Aurora Spirit Distillery in Norway sits above the Arctic Circle and lays claim to being the northermost distillery in the world. The company makes a range of spirits including whiskey, gin, and vodka, but when you’re this close to Santa, what you want to drink is aquavit, the iconic tipple of Scandinavia.
Bivrost Cask Aquavit is a traditional expression of the spirit, made from a base of potato distillate, with traditional herbs and spices added. It’s aged in sherry casks in Aurora’s underground storage vaults which were previously part of a network of tunnels in a Cold War NATO base.
While Aurora says this is a medium- to full-bodied aquavit, I find it quite light on its feet, with a gentle cereal quality that lets classic notes of dill and caraway waft from the glass. Again, quite gentle on the palate, there’s a light sweetness here that gives the aquavit a pastry-like quality with almond overtones alongside the prominent herbaceousness. Notes of fennel build on the finish — still rather delicate — with elements of coconut late in the game. Aquavit can be a divisive experience, but this one is actually refreshing.
80 proof.
A- / $40 (500ml) / bivrost.com
Bivrost Cask Aquavit
$40
