Malteserkreuz Aquavit Vintage Bottle 1 Danisco Danish Akvavit 70 cl 43%

Berlin, the 1920s. The city's finest hotels wanted the real Aalborg Akvavit, but German customs made it nearly impossible to import. So a distillery was built and the drink was brewed locally, faithful to the original Danish recipe.

Expert Description

Malteserkreuz Aquavit is a German-produced Akvavit made to an original Danish recipe and bottled at 43%.

The story begins on 18 February 1924, when the first bottle left the factory in Berlin. The reason was thoroughly bureaucratic: customs and import restrictions in the 1920s made it almost impossible to bring the popular Aalborg Taffel Akvavit into Germany, so De Danske Spritfabrikker decided to brew a faithful copy locally in Berlin instead. The recipe followed the original closely, and the very first bottles were hand-labelled, wrapped in white silk paper and shipped in wooden crates to Berlin's most prestigious hotels, the Adlon and the Eden.

This particular bottle comes from an earlier production era than the Akvavit sold today. Modern Malteserkreuz is bottled at 40%, while this edition is bottled at 43% and carries the name Danisco De Danske Spritfabrikker Berlin GmbH on the label. The alcohol is extra-finely filtered and flavoured with caraway and dill in the classic style, where the spices infuse the spirit rather than being distilled together with it.

As a collector's bottle, it should be judged on its age and condition rather than treated as a drink ready for the table. Cork, seal and fill level should be checked carefully before use, and drinkability cannot be guaranteed on a bottle of this age.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The brand's classic profile offers a distinct, spicy caraway note with a hint of dill and a light sweetness underneath.

Palate

Soft and rounded on the palate, where caraway and dill again take the lead, backed by a fine spiced warmth from the alcohol.

Finish

Dry and clean, closing with a touch of citrus typical of the style.

Specifications

Name: Malteserkreuz Aquavit
Producer: Danisco De Danske Spritfabrikker, Berlin
Country: Germany (Danish recipe)
Type: Akvavit
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: No
Serving suggestion: Traditionally served ice-cold, ideally kept in the freezer and drunk from tall, slim-stemmed glasses

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Caraway-forward · Citrus-fresh · Classic

Did You Know?

The very first bottles of Malteserkreuz left the factory hand-labelled and wrapped in white silk paper, ready to be served at Berlin's two most fashionable hotels of the 1920s, the Adlon and the Eden.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malteserkreuz Aquavit

Can this bottle of Malteserkreuz Aquavit still be drunk?

Drinkability cannot be guaranteed on a bottle of this age. Fill level, cork and seal should be checked carefully, and the bottle is sold primarily as a collector's item rather than a drink ready for the table.

What makes this bottle a collector's item?

It comes from an earlier production era and is bottled at 43%, while Malteserkreuz is sold at 40% today. The label also carries the older company name Danisco De Danske Spritfabrikker Berlin GmbH.

Why is it called Malteserkreuz and not Aalborg?

Because customs and import rules in the 1920s made it almost impossible to ship the real Aalborg Akvavit into Germany. The solution was to brew a faithful copy locally in Berlin under a new name.

Is Malteserkreuz Aquavit Danish or German?

Both. The recipe is originally Danish and follows Aalborg Taffel Akvavit, but production has historically taken place in Germany, first in Berlin from 1924.

What does Malteserkreuz Aquavit taste like?

The brand's signature is a distinct caraway flavour with dill and a light citrus note in the finish. The style is classic Scandinavian Akvavit, mild and spiced rather than sharp.

How should this type of Akvavit be stored?

Dark, cool and upright, to keep the cork from drying out. Avoid temperature swings and direct sunlight, which can affect both the label and the contents over time.

How is Akvavit traditionally served?

Ice-cold, ideally kept in the freezer down to around -18 degrees, and drunk from tall, slim-stemmed schnapps glasses that keep the hand from warming the drink.