What Does Aquavit Taste Like | AQUAVIT TASTE TEST

[@oantila]

At least in Norway Aquavit is mostly drank with fatty foods. Around christmas, with pork or lamb rib or lutefisk which believe it or not is dried cod treated in lye. Coctail tip: aquavit and tonic.. :)

[@andreasservan9545]

It's tradition to drink Aquavit / Akevitt for Christmas in Norway, with the Christmas dinner, which normally consists of really fat food (Ribbe/Pinnekjøtt/Lutefisk with bacon). The aquavit helps counter the fat, and cleanses the mouth. :D

[@TheHomeBartenderwithAnn]

I need a drink of water just watching you try these! Sometimes that ethanol come right through the nose upon first opening the bottle. I like that you tried for us! Great review. Cheers girl!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thanks, Ann!! It's definitely a little rugged... I can see how it probably takes some getting used to in order to fully appreciate it!

[@kasperpedersen3420]

In Denmark we rarely have Akvavit (or snaps as we also call it) on its own, but rather for our typical lunch table consisting of different versions of herring and cold cuts and parallel with beer, so if someone toasts in beer we all toast in beer, if he or she however lifts the snaps glass, that is what we all do. My dad will have it straight out of the freezer, I prefer it at room temperature especially the tastier ones.

[@dahlia5140]

Thanks for the review of these rare drinks.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

My pleasure!

[@UnclePete]

Aquavit rules. You're tasting the low shelf aquavits, so they are not the most amazing ones. But they replace gin pretty well, and cognac as you said, but also mezcal. They might take a little getting used to but totally worth it. cheers.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

These were the only two available at my local Total Wine. I’m definitely curious to try more, but I’d rather go try them at the source. Trip to Norway is in order ;)

[@UnclePete]

@@SavidgeKitchen Oh yeah Norway would be amazing. they have like a million different types over there, for every occasion. one day!

[@UnclePete]

@@SavidgeKitchen Oh and try a Japanese cocktail with Aquavit, it is mind blowing.

[@LiquidMemoir]

My boss would be proud of you tasting Aquavit. He’s from Norway I’ve been calling it Lee-nee. Also been calling the spirit Aqua-veet One of my first cocktail competitions was making a manhattan and used Aquavit as a modifier. There are some other interesting brands out there but hard to find.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

wow- a aquavit manhattan sounds really interesting!! Might have to give that a try- was the aquavit in place of the vermouth?

[@LiquidMemoir]

@@SavidgeKitchen I simply used the aquavit as a modifier to balance the whiskey and vermouth. I used amber vermouth back then. Can't remember the whole exact recipe right now. Going to have to do some digging lol

[@peterpatrician]

I absolutely adore the Linie original. The Occidental is an amazing cocktail! A Top 10 for sure!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Ohhh, I’ll have to try that! I have these two bottles now, and am not sure at all what to do with them!!

[@peterpatrician]

@@SavidgeKitchen I made a Martini riff of sorts the other day, with Amaro Nardini. I want to tweak it a tad, but it was good. I’ve also swapped the gin for Aquavit in an Army and Navy. Yum!

[@velling12]

Watching this after an Easter lunch where we drink lots of snaps. Greetings from Denmark

[@TheWeePearl]

Aquavit is such a great spirit. I really enjoy how savory it is. I’m most familiar with Linne. I really enjoyed this comparison! Cheers!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thank you! I've been seeing some really interesting recipes using it, so I'm excited to experiment a bit! Cheers :)

[@TheWeePearl]

@@SavidgeKitchen oh yes! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[@leeway3739]

I know this comment is on the late side, but if you wanted to try some other aquavits, my husband is Norwegian so he has to "say" his favorite aquavit is Linie but in private his favorite is actually an American aquavit from North Shore Distillery. You should be able to find it online, and it is such a good sipping aquavit. We keep it in the freezer so it is always chilled.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thank you for the tip!!! Tell your husband it will be our little secret - I won’t tell the Norwegians 🤫 😂

