Nuet Aquavit gains UK listings

Norwegian aquavit brand Nuet has secured listings with retailers The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt.

Nuet is described as a “modern take on the quintessentially Scandinavian aquavit”

The aquavit, which launched last year, has now moved closer to its goal of expanding globally with the new listings.

Founder Morten Pharo Halle said: “We are delighted to finally be able to offer our truly unique product to discerning spirits fans all around the world. We are a small company who still does everything by hand, so a lot of love and hard work goes into each bottle.

“Everything from washing, filling, labelling and packing is done by a group of friends and colleagues who volunteer, so we’re incredibly proud of the fact that we can now share the end product with virtually everyone.”

Following more than 100 rounds of distilling, Nuet Aquavit was produced in mid-2019. The expression, which is described as a substitute for premium gin, is made with Norwegian potatoes from Hoff.

“In 2017 we observed with interest how the gin market became more and more saturated, and how local spirits grew in popularity around the world,” said product developer Benjamin Lee.

“So we thought it was a real shame that something like aquavit, which is so dear to us Scandis, remained a Scandinavian novelty, enjoyed only here, and only during celebrations like Christmas and midsommar.

“It was obvious to us that the potential that aquavit as a spirit had was huge, but it remained untapped due to a variety of reasons. It needed an update, so that’s exactly what we gave it.”

The “modern” aquavit is said to have notes of grapefruit and blackcurrant, as well as the traditional caraway.

Bottled at 43% ABV, Nuet Aquavit is priced at £41.95 (US$51.60) per 700ml bottle.

For an in-depth look at the aquavit category and the rise of new producers, click here.

In November last year, the European Commission recognised Norwegian aquavit as a geographical indication (GI).