The Liquor That Travels Around The World To Age

When it comes to aging, climate matters

One of the essential aspects of aging spirits is to infuse the flavors of the barrel wood into the liquor. Ideally, a distillery should be located in a climate that allows the wood to "open up" effectively, facilitating better integration with the spirit. Humid and variable climates tend to achieve this more readily, resulting in shorter aging periods; this is one reason why American bourbon often has lower age statements compared to Scotch.

Linie recognizes this principle with their aquavit. The journey that their liquor undertakes exposes it to vastly different climates as it crosses the equator twice and navigates through parts of three oceans. These climatic variations enable the wood to breathe more, allowing for a richer infusion of flavor into the final product.

Interestingly, this entire process may have originated by chance. According to Linie, the Oslo-based distillery sent a batch of its product to India in 1805. Although much of the spirit was returned to Norway after it failed to gain popularity abroad, the journey to and from India seemed to enhance the flavor significantly, thus establishing a tradition of maritime aging that Linie continues to honor today.

What is aquavit, and how do you drink it?

Aquavit is certainly a lesser-known spirit on this side of the Atlantic. However, in various parts of Europe, it enjoys significant recognition and is especially cherished in different regions of Scandinavia. This spirit is a type of "eau de vie," which is reflected in its name, derived from "aqua vitae." While some brands of aquavit use a variety of ingredients, it is generally a neutral spirit infused with herbs like caraway, fennel, dill, and anise. These botanicals, combined with aging in wooden casks (sherry casks are quite common), impart a herbal, earthy flavor that is sure to warm you on chilly Nordic evenings.

When it comes to serving aquavit, some people enjoy it neat, much like aged añejo tequila. However, if sipping or shooting isn’t your preference, aquavit can also serve as a fantastic alternative to vodka in a bloody mary. Aquavit has even made its mark in a Disney theme park, with Linie's globally-inspired product featured in the Norway section of Epcot's World Showcase. Fortunately, aquavit is no longer as obscure and regionally confined as it once was, so unlike Linie's flagship spirit, you won’t need to embark on a lengthy journey across the ocean to find some.

Is this aging process unique to Linie?

With such an adventurous and innovative aging process, you may be curious if there are other aquavit distillers employing similar methods for their products. While Linie appears to be the sole aquavit maker leveraging its nearby coastline, a glance at other alcoholic beverages uncovers a few more participants in this maritime endeavor. For instance, the American bourbon producer Jefferson's has a range of bourbons and whiskeys that embark on journeys to age, akin to Linie's aquavit—complete with meticulous records of weather conditions and ports visited during each trip.

While these spirits undergo aging aboard their respective vessels, some winemakers also harness the ocean to enhance their aging process, albeit in a different manner than Linie and Jefferson's. Underwater aging is a captivating technique where wine producers submerge their products as they mature, benefiting from the relatively stable temperature and pressure of the ocean just off their country's coast. Although distinct from the seafaring adventures of certain aquavits and bourbons, it represents yet another inventive approach that alcohol producers are using to create unique and intriguing aged products.