Faer Isles Distillery North Atlantic Akvavit Ocean Truffle Akvavit Small Batch Faroe Islands 50 cl 43.4%

Out on the outer skerries of the Faroe Islands grows a seaweed that smells of truffle and tastes of the ocean itself. For a few weeks each year, when the aroma peaks, divers descend into the cold North Atlantic to pick it by hand. That is the raw, earthy core of this akvavit from Vestmanna.

The Expert's Description

Faer Isles Distillery North Atlantic Akvavit Ocean Truffle is an akvavit from the Faroe Islands bottled at 43.4% ABV.

The bottle comes from Faer Isles Distillery in Vestmanna, a small distillery in the middle of the North Atlantic founded in 2021 by, among others, Bogi Mouritsen and Dánial Hoydal. The distillery's philosophy is simple: whatever can be sourced locally on the islands should end up in the bottle, and this akvavit is no exception.

The defining botanical is Ocean Truffle, the Faroese name for the seaweed species Vertebrata lanosa. It grows attached to other seaweed along the coast and cannot be farmed or machine-harvested - only divers can find and pick it, and only during a short window around February and March, when its aroma peaks. Faer Isles is the only distillery in the world using Ocean Truffle in an akvavit, and one of just two spirits producers globally working with the plant at all. Because the amount of seaweed is limited by how much the divers can bring up from the cold water, the akvavit is made in small, limited batches.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Earthy and lightly saline, with a hint of mushroom and truffle mingling with cool sea air.

Palate

Full-bodied and umami-driven, where the fungal Ocean Truffle meets a touch of herbs and salt.

Finish

Long and dry, with a persistent mineral character reminiscent of seaweed dried in the sun.

Specifications

Name: Faer Isles Distillery North Atlantic Akvavit Ocean Truffle
Distillery: Faer Isles Distillery
Country: Faroe Islands
Type: Akvavit
ABV: 43.4%
Size: 50 CL
Serving suggestion: Serve ice-cold in a small glass, ideally alongside fish and shellfish

Flavour Profile

Ocean Truffle · Maritime · Umami · Mineral

Did You Know?

Ocean Truffle has to be found and picked by divers, because it grows attached to other seaweed and cannot be cultivated or harvested from land.

Frequently Asked Questions about Faer Isles Distillery North Atlantic Akvavit Ocean Truffle

What is Ocean Truffle?

Ocean Truffle is the Faroese name for the seaweed species Vertebrata lanosa, a rare red algae that grows on other seaweed and has an aroma reminiscent of black truffle.

Why is it called small batch?

Because Ocean Truffle can only be picked by divers in limited quantities during a short window each year, every batch of akvavit is made in small, limited runs.

When is Ocean Truffle harvested?

Its aroma peaks around February and March, when divers gather the seaweed from the cold waters around the Faroe Islands.

What does the akvavit taste like?

It is earthy and umami-driven, with a distinct maritime character and a long, mineral finish.

How should this akvavit be served?

Best served ice-cold in a small glass, ideally alongside fish and shellfish.

Is Faer Isles Distillery a new distillery?

Yes, the distillery in Vestmanna was founded in 2021 and uses exclusively Faroese ingredients in its spirits.

What makes this akvavit different from others?

It is the only akvavit in the world made with Ocean Truffle, and one of just two spirits globally that use the plant at all.

Are there other botanicals in the bottle besides Ocean Truffle?

Ocean Truffle is the defining botanical, but as with the distillery's other spirits, additional local Faroese ingredients feature in the recipe.