Helsinki gets first distillery since Prohibition

A trio of friends have teamed up to open a new distillery in Helsinki, Finland – the first since Prohibition.

Three businessmen have opened the first distillery in Helsinki, Finland, in more than 100 years

The Helsinki Distillery Company – founded by Mikko Mykkänen, Seámus Holohan and Kai Kilpinen – has already produced approximately 600-700 litres of spirits in the last month.

From October, Alkos and bars will stock the distillery’s products, which include a gin and Calvados-style tipple.

However, the company plans to turn its focus to producing whisky and is selling 28 litre barrels for just over €2,000 excluding bottling costs and taxes.

“It takes three years to mature and we need to have something to offer meanwhile,” Holohan told the Helsinki Times.

The three businessmen have been interested in whisky for more than 10 years, but have only now decided to turn their hobby into a profitable business.

“Because a distillery would be too expensive to run as a hobby, we had to turn it into a business,” commented Kilpinen.

“We have city theatres and libraries, but no distillery. Of course a civilised city must also have a distillery.”

The group plans to introduce a bar with outdoor seating in time for next summer.