Norse Code Aquavit is a Scandinavian-inspired aquavit made with Canadian caraway, dill and wild Labrador tea foraged in Northern Ontario. The distillery describes it as a grain-to-glass spirit made with locally sourced ingredients.
The botanical profile is built around caraway and dill, with Labrador tea adding a local Northern Ontario ingredient. The official tasting notes list citrus, dill and caraway on the nose. On the palate, caraway and dill are accompanied by herbal notes and black pepper.
Norse Code is bottled at 40% ABV and is not barrel-aged. The distillery recommends serving it neat and well chilled, traditionally directly from the freezer. It is also used as a cocktail ingredient; Crosscut lists it in a drink combining Norse Code Aquavit, Earl Grey and orange liqueur, lime juice, bitters and tonic.
The name refers to Loki, the Norse god of mischief. The concept behind the name reflects the change in the spirit’s profile during a sip: the initial citrus and herbal character gives way to more pronounced caraway and dill.
The aquavit was introduced by Crosscut Distillery around 2020. A separate Barrel Aged Aquavit was later developed using the same basic botanical profile, but rested in an old whisky barrel.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Crosscut Distillery
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Crosscut Distillery is a craft distillery based in Sudbury, Ontario, founded by Shane Prodan and opened on April 4, 2018. It was the first distillery to open in Sudbury. Prodan converted a former machine shop into the distillery, creating a facility with production space, a tasting room and a retail area.
Today, Crosscut operates on Kelly Lake Road in Sudbury, where its production facility, retail shop and cocktail bar are located. Its portfolio includes vodka, gin, whisky, aquavit, liqueurs and other spirits.
Crosscut follows a grain-to-glass approach, with a focus on Northern Ontario ingredients. The distillery works with locally sourced grains and local or foraged botanicals where possible. Its aquavit range includes Norse Code Aquavit and a separate Barrel Aged Aquavit.
The name Crosscut reflects the Northern Ontario environment in which the distillery operates, particularly the region’s forestry and mining history. The company says its production is influenced by the small-batch pot-distilling tradition as well as the character and history of these two industries.
Crosscut has also participated in the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition. In 2021, four of its spirits received medals, while in 2023 the distillery reported seven awards at the same competition.
