Brennivín is the original Icelandic Schnapps.

One of many well known at Kolviðarhóll was the Brennivín Ghost. He was said to have been the son of a Danish attendant, at the Sunchenberg store in Reykjavík. His duties lay in keeping count of liquor in store, but was also a liquor lover himself. He used to take horsebackrides to Kolvidarhóll and to Marardalur every summer to quench his thirst for liquor, considering these trips to be his best. This man passed away in his bed in Reykjavík, but the following winter two men from the south of Iceland were riding over the meadow, heading for the shelter on Kolviðarhóll to rest.

When they opened the door, they were startled by hearing someone singing in the attic. They didn't expect anyone to be there, cause outside there were no signs of people. When the men went into the attic, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. On the floor by the window there sat a man alone, who seemed rather content. It was a distinguished looking man with a tophat, a wig and elegantly dressed, wearing a dark kaftan as an overall and silver buttons on each lapel.

A sweet smell came from the bucket of brennivin, he had on the floor between his feet. In one hand, the man held a tin can or a cup and with it he scooped the brennivin from the bucket, took a sip and then poured it back into the bucket. With humorous eyes, he glanced upon his doings. The two companions greeted the uncanny man and wondered about his behaviour and his great amount of booze. He did not return their greetings, but instead he held out his foot, on which he wore a fancy Danish shoe and with a dark voice, he would tell them a verse.

Then he stood up on his feet and swinging his arm about, holding the cup, he disappeared in a fiery glow and at once there was total darkness in the attic. The companions felt frightened and uncomfortable, ran down the stairs and out into the bright spring night, where their discomfort would soon leave them.

Needless to say, the two companions rode their way across the meadows and reached Reykir in Ölfus at early dawn.