[@boozeontherocks]

Darn it. I cannot get Aquavit where i live. But your information was great. Loved it.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thanks so much, Dave!! And I'm really surprised by that... I wonder if Canada has it's own version 🤔

[@boozeontherocks]

@@SavidgeKitchen Its possible. But I can not find it listed in the province where I live,

[@heavilypeted]

@@boozeontherocks not sure where you are, bit I’m in western Canada and its not easy to find. Thankfully there a few brands available locally and I usually grab a bottle when I see one. Good luck with your search, hope you manage to find some!

[@henrikpersson4371]

aalborg akvavit is best coming from the freezer, the linie is also good from the freezer but goes better with room temp

[@TheTribalBarGuy]

This is one of your best videos so far. Maybe it is because it brought lots of nice memories, but that video was AMAZING. I am still trying to get me some aquavit, but I hope soon. Skål.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thanks so much, Peter! Glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you do get a bottle soon!!

[@drinkswithdan6776]

Think I might have to put that on the shelf 🤔 Also, here you go 🍦🤗 lol

[@SavidgeKitchen]

HAHAHA- thank you, I really really needed that. 🤗😂

[@kaiandreas1990]

Hi from Norway. I also prefer it cold. It is also good to drink beer with the aquavit, seperatly of course. And i drink it both on its own, or with meat and fish dishes.

[@CoachVinoLLC]

Aquavit is definitely a tough spirit to digest on its own. It’s actually quite good in a Bloody Mary (Danish Mary), if that’s your thing.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Oh, that's a super interesting idea! I'm not a fan of bloody marys, but this might be a great flavor to introduce! Thanks, Vino!!

[@zamarcha]

@@SavidgeKitchen Hey, a serious spirit taster trick is to dump in a little spash of fresh soft water (adding just to correct ABV from 45 to 37-41ish) to get it softly on it's own (the reduction will unveil some aromas too if you let it sit a bit). In some vodka countries, you even "split" your vodka with chilled water or buy very soft vodka (like 20-25% alcohol), which goes fine with meals. I recommand better the reduction to 37-41 tho, to retain a little bite and structure (plus the bite is part of the experience and enjoyment i think). Also to serve it out of fridge (room temperature is ok too when prefered, freezer role is to shot or to mask aromas when disliking or wanting more subtle fragmented experience with this type of spirit). Cocktails are also very fine with it. Take care

[@TheSpiritoftheCocktail]

This is an interesting video!!!! Ive never heard of this spirit. I can imagine this with some Cynar and a splash of cherry Heering...... THANKS!!!!!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

I think it might make for an interesting Campari substitute in a Negroni! And maybe also lend itself well to infusions... I’ve got some ideas!!

[@TheSpiritoftheCocktail]

@@SavidgeKitchen Yes, infusions. That's where I need to step it up....

[@pontussoderstrom5634]

You should try the Aalborg Jubileum Aquavit instead. Much smoother and easier to drink. Taffel is more of an acquired taste. Aquavit is not for sipping. You drink shots of it. Well cooled. With food for the most part. Goes well with herring or fatty food.

[@joakim2k10]

You should give Swedish aquavit a try as well. My personal favorites are O.P. Anderson and Hallands Flader. The latter one might be hard to find in the US. Otherwise Linie is a great example of a good quality aquavit.

[@FlourEggsYeast]

Excellent tasting Jessica!!! I feel like I haven’t seen a tasting in your office in awhile.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

It has been a little bit!! Chartreuse was the last one- in the middle of some big fun changes with Savidge Kitchen, so the next month or two will be a little wonky. But more to come!!

[@FlourEggsYeast]

@@SavidgeKitchen good luck!!!

