Olsen Aquavit

Wiegand Manufactur Weimar is a small family-run spirits producer based in Weimar, Thuringia, founded in 2011 by Matthias Wiegand. The company specialises in handcrafted organic spirits and follows the motto “Less is more”, producing on a small 150-litre still rather than on an industrial scale.

The distillery works exclusively with organic ingredients and develops its recipes in-house, drawing partly on historical distilling literature, including an 18th-century book dating from 1732. Its range includes Lyonel Dry Gin, Lyonel Barrel Aged Gin, Heimatlikör herbal and berry liqueurs, Henry Organic Whisky and Aquavit Olsen.

Aquavit Olsen is distilled from caraway and dill seeds and bottled at 41% ABV. The wider range also includes a 50% London Dry-style gin and an organic whisky made from malted wheat, malted rye and emmer. Production is carried out by hand in multiple stages, with the company emphasising small-batch methods and certified organic raw materials.

Wiegand Manufactur operates from Jakobstraße 33 in central Weimar and is open to visitors. The distillery offers tastings that include an introduction to gin production, maceration, botanicals and distillation, as well as direct sales from the manufactory.