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Iceland’s BrennivĂ­n: Libations of the World

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World
Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World
Image from Brennivin Official Site

To think 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 side is the ruggedness, the harshness of extreme cold, and vast stretches of barren lands. Those lands are full of powerful natural elements from howling winds, rushing rivers, and violent volcanos. And yet, the Icelandic people produce wonderful things out of all that.

Brennivín, just like Iceland, is unique. The people of Iceland craft this spirit by combining pure, natural water and distilling it with other elements to create a crisp and 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 considered a type of aquavit (a distilled liquor principally produced in Scandinavian nations) that is distinctively Icelandic. Many think it to be Iceland’s signature distilled beverage. Brennivín is a clear distilled herbal spirit that people often describe as having fresh rye bread notes. It has a subtle sweetness that is blended with Icelandic water. It is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and is not a drink for those faint of heart.

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World

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

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 look 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 between the Nordic countries put 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 could make mead and beer, but in 1602, the Danish King instituted a trade monopoly, the “Einokunarverslun,” in Iceland.

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World
Image from Brennivin Official Site

As a result, only special Danish merchants could trade with Iceland. 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. It also doesn’t spoil and could sell for a much higher price.

Improving the flavor

The distillation techniques of the time (known as “burning”) meant that the resulting spirits (known as “burnt wine” or “brann-vin”) were often not palatable. To improve the taste, people would infuse the 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 made their way to Scandinavia. By then, the taste for various aquavits was well set in 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

Distilling their own spirits was not allowed for Icelanders. In 1908, a prohibition referendum was passed in Iceland. Starting in 1912, all alcohol imports would stop, and there would be no more beer, wine, or distilled spirits. All remaining alcoholic beverages had to be consumed or destroyed by 1915.

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World

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. Beer would remain illegal until March 1, 1989.

Since the Danish Distilling Company no longer chained the Icelanders, they could make whatever they desired. The Icelandic government set up the State Alcohol Company of Iceland, known as the “AVR,” which still exists today as the “ATVR.” One of the few spirits the AVR decided to produce was caraway-flavored Brennivín.

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 folk tradition in Nordic countries that has been long-held. Brennivín is still the traditional drink for the mid-winter feast of Þorrablót.

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

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World
Photo by Katrina Wright on Unsplash

Other versions are made with rye or aging in different barrels, like sherry casks. However, the original seems always to be the favorite. Sometimes there is no need to mess with a classic. Various other Icelandic distilleries produce different brands of brennivín, all 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 welcome and subtle licorice hint to many dishes. People describe the taste often as earthy, with a touch of citrus and pepper. Caraway’s distinctive licorice-like flavor is due to anethole, which you will find in black licorice. They are high in antioxidants and often aid in digestive health.

The wildflower caraway grows well in Iceland and is treasured for its tasty seeds. The Caraway Seeds is 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 good for baking and putting in hot beverages such as coffee or a cup of hot cacao. The Caraway seeds used for 64° Brennivín mostly come from Viðey; they also add angelica seeds in this version. Wormwood is also used on some versions of Brennivin.

Licorice anyone?

Fun fact black licorice is considered a highly effective mucokinetic (a drug that clears mucus from the airways); licorice has been relied on by Icelandic pharmacists for centuries to combat respiratory ailments frequently afflicting inhabitants of the subarctic, perpetually damp island. Would Brennivin contribute to that as well?

The fact that the favored alcohol drink of Iceland is Brennivin would not surprise many who have visited. You will soon discover a pattern from the airport duty-free to every shop that sells candy. Much of their candy has some form of 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

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World

Today, Icelanders typically drink Brennivín chilled, often right out of a freezer. Many also enjoy it as a shot, with a beer, or as a cocktail base. It usually takes the place of 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…..

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World

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 helps spice up a classic recipe. We may skip the shark, but then again, you know how we travel.

Taking Brennivín home

Iceland's Brennivín

Brennivín is for sale in various sizes, and the cost is a little higher than you expect, as it is in Iceland, after all. You will find Brennivín often during your travels around Iceland and in the Duty-free store at the airport. There are other Brennivín versions, but it seems they are not nearly as popular as the classic black and white label version of Brennivín.

