Iceland’s Brennivín: The Essence of Icelandic Culture

When thinking about Iceland, you will naturally think of its dramatic scenery. It is awe-inspiring, untouched, pristine, and unique. At every turn, you meet raw beauty that few other places can rival.

On the other hand, there is the ruggedness, the harshness of extreme cold, and vast stretches of barren land. Powerful natural elements, including howling winds, rushing rivers, and erupting volcanoes, characterize those lands. And yet, the Icelandic people produce wonderful things out of all that. Iceland’s Brennivín is one of those things.

Brennivín, just like Iceland, is unique. The people of Iceland craft this spirit by combining pure, natural water with other ingredients and distilling it to create a crisp, somewhat harsh liquor. It is as if they bottled Iceland itself, which is why it is our choice for the January libation of the month.

What is this Icelandic beverage?

Brennivín is a type of aquavit (a distilled liquor primarily produced in Scandinavian countries) that is distinctly Icelandic. Many consider it Iceland’s signature distilled beverage. Brennivín is a clear, distilled herbal spirit often described as having notes of fresh rye bread. It has a subtle sweetness that is blended with Icelandic water. It is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and is not for the faint of heart.

There is more to this drink than many would think. The word “brennivín” means “burning wine,” and it is rightfully named. It comes from the same root as brandy, namely brandewijn, which is Dutch.

A variation of the same word is used in other North Germanic languages. In Swedish, the liquor is referred to as “brännvin,” in Danish as “brændevin,” in Norwegian as “brennevin,” and in Faroese as “brennivín.”

Brennivín was first introduced in 1935 when prohibition in Iceland was partially lifted. They chose the product’s classic white-and-black label to make it appear unappealing and ultimately limit demand. The label had the opposite effect, as Brennivín quickly became a popular drink. Today, the Brennivín label is a well-known symbol for Iceland’s signature drink and of Iceland itself.

Some Brennivín History

In 1262, Icelanders became subjects of the King of Norway. In 1397, the Kalmar Union, which united the Nordic countries, placed Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands under the Danish crown. Beer could not easily survive the long ocean journey, but malt and honey were still freely traded between Scandinavia and Iceland. Icelanders produced mead and beer, but in 1602, the Danish King established a trade monopoly, the “Einokunarverslun,” in Iceland.

As a result, only special Danish merchants could trade with Iceland, and the Icelandic people could not deal with anyone else. Spirits did not occupy much of the valuable space on ships like mead, beer, honey, and malt. They also didn’t spoil and could be sold at a much higher price.

Improving the flavor

Distillation techniques of the time (known as “burning”) often produced spirits that were not palatable (known as “burnt wine” or “brann-vin”). To enhance flavor, people would infuse spirits with herbs. Caraway was available even in Iceland’s harsh climate and used to flavor the shipments of spirits from Denmark. This is how Brennivin Aquavit was born.

The trade monopoly ended in 1786. Thirty years later, modern distillation techniques arrived in Scandinavia. By then, the taste for various aquavits had well established itself in the Nordic countries. Most preferred them flavored with herbs over cleaner available spirits. Although the trade monopoly ended, the Danish Distilling Company maintained a monopoly on distillation in Denmark and its territories, including Iceland.

Prohibition Comes to Iceland

Icelanders were not allowed to distill their own spirits. In 1908, Iceland held a referendum to prohibit alcohol, which passed. In 1912, all alcohol imports were halted, and there was no more beer, wine, or distilled spirits. Icelanders were required to consume or destroy all remaining alcoholic beverages by 1915.

In 1918, Iceland regained its independence from Denmark. Without prohibition, the Danish monopoly on distillation would no longer apply. Prohibition was partially repealed in 1935. The newly independent government would control the production, distribution, and sale of beer. Beer remained illegal until March 1, 1989.

Since the Danish Distilling Company no longer controlled the Icelanders, they were free to produce whatever they desired. The Icelandic government established the State Alcohol Company of Iceland, known as the “AVR,” which continues to operate today as the “ATVR.” One of the few spirits the AVR decided to produce was Brennivín flavored with caraway.

The Herbs and the Process

Brennivín is distilled from fermented grain mash. It combines with Iceland’s pure, delicate water, which has a high PH level (8.4), and is then flavored only with caraway. Steeping herbs in alcohol to create schnapps is a long-held folk tradition in Nordic countries. Brennivín remains the traditional drink for the midwinter feast of Þorrablót.

In stark contrast to the colorful labels of French and Italian spirits of the time, the Icelandic government demanded a black-and-white label for the newly legalized spirit. The green bottle initially displayed a white skull on the black label to warn against consumption, but it was later replaced by a map of Iceland and a clear bottle. This is why it was sometimes referred to as “svarti dauði” (the Black Death). The goal was to make the product visually unappealing and limit demand, but they failed to achieve it. Brennivín became the drink of choice for Icelanders for decades and a prized souvenir for travelers. In 2014, it finally became legal to import into America. The herbal spirit known as Brennivín had almost become a symbol of Iceland itself by then.

