Touring A Danish Spirits Factory
Sample Scandinavian akvavit and herbal bitters at the source.
Tour Danish Distiller's factory in Aalborg, Denmark to learn how akvavit and Gammel Dansk, an herbal aperitif, is made.
Aalborg Akvavit is a strong alcohol distilled from grain. Danish Distillers, the makers of Aalborg Akvavit since 1881, claim to be Scandinavia’s largest spirits producer and distiller. Danish Distillers also makes Gammel Dansk, an herbal aperitif made of a secret concoction of herbs and spices from all over the world. Gammel Dansk is rumored to have medicinal properties. Akvavit is often served with fish dishes, while Gammel Dansk is often drink before the meal to stimulate the appetite. Akvavit and Gammel Dansk drinkers either toss a shot down the hatch or sip it slowly, like a fine whisky
Visiting Danish Distillers
The distillery in Aalborg arranges guided tours of the factory by appointment. A guided tour lasts two hours and consists of a presentation of the company, a tour of the production facility, a visit to the aquavit museum and the opportunity to sample products and make purchases in the shop.Visits by groups can be arranged with the tour guide on by email at Guide.VS.Aalborg@distillers.dk. Aalborg is in Jutland, in northern Denmark. From Arhus, Aalborg is about 1.5 hours by train, from Copenhagen about 5 hours by express bus.
In October 2007, the company is planning to open an on-site visitor center, where anyone can take guided tours of the distillery and indulge in tastings of up to 17 varieties of akvavits and bitters. There will also be a factory shop where visitors can buy Danish Distillers brand items, along with rare varieties of the company's liquors that cannot be found elsewhere.
According to the company’s press release, "there is a growing awareness of the importance of preserving and telling about old trades. Therefore, it is natural for us to provide the opportunity of looking into the unique Danish tradition of aquavit and its history going back several hundred years."
