Bruinwood Estate Akvavit
Roberts Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Bruinwood Estate Akvavit is a Scandinavian-style aquavit produced by Bruinwood Estate Distillery in Roberts Creek, British Columbia. The distillery describes it as being based on early Scandinavian recipes, with caraway, anise, dill and citrus as the main flavouring components. It is a clear spirit with an alcohol content of 40% ABV.
The aroma is described as earthy caraway, dill and fennel, with a savoury herbal character. On the palate, caraway and dill remain prominent, accompanied by anise and citrus. The finish is described as complex and herbaceous, with caraway and dill continuing through the finish.
Bruinwood recommends serving the Akvavit simply over ice or with a splash of water. A tasting note published by BC Spirits suggests serving it at room temperature, with Scandinavian rye bread as a possible pairing.
The distillery has also published its own Akvavit cocktail recipe. In the Coastal Sunrise, 1 oz of Akvavit is combined with grapefruit juice, brown sugar and sparkling wine.
Bruinwood Estate Akvavit has appeared in the distillery’s lineup at different times, but its availability has not been consistent.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Bruinwood Estate Distillery
Roberts Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Bruinwood Estate Distillery is a small farm-gate distillery located at 2040 Porter Road in Roberts Creek, British Columbia, on the Sunshine Coast. The business was established in 2018 by proprietors Jeff Barringer and Danise Lofstrom on their five-acre property, which also contains an apiary.
The idea for the distillery dates back to the late 1990s, when Barringer and Lofstrom were working as television producers on BC Wine Cellar. During a visit to Nichol Vineyards on the Naramata Bench, vineyard owner Alex Nichol discussed the possibility of European-style distilling developing alongside British Columbia’s emerging farm-gate wine industry. The idea remained dormant for several years before the couple eventually decided to pursue it. According to Bruinwood, they then spent approximately two and a half years rezoning the property, obtaining provincial and federal licences, constructing the distillery and learning the practical aspects of spirit production.
Bruinwood describes its operation as a family business focused on small-batch spirits. An early profile of the distillery described its spirits as being made from 100% B.C. grains, fruits and honey, together with botanicals sourced from around the world.
Over the years, the distillery’s range has included vodka, gin, aquavit, rye-based spirits, liqueurs and other specialty products. Products documented in its lineup include Aquasen Vodka, Chocolate Vodka, Espresso Vodka, several gin expressions, Advocaat, Akvavit, White Apple Rye Spirit, Nucino and various fruit and cream liqueurs.
Bruinwood gained recognition in Canadian craft-spirit competitions early in its history. At the 2020 Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition, its K’Neko honey spirit received Gold in Excellence in Terroir, while its Chocolate Vodka, Blackcurrant Gin and Advocaat received Silver medals. Its Gin, Espresso Vodka and Black Walnut Nucino received Bronze medals. The distillery’s Advocaat had previously received the Audience Choice award for Best Liqueur at the 2019 BC Distilled festival.
The distillery operates a tasting room at its Roberts Creek property, where visitors can sample and purchase its spirits.