Icelandic spirits

History

From prohibition to Beer Day

Icelanders voted to ban alcohol in a referendum in 1908, and prohibition took effect on 1 January 1915. Wine came back first, in the early 1920s, after Spain refused to keep buying Icelandic fish unless Iceland bought Spanish wine. Spirits were legalised again in 1935 – but beer stronger than 2.25% stayed banned for another 54 years.

The beer ban finally ended on 1 March 1989. Icelanders still celebrate the date as Beer Day (Bjórdagurinn), and the country now has a thriving craft beer scene.

The national spirit

Brennivín – the “Black Death”

Brennivín is Iceland’s signature spirit: a clear aquavit distilled from grain and flavoured only with caraway, bottled at 37.5%. It tastes savoury and herbal – a bit like fresh rye bread. Its nickname, svarti dauði or “Black Death”, comes from the stark black label with a white skull that the authorities once required, hoping to make it less appealing. It did not work.

Brennivín is drunk ice cold as a shot, and it is the traditional partner to hákarl (fermented shark) at Þorrablót, the midwinter feast held from late January into February.

Craft distilling

Iceland’s craft distilleries

Iceland’s distilling scene is young and small – a handful of producers, most of them founded in the last twenty years. A few worth knowing:

What makes them different

Water, botanicals and geothermal heat

Water. Icelandic water is famously soft and pure, filtered through lava rock over thousands of years – it is the backbone of every Icelandic vodka and gin.

Botanicals. Distillers forage or grow local ingredients: juniper, birch, angelica, Iceland moss, rhubarb, crowberries and blueberries.

Energy. Geothermal heat is everywhere in Iceland. At Hovdenak we heat the distillery with geothermal water only, and distil under vacuum, so the spirit distils at a lower temperature and turns out smoother.

Our range

Award-winning Icelandic spirits

• Stuðlaberg Gin – juniper, citrus and orange with a hint of cardamom and liquorice. 94 points, International Drinks Specialists.
• Stuðlaberg Pink & Blue – a fruity pink gin and a colour-changing butterfly pea gin.
• Loki Vodka – Icelandic potato vodka, vacuum distilled. 95 points.
• Askur Aquavit – a modern Icelandic aquavit. 95 points.
• Hvítserkur rum – white, spiced and dark (aged in Oloroso sherry casks).
• Rökkvi, Þristur & Appolo Lakkrís – coffee, chocolate-cream and liquorice liqueurs made with beloved Icelandic brands.

See the full range →   Cocktail recipes →

Practical

Buying alcohol in Iceland

• The legal age to buy alcohol is 20 – bring ID.
• Anything stronger than 2.25% is sold only in Vínbúðin, the state liquor stores. Supermarkets only sell light beer.
• In the Reykjavík area Vínbúðin is typically open Mon–Thu 11–18, Fri 11–19 and Sat 11–18, with a few larger stores open longer on weekdays. Closed on Sundays.
• The duty-free store at Keflavík Airport is in the arrivals hall next to baggage claim – the easiest place to stock up when you land.
• Visiting from the USA? Several of our spirits are available through our importer Longship Liquors.

FAQ

Good to know