[@dave1986R]

Speaking of Linie being aged at sea by traveling across the world and crossing the equator twice. I know that more people in the liquor business are trying that method. I know Jefferson Bourbon sells a blend of bourbon that is sea aged on what I believe to be fishing vessels. I think the aging process of the Linie brand may have influenced by that.

[@jenshauge8703]

Linie is great to use in a fabulous cocktail name “Fjellbekk” or mountain creek. Ad crust ice too the rims in a cocktail glass, 2 oz. Linus line wedge en filled up with sprite or 7up.

[@makebetterdrinks6375]

Thanks for the video! I have a bottle of Aalborg Aquavit but I haven't been able to find the Aquavit - I'd love to try it!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

It really was a fun tasting to do, and I’m enjoying the challenge of coming up with cocktails for them!

[@Community56sunshine]

If you're open to new experiences, I find it to be exquisite!

[@AngryCocktails]

Aquavit is quite hard to get in Australia but I'll have to try it at some point

[@SavidgeKitchen]

How funny that Linie has built its brand on the fact that they sail the spirit back and forth to Australia, yet you don’t have it in abundance there! 😂

[@tituslaronius]

Ooh, also, in Sweden, aquavit is also referred to as "brännvin" which basically means wine that burns

[@SavidgeKitchen]

“Wine that burns” is so perfectly accurate 😂 Thank you for that tip!

[@my1nzfe]

If you are after a cocktail fjellbekk(Mountainstream) are the drink for you.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thank you for the suggestion!!

[@ultra_axe7812]

In norway its very common to have a beer next to the aquavit

[@tomjensen618]

As mentioned Aalborg is drunk chilled. Drinking it room temperature misses the point. It is typically served with pickled Herring on ryebread.

[@NicholasFiennes]

You have to try this in a Gimlet, 50:50 split the gin. You must also make your own lime cordial.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Excellent suggestions!! Will do :) Any particular specs on the lime cordial?

[@NicholasFiennes]

@@SavidgeKitchen juice limes, put the juice in a bottle in the fridge. Weigh the husks, put in resealable plastic bag. Add equal weight white sugar. Leave 24-48 hours. Add the same weight of water. Shake and strain. Add 3grams citric acid per 100ml liquid. Voila - lime cordial. I’d start with eight limes.

[@christinecamley]

Sounds fabulous!!

[@Manhunt2299]

ok im danish and im 12 so i dont drink but ofc my dad does and he never drinks taffel og linie chilled but it is in his and my whole families opinon a morning bitter fro when your at a birthday or smth(ps: linie is more pronunced lin-ye well at least in Denmark)

[@StevetheBarmanUK]

Ha! I've had a bottle of Aquavit donated to me ages ago.... and it just sits there all lonely! Never know what to do with it!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

My friend, I think it’s time to dive in and find uses for this!!! I smell a challenge idea... 😂

[@heavilypeted]

Steve, I keep my Aquavit in the freezer and usually drink it straight. Linie works really well in a simple highball. I usually take 2oz of Linie, mix with ginger ale and add a squirt of fresh lime (I call it an AquaPete)..a really nice warm weather drink. Also works well in cold weather 👍

[@alexayoung9400]

In our house we drink Linie aquavit in our Bloody Marys. Just substitue half of the vodka for aquavit or replace the vodka with aquavit all together. When you do the second its a Bloody Viking instead!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

That sounds like the perfect application for this spirit!

[@Midgert89]

One commonality though, atleast in Sweden, is that they are always enjoyed ice-cold, bottoms up in an aquavit glass (5cl volume). I see you drank yours in a cognac cup, which isnt ideal since aquavit is not meant to be sipped.

[@TheSpiritoftheCocktail]

Yessssssssss! Yall know the rest.....

[@SavidgeKitchen]

TIM!!!! I live for you being first!!! 😂

[@TheSpiritoftheCocktail]

@@SavidgeKitchen Ha!!!!

