Ursa Major Oak-Finished AKavit
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
- ABV
- 40%
- Base spirit
- Cane Sugar
- Color
- Pale Gold
- Style
- Barrel-Aged Aquavit
Ursa Major Oak-Finished AKavit is a limited-edition variation of the distillery’s core Alaskan AKavit, released on January 20, 2024. For this special run, the spirit was rested in an oak barrel, softening the profile and shifting the balance away from the anise-forward character found in the standard expression.
The oak influence adds gentle richness, rounding the botanicals while preserving the underlying caraway and dill notes. The distillery describes the result as exceptionally smooth, well-suited to sipping neat.
Fewer than 100 bottles were produced, available exclusively at the Ursa Major tasting room.
About the producer
Ursa Major Distilling
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Ursa Major Distilling began in Fairbanks in 2012, when self-taught distiller Rob Borland started producing spirits. The company released its first vodka in 2013, followed by gin and rum, and later added AKavit to its range. Ursa Major describes itself as the first distillery in Fairbanks and the third established in Alaska. Its retail outlet and tasting room opened in the Greater Ester Industrial Area in 2015.
The distillery operates at 2922 Parks Highway in Fairbanks and remains a small family-run producer of AKavit, vodka, gin, rum, barrel-aged spirits and canned cocktails. Alaska licensing records identify Big Bear Enterprises LLC as the business behind Ursa Major Distilling, while federal permit records also connect the operation with Rob Borland.
AKavit has become one of the distillery’s regular spirits and remains in its current range. Ursa Major is also described by Alaska tourism sources as Fairbanks’ first legal distillery.