you’re not just drinking, you’re tasting with direction.
3. You learn how the process works at a practical level, including seeing the distilling process midway.

This format is why the reviews feel so consistent. People leave remembering both the spirits and how they are made, not just that they took a few sips.

Flóki whisky: the Iceland barley story you can taste

The whisky tasting is Flóki Whisky, described as the first and only whisky from Iceland’s native spirit scene at Eimverk. You’ll learn about the process of making Icelandic spirits from Icelandic barley. That detail matters, because it’s easy to assume whiskey is just whiskey anywhere. Here, the ingredients and approach are specifically tied to Iceland.

What I like about this stop is that it gives context. You’re not handed a glass and told to guess what you’re tasting. The guide’s explanations help you connect flavors to production choices.

Also, if you think you’re only going to like the whisky and skip everything else, this tour is set up to change that. A number of the feedback comments mention that the experience starts with structured tasting guidance, then people end up enjoying gin and Brennivín too.

Vor gin: why native herbs matter more than you expect

Next up is Vor our premium pot distilled gin. The key idea is not just that it’s gin. It’s gin shaped by local ingredients, including native herbs and botanicals.

Gin can be polarizing for people who mainly drink whiskey or wine. The tour helps because it treats tasting as a skill. In the feedback, I see a repeated theme that the tasting starts with a simple “mechanics of tasting” kind of lesson. That is smart, because it levels the playing field. You don’t need to be a spirits nerd to enjoy the guided approach.

If you’ve never paid attention to herb-driven flavors, this is a good place to learn how they show up in the glass. And if you already love gin, you’ll probably appreciate being shown what makes their style different.

Víti Brennivín: the traditional Icelandic drink that lands last

The final tasting is Víti Brennivín, described as an old style Icelandic Brennivín handcrafted from native herbs and botanicals.

Brennivín can be one of those drinks that people either love immediately or need a second try. The tour setting helps. You’re already warmed up from earlier tastings, and the guide is still in story mode, explaining what makes this traditional spirit what it is.

I like that Brennivín is included in a whiskey and gin focused tour. It feels like the “Iceland version” of the tasting, the drink that closes the loop on the local theme.

The distilling process stop, plus how the guide shapes your tasting

One of the most repeated high points is that you’re shown the distilling process midway. Even without getting into heavy technical detail, seeing the process part of the experience changes how you understand the final product. It turns the tastings from random sampling into a guided sequence.

The other standout is the guide’s delivery. In feedback, guides are described as funny, engaging, and proud of the business. A lot of tours give you information. This one also gives you personality, and it helps people stay focused through multiple tastings.

If you want the practical takeaway, it’s this: tasting gets easier when someone gives you a method. Even if you’re not into spirits, you can learn how to notice differences between whisky, gin, and Brennivín instead of just saying they all taste strong.

Q and A with the Eimverk team: where questions actually get answered

After the tastings and distillery walkthrough, there’s time for Q and A with a member of the Eimverk team.

That may sound like a small part of the schedule, but it’s often the part that makes the whole experience feel worth it. You can ask about production choices, the spirits, or how a small distillery builds a brand. And because the group is capped at 10 travelers, you’re not shouting into a crowd.

Also, a smaller group helps with pacing. People in feedback describe the experience as comfortable, with a host who doesn’t rush the room. That matters if you’re the type who likes time to taste, reset, and ask follow-ups.

Who should book Eimverk Distillery (and who might not)

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a non-standard Iceland activity that still feels local.
• You like drinking with guidance, so you taste more intentionally.
• You enjoy tours where the guide tells stories, not just facts.
• You’re short on time and want something that runs about 1 hour 10 minutes.

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate alcohol tastings and would rather do a no-drink tour.
• You need transportation included, because it is not included and you’ll plan your own way to Garðabær.

If you’re traveling with someone who only “sort of” likes spirits, this tour can still work because the tasting includes different styles. Whisky for the whisky fans, gin for the herb and botanical crowd, and Brennivín for the traditional Iceland angle.

Practical tips to make your tour smoother

Here are a few things that will help you enjoy this more:

• Plan your ride early, since transportation is not included.
• Expect multiple tastings, and pace yourself. If you want to be social, it’s still a tasting format, not just a quick sip.
• Wear something warm if you’re arriving from Reykjavík in the late day. Iceland weather can shift fast, and you’ll want to feel comfortable walking in and out.

Also, if you like souvenirs, the distillery experience often includes the kind of shop buying that turns into a fond memory. One detail showing up in feedback is the kind of merch guests pick up on site, like a hoodie.

Should you book the Eimverk Distillery visit?

If you want something different than the usual Iceland sightseeing loop, I think this is a strong choice. The big reasons are practical: three tastings are included, the tour is a manageable 1 hour 10 minutes, and the small group setting makes it feel personal instead of rushed.

Book it if you enjoy local drinks, want to learn how spirits are made, and like guides who keep the mood upbeat. I would skip it if you do not want alcohol included at all, or if getting to Garðabær is likely to be a hassle for you.

FAQ

Where does the Eimverk Distillery tour start?

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

How long is the tour?

The distillery experience runs about 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.).

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $47.50 per person.

What spirits are included in the tastings?

You’ll sample Flóki whisky, Vor gin, and Víti Brennivín.

What time does the tour run?

The tour start time shown is 4:00 pm, and there is a choice of two start times.

Is transportation to and from the distillery included?

No. Transportation to and from the attractions is not included.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

How big are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.