Julbock Aquavit Vanilla and Fig
Seattle, Washington, United States
- ABV
- 40%
- Base spirit
- Unknown
- Color
- Unknown
- Style
- Barrel-Aged Aquavit
- Maturation
- Ex-Bourbon cask
Julbock Aquavit Vanilla and Fig was a seasonal barrel-aged aquavit produced by Old Ballard Liquor Co. in Seattle, Washington. It was introduced for the 2017 holiday season as a new addition to the distillery’s rotating range of Scandinavian-inspired aquavits.
The spirit was flavored with vanilla and fig and matured in used bourbon barrels sourced from two other Washington distilleries, 2bar Spirits and OOLA Distillery. Contemporary coverage described Julbock specifically as a vanilla-and-fig aquavit aged in these previously used bourbon casks, making barrel maturation a central part of the expression rather than simply a finishing detail.
Julbock was bottled at 40% ABV in 750 ml bottles. Like Old Ballard Liquor Co.’s other seasonal aquavits, it disappeared after the company ended distilling operations in 2018.
About the producer
Old Ballard Liquor Co.
Seattle, Washington, United States
Old Ballard Liquor Co. was a small distillery established in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, an area with longstanding Scandinavian cultural ties. The company opened in the summer of 2013 under its owner and distiller, known publicly as Lexi, and made aquavit the central part of its spirits program.
Rather than producing a single house aquavit, Old Ballard developed a broad range inspired by different Scandinavian styles and seasonal ingredients. Its principal expressions included the Norwegian-style Riktig, the citrus-led Älskar, and the dill-focused Midsommar, alongside limited releases such as spruce-tip, licorice, holiday-spice and cask-strength aquavits. The distillery’s production approach commonly began with a clear distilled aquavit base and, depending on the expression, could include further botanical infusion or wood treatment.
In 2016, the distillery expanded its Ballard premises with a Scandinavian café. Two years later, Old Ballard discontinued distilling and shifted the site toward a Nordic restaurant and bar concept. The business ultimately closed in February 2019, ending a roughly six-year period in which aquavit had been its defining product category.
