Bivrost Niflheim First Release Arctic Single Malt Norwegian Whisky 50 cl 46%

At 69 degrees north, the Lyngen Alps rise out of the Arctic Ocean like a wall of snow and granite. Beneath them runs a network of tunnels, blasted into the rock by NATO during the Cold War. Down there, in the dark, the casks quietly do their work. This is where the world's northernmost whisky is made.

The Expert's Description

Bivrost Niflheim First Release is an Arctic Single Malt Whisky from Aurora Spirit Distillery in Norway, matured in virgin oak casks and 1st fill bourbon casks, finished in ex-Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 46%.

This is the very first whisky ever released by Aurora Spirit Distillery at Lyngseidet, north of Tromsø. It opens the Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series, in which every release takes its name from one of the nine realms of Norse mythology. Niflheim is the world of mist, the home of cold, darkness and ice, and it is hard to imagine a better name for a whisky matured above the Arctic Circle. The release sold out from the distillery long ago and now surfaces almost exclusively at auction and with specialist retailers.

The barley is Nordic, the Planet and Popino varieties, malted as Pilsner malt at Viking Malt in Finland. No peat smoke anywhere in this one. The wash comes from the Mack brewery in Tromsø, and the water is drawn from Elvejordvannet, fed by glacial meltwater off the Lyngen Alps. The spirit runs three times through the distillery's combined copper pot and column still, each run taking eight to ten hours, with the heart collected at roughly 75%.

The cask history runs in three stages, in this order: the spirit began life in 50 litre virgin oak casks, moved into 190 litre 1st fill bourbon barrels, and finally spent its last stretch finished in 250 litre ex-Oloroso sherry casks. The small casks are a deliberate choice, because Arctic cold slows maturation down and more wood per litre makes up the difference. The result tastes considerably older than three years. Virgin oak brings vanilla and spice, the bourbon cask contributes honey and coconut, and the Oloroso cask layers dried fruit and nuts over the top. Distilled in 2016, bottled in 2020, 1,622 bottles in total.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Juicy dried fruit leads the way. Raisins, sultanas, figs and dried cherries, followed by caramelised peanuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Black pepper sits underneath it all, and given time in the glass a big malty note comes through, something close to toasted malt loaf with hazelnut spread. Honey and beeswax in the background.

Palate

Medium bodied and spicier than the nose suggests. Black pepper takes the lead, balanced by oak sweetness and dried fruit from the sherry cask. There is something warm and woody about it, like shavings on a wood burner, with clear clove and vanilla. Dry in character without ever turning tight.

Finish

Long and sweet with spice in the tail. Caramel, oak and vanilla spread out, leaving behind a lightly earthy malt note and a hint of chocolate. Chewy and juicy in the mouth, which is unusual for a whisky this young.

Specifications

Name: Bivrost Niflheim First Release Arctic Single Malt Norwegian Whisky
Distillery: Aurora Spirit Distillery
Region/Country: Lyngseidet Norway
Type: Arctic Single Malt Whisky
Age: 3 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: Virgin oak casks, 1st fill bourbon casks and finished in ex-Oloroso sherry casks
Distillation method: Triple distilled
Distilled: 2016
Bottled: 2020
Number of bottles: 1,622
Edition: First Release, Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology
EAN no.: 7090040060396

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Sherry-matured · Spicy · Nutty · Sweet

Investment Potential

High. The first ever release from the world's northernmost distillery, just 1,622 bottles, and it has risen sharply in value since leaving the shelves in 2020. First releases from a distillery that later attracted international attention tend to become very hard to find.

Did You Know?

The whole distillery exists because a group of friends went on a trip to Islay. They came home to northern Norway with the idea that if the Scots could make whisky on a windswept island in the Atlantic, you could just as well make it under the northern lights. Nine years later the first bottle of Niflheim was ready.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bivrost Niflheim First Release

What does Bivrost Niflheim taste like?

Fruity, nutty and spicy. The nose is full of dried fruit and roasted nuts, the palate leans towards black pepper and vanilla, and the finish is long and sweet with caramel and oak. It tastes noticeably older than its three years, because small casks and Arctic cold work differently than they do in Scotland.

Is Bivrost Niflheim worth it?

For a collector, yes. It is the first whisky ever released by the world's northernmost distillery, it exists in 1,622 bottles, and it is discontinued. Three cask types and a production story documented right down to the yeast strain also make it interesting on its own terms, not just as a shelf piece.

Is Bivrost Niflheim a peated whisky?

No. The barley is malted as Pilsner malt without peat smoke, so there is no smoke in it. Aurora Spirit saved the smoky style for Muspelheim, the third release in the Nine Worlds series. Niflheim stays sweet, spicy and fruity throughout.

Which glass suits Bivrost Niflheim best?

A tulip shaped glass such as a Glencairn. This whisky has a nose that opens slowly, and a narrow rim gathers the dried fruit and nuts instead of letting them escape. Browse our selection of Whisky Glasses.

How should a bottle like Bivrost Niflheim be stored?

Upright, dark and cool. Whisky should never be laid down, because the alcohol breaks the cork apart over time. Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight and away from big temperature swings, and leave the box on. The box protects the label, and for a collector's bottle the original packaging counts for a lot.

Does Bivrost Niflheim make a good gift?

Yes, if the recipient collects or cares about the story behind a bottle rather than only what is in the glass. This one comes with a proper tale: first release, Norse mythology, maturation in old NATO tunnels above the Arctic Circle. For someone who simply wants something good on a Friday evening, there are more obvious choices.

What do the names Bivrost and Niflheim mean?

Bivrost is the Old Norse word for the rainbow bridge between the world of men and the world of the gods, and it was also the Vikings' name for the northern lights. Niflheim means the world of mist, the Norse realm of cold, darkness and ice. The same universe runs through the distillery's other products, among them Bivrost Arctic Gin.