When talking about Swedish spirits and distilleries, most people have heard of Absolut Vodka. While we're absolutely proud that this well-known spirit has put Sweden on the map for quality spirit production, there are many more Swedish distilleries worth mentioning – and visiting. Here you can read about some of them, but of course we start with Absolut Vodka.
Walk into a bar anywhere in the world and more often than not you will spot Absolut with its characteristic clear bottle and the silver imprint of L.O Smith. Lars Olsson Smith was a maverick Swedish entrepreneur, commonly known as “the king of spirits”, who founded what is now Absolut back in 1879. All ingredients in Absolut Vodka come from southern Sweden and all production takes place in or around Åhus, a small town in Skåne county where Absolut Vodka was founded. The autumn wheat that is used in the vodka is sown, grown and harvested by local farmers.
If you had to guess where the best gin in the world is from, you probably would not think of a small distillery in rural northern Sweden. Hernö Gin became the first Swedish gin distillery when it was founded in 2011 in the village of Dala, outside Härnösand, in the High Coast. Since then, it has received more awards than any other gin in Europe. Inspired by the surronding nature, Hernö Gin is made from organic botanicals, Swedish wheat and water from their own well.
Hernö Gin distillery can arrange guided tours in English if pre-booked (minimum 10 people). If you are in the capital, visit Hernö Gin Bar in Stockholm.
On the banks of the mighty Ångermanälven River, which flows through the High Coast, is the historic brick building that houses one of Sweden's northernmost whisky distilleries. High Coast Whisky's spirit is carefully crafted from quality ingredients and pure spring water from the nearby Lake Bålsjön. The area has large temperature differences between summer and winter, which contributes to the unique flavour development of this Swedish whisky.
On request, High Coast Whisky distillery can arrange whisky tastings and guided tours in English.
Situated in the Öresund strait that divides Sweden and Denmark, the island of Hven is home to a population of fewer than 400 people. It also houses the Spirit of Hven distillery, which became the third pot-still distillery in Sweden and the smallest of its kind in the world when it was founded in 2008. Since then, Spirit of Hven’s artisanal, organic brands of single malt whisky, vodka and gin have gained quite the reputation as top-quality tipples, making them well worth the trip to this remote island distillery.
The distillery offers guided tours and tastings. You can also stay overnight at their charming hotel village Backafallsbyn.