[@FlourEggsYeast]

@@SavidgeKitchen ❤️🎉

[@cocktailtony9860]

Jessica you are great. Very informative.I don't think aquavit is for me. Cheers

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thanks so much, Tony!! And yes, the Aquavit is a little intense... if you prefer a sweet cocktail, this may not be for you! LOL!! Let's see what I can come up with ;)

[@ThSkBj]

Norwegians drink it with food. Just wanted to let you know. 🙂

[@alexnordh]

Taffel is table alright but not any furniture but a big buffe as in "all you can eat table".

[@SavidgeKitchen]

That’s so helpful! Thank you :)

[@torbenfalkengren5852]

Both are ofren used directly from the freezer or (best) from the fridge. Served in 2 or 4 cl. glasses and drunk like a shot. Skål!

[@vaffelgris]

It's pronounced "linye", not "linay". (If you know the IPA: [linʲə])

[@jeppepedersen7006]

Aalborg is the best!

[@henrikpersson4371]

and for me, akvavit is made from potatoes, not grain(then it is vodka) and it is a solanum(nigthshade)and does the whole differ in the way the "work", one of the best test btw thump up : ))

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@tituslaronius]

I two things to say First, nordic people don't sip, we shot. Second, Linie is the best one. Period. Taffel is good too.

[@terjesb8256]

Love the coment about karvey having a love child, it would be cummin and fennil. I find a lot of people dont now this but cummin is ground up karve :) :)

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Hah! Count me as one of those people- had no idea!

[@carl_busch]

Nice review but I will let you go ahead and let you try it for me.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

hahah- I'll take this one for the team!

[@johdow1943]

you should eat herring with it!

[@stevenorby9945]

I prefer the Aalborg Jubilæums Akvavit.

[@DrinkInDigital]

Savidge do you have heterochromia?? Maybe it's just the lighting... Anyway Linie was always the easiest sell in our last bar because of the ageing story, what a romantic process!

[@SavidgeKitchen]

I do indeed have heterochomia... and most people don’t even know what that word means, let alone notice it!! Good on you for calling me out 😂🤣 More Savidge Trivia: not only do I have eyes that are different colors from each other (complete heterochromia), one of them has a section of it that’s also different from the rest of that iris (sectoral heterochromia). I’m like the horse of many colors over here... 👀 And I couldn’t agree more about the process on the Linie- nothing beats a spirit with a good story!!

[@DrinkInDigital]

@@SavidgeKitchen It's so clear in the video, scrolled through the comments first to see if anyone else had picked up on it! Guess that means you've got an 'eye for detail' hahaha pardon the pun. A great Irish somm once told us that it's the story that sells the wine not the wine itself, which rings true with the way spirits tend to brand themselves now!

[@henrikpersson4371]

3 cl in a glass and down with it, no sipping hi hi : )

[@stevehazell1060]

The Linie Aquavit has caramel color added, which probably accounts for more of the golden hue than the sherry cask aging.

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Interesting!! I had no idea- thank you for sharing!

[@sunehinrichsen4323]

okay so taffel does not mean table, pretty sure it means truffel. Table in danish is bord

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Interesting- the Google translate came back with table… but not when you go the other direction 🤷‍♀️

[@torbenfalkengren5852]

Actually taffel is a Old word for bord (table)

[@benjaminmikladal]

It means potato if im not mistaken, you also get Taffel chips which is a decent indicator@@torbenfalkengren5852

[@FunkyVader]

Gammel Opland is best.

[@thomasschafer7268]

Apple and pears. Line is another Level. Aalborg is not drinkable.

[@Barcodum]

Aalborg always tasted like rancid Vodka to me whereas I can slug Linie off the bottle. And, what’s wrong with pickled herring?🤔

[@SavidgeKitchen]

Nothing is wrong with pickled herring... just takes some getting used to... LOL!

[@pjnix5618]

Taffel means “potato” in Danish.

[@AlxzAlec]

You’re not supposed to sip it.