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Aurora Spirit Distillery

Distillery
Lyngseidet, Norway

Whiskies (24)

24 Aurora Spirit Distillery whiskies are currently listed on Whiskybase.

About Aurora Spirit Distillery

Aurora Spirit - The Worlds Northernmost Whisky Distillery. 
Located at 69° north, on the shore of the Lyngen fjord, and under the majestic Lyngen Alps mountain range in Northern Norway, the prize winning distillery attracts international attention with its spectacular location and Arctic production. Aurora Spirit handcrafts some of the purest drinks in the world under the glow of the Northern Lights - the Auroras.






History
The planning of the world’s northernmost distillery started in spring 2015, and equipment was ordered shortly thereafter. Located on the grounds of a decommissioned Cold War-era NATO base (Årøybukt Fort), the foundations were laid in December that same year. Thanks to the collective efforts of competent consultants, architects, entrepreneurs, Innovation Norway and a very helpful Lyngen municipality, the world’s northernmost distillery opened in the summer of 2016. Since then - although first and foremost a whisky distillery - Aurora Spirit has been producing Arctic whiskies, gins, aquavits, vodka and a selection of liqueurs under the brand name Bivrost. In addition to the Bivrost range there have also been several separate releases, as well as private labels produced.






Production and innovation
The purity of Aurora spirits is possible primarily because of the distillerys supply of glacial water provided by several ancient glaciers high in the Lyngen Alps. Of course, the malted barley is also of the highest quality, grown in Norway. 



Maturation takes place in a Viking style longhouse. The warehouse has no heat-regulation, and the distillery relies on ancient viking technology to ensure a stable temperature all year, allowing the whisky to mature in a controlled environment. Due to the harsh climate of Arctic Norway, the average temperature in the Viking warehouse is only 0,6 degrees Celsius.



In 2019 the distiller initiated a research project to create a 100% pure Arctic whisky, with all three ingredients (the barley, the yeast and the water) all sourced from within the Arctic circle. Barley can withstand the harsh climate in Arctic Norway, but historically it has only been grown for animal and human food. The project is a collaboration with local farmers in Northern Norway, research expertise from The Arctic University of Norway, Holt research farm and expertise from the Scottish Whisky Industry.



As of 2024 the project is ongoing, but the first spirit made from regionally, arctic grown Heder barley has already passed its required maturation-time of the full three years plus one day - and as such the first 100% Arctic whisky is already a reality. 






The Bivrost brand
Bivrost is an ancient portmanteau of the norse words Biv, which means “Shaking”, and Rost, which means “Road” or “Path”. The literal translation of Bivrost is "shaking path", and it is considered to be the Viking word for describing the Northern Lights. 






Visitor center & accomodations
The distillery has a visitor center where guests can enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding Arctic landscapes while learning about Arctic culture and, of course, the ins and outs of making whisky under the Northern Lights at 69° north. The opening hours varies seasonally, but several different tour options are available all year long, from the one hour Arctic Whisky Experience to a Founders Experience with the distillerys CEO. 



It is also possible to stay at the distillery grounds in self catering cabins located literally on the shore of the Lyngen fjord. These self catering cabins are located next to the distillery, and have instant access to nature and hiking trails. 

Norway (Lyngen, Troms og Finnmark – Arctic Circle)

Country Norway
Production Type Craft Arctic whisky and spirits production (whisky, gin, aquavit, vodka)
Brands Produced Here Bivrost Arctic Single Malt, Bivrost Gin, Bivrost Aquavit, Bivrost Vodka

Distillery Details

Capacity .04 MLPA
Water Source Glacier water from the Lyngen Alps
Grain Type Nordic and Arctic barley varieties
Distillation Type Copper pot stil
Whisky Produced Bivrost Arctic Single Malt (Yggdrasil, Nine Worlds series, limited cask finishes), plus gin, aquavit, and vodka
Maltings on Site No
Number of Mash Tuns Not specified
Mash Tun Capacity Not specified
Mash Tun Material Not specified
Mash Tun Type Not specified
Wash Still Material Copper
Wash Still Shape Traditional pot still
Spirit Stills Material Copper
Spirit Stills Shape Traditional pot still
Spirit Still Type Pot still
Condensors Yes
Maturation on Site? Yes
Cooperage on Site? No
Warehouse Type Underground NATO bunkers and Viking longhouse warehouses
Warehouses On-site
Bottling on Site Yes

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KVK: 60207205
VAT: NL853809112B01