Other versions are made with rye or aged in different barrels, like sherry casks. However, the original always seems to be the favorite. Sometimes, there is no need to mess with a classic. Several other Icelandic distilleries produce brennivín brands with distinctive characteristics.

What is the Caraway Herb?

Caraway seeds, also known as Persian cumin, are highly aromatic and have a distinctive, mild anise flavor that adds a subtle licorice note to many dishes. People often describe the taste as earthy, with a hint of citrus and a touch of pepper. Caraway’s distinctive licorice-like flavor is due to anethole, which you will find in black licorice. They are rich in antioxidants and often support digestive health.

The wildflower caraway thrives in Iceland and is valued for its tasty seeds. The Caraway Seeds are grown on Viðey Island, a small island not far from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. They are sweeter and have a more distinctive taste than the caraway seeds people usually buy. This makes them especially suitable for baking and for adding to hot beverages, such as coffee or hot chocolate. The Caraway seeds used in 64° Brennivín are primarily sourced from Viðey; this version also includes angelica seeds. Some versions of Brennivin use Wormwood.

Licorice anyone?

Those who visit Iceland will quickly learn that their favorite alcoholic drink is Brennivin. You will soon notice a pattern from the airport duty-free to every candy shop. Much of their candy contains licorice. Chocolate-covered licorice, sugar-coated licorice, licorice pellets, soft licorice, toffee licorice, and hard candy-flavored licorice are only a few options. The question lies: did the love of licorice candy come before or after the licorice-flavored spirit?

How Best to Experience Brennivín

Today, Icelanders typically drink Brennivín chilled, often directly from the freezer. Many also enjoy it as a shot, with a beer, or as a base for cocktails. It usually replaces gin in classic cocktails or lighter rum in tropical drinks.

Joelle’s first introduction to Brennivin was during a meal at the Apothecary Restaurant in Reykjavik. She chose a multi-course Icelandic-themed menu that commenced with a shot of Brennivin. Not the usual introduction, but when in Iceland…..

It is also the traditional accompaniment to the uniquely Icelandic hákarl, fermented shark meat.

We want to try a mixed drink with Brennivin to see if it enhances a classic recipe. We may skip the shark, but then again, you know how we travel.

Taking Brennivín home

Brennivín is available in various sizes, and the price is slightly higher than you might expect, given its Icelandic origin. You will find Brennivín throughout Iceland and in the Duty-free store at the airport. There are other Brennivín versions, but they appear to be less popular than the classic black-and-white label.

The best price for Brennivin in Iceland is duty-free at the airport. A pilot gave a family member a tip to buy alcohol before leaving the airport, as the prices in the liquor stores are much higher. He said that is what they do when they come home. Interestingly, Brennivin is less expensive than most six-packs of beer in Iceland. Brennivin has the lowest cost of all spirits in Iceland, which may also be a reason for its popularity.

We bring several bottles home on each trip, as many friends and family members have come to enjoy its unique taste. It is a must-have from Iceland, and you’ll need to save room in your luggage for some.

Planning a trip to Iceland? Check out our Iceland Travel Guide here.

Purchasing Brennivín in the United States

The export of Brennivín from Iceland to the United States began in early 2014. Exports to Germany and Canada followed, and sales to Denmark and Sweden came later.

Once home, Brennivin is easy to find at our local liquor/wine stores. Depending on the location, large-scale stores like Total Wine will often have it in stock. If you don’t see it in the store, check their online inventory; you may be able to special order it. 

We found a site called Wine-Searcher.com, which will search online sources worldwide for wine, beer, and spirits. They have Brennivin available. They will ship to your home if your state allows it.

It is also worth contacting your local specialty liquor store to see what they can order for you.

If you find a great source, we would love to hear about it. Click here to contact us or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

May we suggest a few cocktail recipes?

© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

Check out our Iceland: Summer and Winter Comparative Photo Gallery here.

Iceland/Brennivin Photo Gallery

To learn more about Iceland, check out Iceland’s Official Tourism Site

Check out our Iceland blog posts

Destinations / Iceland

Discover the Best Season to Visit Iceland

Iceland: Summer and Winter Comparative Photo Gallery “THE PROBLEM WITH DRIVING AROUND ICELAND IS…

November 9, 2025

Destinations / Iceland

Iceland’s Glacier Lagoons: A Natural Wonder

Our ultimate guide and photo gallery of Iceland’s Glacier Lagoons. Join us on a…

February 2, 2025

Destinations / Iceland

Iceland’s Surprising Natural Wonders: Beyond the Famous Tourist Attractions

Iceland’s Surprising Natural Wonders: Beyond the Famous Tourist Attractions

November 12, 2024

Flights, Accommodations, and Everything You Need to Book in One Place

Are you planning a vacation this year? Start your research early to explore your options and find what fits your budget. By booking your own travel, you’ll uncover great deals and have complete control over your itinerary. The links below can be used for all elements of your trip, not just accommodations.

It is essential to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is a European company. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.