Caraway potato spirit, and in the Linie version, matured in sherry casks that are shipped across the equator and back. That habit began with nineteenth-century traders who found the casks that had made the voyage tasted better than the ones that stayed home.
It begins with distillation, which is illegal without a licence, and the aged version is matured aboard ship on a scheduled voyage.
What goes into it
- potato or grain spirit
- caraway seed
- dill, fennel, anise and citrus peel depending on the house
- oak or sherry casks
How it is made
A neutral spirit is redistilled with caraway and other botanicals, then — for the aged Norwegian styles — put into old sherry casks and matured. Linie casks are loaded onto ships, crossed to Australia and back over about four months, and the constant motion and temperature change speed the extraction from the wood. Each bottle carries the ship and the dates on its back label.
How long it takes: about four and a half months at sea for Linie; other styles age in a warehouse
How it is eaten
Cold in a small glass with pickled herring, lutefisk and Christmas food.
History
Potato spirit flavoured with caraway; Linie aquavit is matured in sherry casks shipped across the equator and back, a habit begun by nineteenth-century traders.
Frequently asked questions
What is Aquavit?
Aquavit is a wine & spirit from Norway: caraway potato spirit; linie barrels age crossing the equator. Potato spirit flavoured with caraway; Linie aquavit is matured in sherry casks shipped across the equator and back, a habit begun by nineteenth-century traders.
How is Aquavit made?
A neutral spirit is redistilled with caraway and other botanicals, then — for the aged Norwegian styles — put into old sherry casks and matured. Linie casks are loaded onto ships, crossed to Australia and back over about four months, and the constant motion and temperature change speed the extraction from the wood. Each bottle carries the ship and the dates on its back label. It takes about four and a half months at sea for Linie; other styles age in a warehouse.
Can I make Aquavit at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It begins with distillation, which is illegal without a licence, and the aged version is matured aboard ship on a scheduled voyage.
What goes into Aquavit?
Potato or grain spirit, caraway seed, dill, fennel, anise and citrus peel depending on the house, oak or sherry casks.
How is Aquavit eaten?
Cold in a small glass with pickled herring, lutefisk and Christmas food.
