Aurora Spirit Distillery – visit the northernmost distillery in the world

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On February 18, 2020, we visited the northernmost distillery in the world, the Aurora Spirit Distillery. This was opened in summer 2016 in the north of Norway near Lyngseidet. It lies at about 69° 38.15 N. Very far to the north.

Micha and I had already booked the trip to the distillery for March 2019. Unfortunately, the trip was canceled at very short notice because the ferry did not sail due to a storm. This time we didn’t start in Tromsø, but in Lyngseidet.

Arctic Whisky Experience

We booked the trip through Lyngen Adventure. They even remembered my name there (because of last year). The “Arctic Whisky Experience” can also be started from Tromsø, but costs more due to the longer journey and ferry.

The package includes:

• Guided tour of the distillery
• A meal made from local produce (other dietary options are available)
• Tasting of the products
• Free whisky tasting glass
• Spending time at the beautiful Arctic Distillery
• A trip to the secret underground whisky bunker
• The opportunity to ask questions to our experienced employees
• Free Wi-Fi and use of the lounge with panoramic views of the mountains and fjord
• Transfers from Tromsø (including Ferry Crossing) or Lyngseidet

Duration: approx. 4 – 7 hours
Cost: from NOK 990 (approx. EUR 99) per person

Procedure

We were picked up by a small bus in Lyngseidet at around 10:45 am. The drive along the icy and sometimes narrow road was a bit of an adventure, but we were already used to that.

We were welcomed in the Bivrost Lounge by an employee of the distillery. Unfortunately, I have forgotten her name. We were allowed to smell the ingredients in an anteroom and were given a very good explanation of what they are used for.

In the next room, a video was shown and the individual production steps were explained in detail and clearly. The grain malt mash is delivered ready to the distillery. The mash is distilled there and stored in underground bunkers.

After the tour of the production facilities, there was a small tasting of the spirits and a short trip to one of the bunkers where the barrels are stored.

Tasting

After the interesting and detailed tour, we were able to sample the spirits in the Bivrost Lounge. We were also given a very good explanation of the individual spirits. The selection is not exactly small. And I have to say, it all tasted very good. I’m not a specialist, but the taste convinced me. There was also a whisky to try, but it is still too “young” for bottling. Very smooth and hardly any smoky aroma. Just the way I like it.

We were served another meal made from local produce. Salmon, prawns, cold scrambled eggs, potato salad, goat’s cheese and salami.

Leisure time

There was not much time to explore on our own, but enough. Micha walked to the Nato bunker and we were able to have a leisurely coffee, because Norwegians drink more coffee than tea. This is how it was explained to us [sce emoji=”wink” /] There are several bunkers scattered around the site, as it is a former military facility.

The Spirits or the products

The spirits run under the name “Bivrost – Arctic Norway Distilled”:

• Aqvavit
• Cask Aqvavit
• Arctic Gin
• Aqvavit Liqueur
• Vodka
• Cloudberry Vodka
• Whisky (from May 2020)

Regional ingredients are used for the production. Water from an ancient Arctic glacier in the Lyngen Alps is used, as well as herbs that grow there in the high mountains.

Sale of spirits

According to Norwegian law, the products may not be sold directly from the distillery. According to this law, wine and spirits for personal consumption may only be sold at the state alcohol retailer Vinmonopolet.

There is a branch of Vinmonopolet directly in Lyngseidet. Opening hours are for a few hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Since such data can also change, please check on site.

If you are traveling by plane and not flying via Oslo or other Norwegian cities, you can buy the spirits in the duty-free store at Tromsø Airport. I picked up 2 bottles of 0.5 liters each (Arctic Gin for NOK 279 and Aqvavit Liqueur for NOK 219).

In Germany, the spirits can be purchased from specialist retailers and online via the store of Spirits of Scandinavia shop.

Bivrost – Where does the name come from?

The name Bivrost (or Bifröst “swaying sky road”; Beberast or Asbru “Aesir bridge”) comes from Norse mythology. The three-beam rain arch bridge between Midgard “earth world” and Asgard “heavenly realm” is guarded by the Aesir god Heimdall. If danger threatens, it sends a red fire across the bridge.

We can also see the bivouac when the sky is clear [sce emoji=”wink” /]. We call them something else. Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis. And when they dance, you understand the “swaying skyway”. Apparently Asgard was in danger on 15.02.2020, because we saw the red fire above the green road.

Conclusion

We were delighted to be able to take the guided tour of Aurora Spirit Distillery this year. Our impression was that this is a small, fine and modern distillery. The explanations of the individual production steps and the individual ingredients were very detailed. You could smell the ingredients and even touch them. Sometimes the explanations in English were a bit too fast for me. I had to be careful to understand everything. A lot of time was taken to answer our questions. The staff were very friendly. They also explained to us why the first whisky will not be available to buy until May 2020. Maturation in the barrels is not yet complete, as the distillery is still quite young. A whisky must mature in a cask for at least 3 years and 1 day.

The distillery makes sure that visitor groups are not too large. Ours consisted of 6 people and the following group of 12. It was a very special experience.

Summary

Opening hours for visitors: Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 15:00.
Other options can be offered for special requests and groups.

The“Arctic Whisky Experience” can be booked via the Lyngen Adventure homepage can be booked.

Homepage of the “Aurora Spirit Distillery” with more information in English.

++ Information without guarantee. Our visit was in 2020, the offer and prices may have changed since then! ++