The best price anywhere in Iceland for Brennivin is at the airport duty-free. A tip a pilot gave a family member was 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 each trip as many friends, and family members have grown to like its unique taste. It is a must-have from Iceland, and you must 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. Sales to Denmark and Sweden came later.

Once home, it is easy to find Brennivin in 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 what they have online; you may be able to special order it. 

Drizly.com is an online company that delivers to your door and best serves those living in bigger cities. This is a new site, and it has a pretty impressive inventory. We found a site called Wine-Searcher.com which will search online sources worldwide for any 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 found a great source, we would love to hear about it. Contact us by clicking here or leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

Iceland's Brennivín, Iceland’s Brennivín: Libations of the World

May we suggest a few recipes for cocktails?

Brenn and Tonic

Ingredients
1.5 oz Brennivin
4 oz Tonic Water
1 Lemon Wedge

 In a tall glass with ice, combine Brennivin with high-quality tonic water. Squeeze in a lemon wedge as a garnish.

Recipe from Food & Wine Website


Brenn-Hattan

Ingredients
2 ounces of Brennivin
1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
Ice
Rosemary Sprig

 Combine two ounces of Brennivin and an ounce of sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well-chilled and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, slapping the sprig a few times before adding it to the glass to release its aroma.

Recipe from Food & Wine Website


Brennivin Bouquet

Ingredients
1 ounce of Brennivin
1 ounce of Lavender & Wild Rose Liqueur
Edible flower for garnish

Shake liquids with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an edible flower.


Recipe from Iceland Magazine. Created in 2013 by Jacqueline Pruner
Check out this link for more recipes from Iceland Magazine


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Squaremouth.com

Our favorite travel insurance site!

If you book a trip, don’t forget to get travel insurance within 14 days of your first booking. We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured. Not just for the little stuff but the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Over the years, we have used many sites but have now found our go-to place. Squaremouth.com does a fantastic job; it has a user-friendly interface, uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers, and most policies cover COVID-19 medical issues and cancellations. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems with your policy.

To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.

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Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world

They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. They cover COVID-related transport as well.

Medjet carries its own policies. The policy is only for transport and no other aspects of travel insurance. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74 and younger. Prices are not based on age below that.

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Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours 

Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Whether planning a family vacation, booking for business, or organizing the trip of a lifetime, they are a fantastic resource. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.  

Booking.com

Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours 

Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes.

We always check Expedia and Booking.com to verify prices. At times, one is sold out of rooms while another at the same place has rooms. As well we often find some European hotels, especially smaller ones, on Booking.com but not on Expedia. It could be they are a Europe-based company. Try both before booking accommodations.

Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)

Are you traveling with a family or having an extended stay at your destination?

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, VRBO connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The VRBO community offers families or groups various rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, etc.

VRBO is under the Expedia group ownership now, which many were worried about, but it hasn’t panned out to be a concern. It is a massive network with access to all lodging forms should issues arise. Joelle has used VRBO for many years with her family with no problems.

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As the leading marketplace for travel experiences, Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier.

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Amazon.com

An excellent source for travel essentials and guides

We now have our own Amazon Storefront with all our favorite travel accessories and gear in one place. Check out our travel store at the link below.

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront

Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. On behalf of their customers, teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.

We buy most of our travel books, accessories, and luggage from Amazon. We have ordered up to two days before travel and get what we need.

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This is not your ordinary drinkware company. The HYDAWAY difference is what their products do when you’re not using them. Practical and portable, HYDAWAY doesn’t take up unnecessary space in your already-packed life or pile up in landfills. We all know that trying to pack light while being environmentally conscious can be difficult. Having the right items can make a world of difference. HYDAWAY provides that.

We have used their collapsible water bottle, carrying case for the water bottle, and collapsible insulated drink tumbler. They are all lightweight and durable. A conservation-focused product you can be proud to buy.

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(Airport and sightseeing service)

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