32 | Scandinavia & Northern Europe Destination Guide
Ever since the 1500s, Scandinavian aquavit
has captured the purity of wild Nordic
beauty in a bottle. In its cleanest form, it is a
neutral, flavourless spirit distilled from grain
or potato, but infusions of botanicals — such
as caraway, dill, anise, fennel, coriander or
cardamom — transform it into a pleasing
elixir. It has long been believed that the spirit
is best matured in casks amid the motion and
temperature changes of a sea voyage.
Viking has celebrated the heritage of aquavit
for many years; we even named our shipboard
al fresco terrace after it. Now, accompanying
us on board, we are proud to have six casks
of our very own Viking aquavit, a distinctive
recipe first made in Bergen in 1818.
One of Norway's most iconic spirits is circumnavigating
the globe, and it is all in the name of good taste
e spirit
OF THE OCEAN
Our aquavit begins its journey in Nor way's
Atlungstad Distiller y. There, it spends six
months soaking and taking on sweet notes in
smooth Spanish oloroso sherr y casks. For its
ocean voyage, it is transferred to American
white oak casks, where subtle vanilla and
caramel flavours enhances its profile. Af ter
crossing many meridians and parallels, as well
as the world's legendar y water ways, Viking
aquavit ends its long journey to per fection
in Bergen. In keeping with the tradition of
our forebears, it will have crossed over 360
degrees of longitude and circumnavigated
the globe.
Why not visit the onboard Aquavit Terrace
and raise a glass to this journeying spirit?
