Aquavit aus dem Madeirafass
Lübbecke, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Aquavit aus dem Madeirafass is a limited-edition, Madeira-cask-finished aquavit that combines classic northern European caraway-based tradition with citrus notes derived from Italian lemons. It is handcrafted in a small distillery in Ostwestfalen, where the botanical profile-caraway, herbs, and lemon- forms the core character of the spirit.
For this edition, the aquavit is matured in a Madeira cask, which adds subtle sweetness, gentle wood tones, and additional depth to the existing herbal – citrus structure. The release was awarded Gold and “Best in Class – Kräuter” at the Berlin Craft Spirits Awards 2025. It is intended to be enjoyed neat, though it can also be used as a refined aromatic component in cocktails.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Varus Brennerei
Lübbecke, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Varus Brennerei (VARVS Distillery) is a young craft distillery based in Lübbecke, founded by Dr. Linus Haberbosch and Uwe Kölling, both originally from Ostwestfalen. The project was created with the intention of re-establishing a local distilling tradition that had vanished from the region.
Dr. Haberbosch contributes a scientific and medical background, with a focus on purity, ingredient quality, and precise formulation. Uwe Kölling adds long-standing experience in business management as well as a competitive sports background. Together, they developed the initial recipes and production approach that define the distillery.
The distillery works with natural ingredients, small-batch production, and a combination of traditional methods and modern techniques. Its portfolio includes spirits such as aquavit, herbal liqueurs, and fruit-based specialties. At the Craft Spirits Berlin Awards 2025, VARVS received multiple distinctions, including Gold and Best in Class for its limited Madeira-cask aquavit. Additional medals were awarded to other entries from the distillery. A separate liqueur created for Lübbecke’s 1250th anniversary, A.L.C. XIII, was awarded a DLG Gold medal with a top score of 100 points.
The Varus Brennerei positions itself as a regional craft producer with a clear focus on controlled raw materials, precise distillation, and contemporary interpretations of local spirit categories.
