Aurora Spirit Distillery crafts premium, sustainable spirits above the Arctic Circle

Alcohol production in Europe has significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and waste generation. These impacts stem from various stages of production, from agricultural inputs to packaging and transportation.

At the same time, the European market for premium alcoholic beverages is thriving, driven by a growing preference for high-quality, unique and artisanal products. One key trend is the rise of craft spirits, particularly gin and whisky.

Therefore, producers of high-end spirits have an obligation to reduce their ecofootprint while maintaining world-class quality. This is why Aurora Spirit Distillery incorporates sustainability into all its operations.

Aurora Spirit Distillery handcrafts premium Bivrost® spirits in a remote, pristine location above the Arctic Circle. At the foot of the Lyngen Alps in North Norway, melting water from glaciers is purified and combined with local wash from Arctic barley to a ensure a product that is uniquely Nordic.

The collection of Bivrost® spirits began with gin and now includes aquavit, vodka and whisky. The company’s core product is Yggdrasil Single Malt Whisky. Released every year, the whisky is made from malted Arctic barley, glacial meltwater and a complex fermentation process.

All the whiskies are aged in different types of casks, within a wooden Viking longhouse a few metres from the sea. The temperature and humidity in the storage facilities are ideal, with good temperature variation throughout the year.

Moreover, the distillery offers guided tours with tasting and accommodation with local cuisine at a breathtaking site between mountain and sea.

Aurora Spirit Distillery aims to set a new standard for sustainable distilling in extreme conditions, combining clean energy, local sourcing and low-impact tourism.

The distillery produces its spirits using 100 per cent renewable local hydropower and an energy-efficient one-shot distillation method. It recycles the wastewater from distillation to heat the brewhouse, clean equipment and heat buildings, reducing energy use and thermal pollution.

In addition, the distillery reduces emissions by reusing and refurbishing casks, growing some of its own barley and working with local suppliers.

It also uses natural, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, such as Arctic berries and botanicals, Arctic-grown barley and Norwegian yeast strains. These are not only sustainable but also imbue the spirits with unique Nordic qualities.

Demand for premium, craft and sustainable spirits is rising. The global premium spirits market size was estimated at USD 215.47 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7 per cent from 2024 to 2030.

Aurora Spirit Distillery targets quality-conscious consumers and travellers. Its main markets are Germany, Norway and the UK, as well as various countries in Asia.

The distillery has won multiple awards in recent years, including a gold medal at the World Whiskies Awards in the “single malt – no age statement” category in 2023.