Brand

Barerksten

Norwegian brand of botanical spirits created by Stig Bareksten and produced at OSS Craft Distillery (Bergen). Known for a potato-based botanical gin built around wild Norwegian ingredients (around 26 botanicals) and for a range that includes gin, navy strength, aquavit, sloe gin and absinthe.
  • Bergen (Blomsterdalen area) · Vestland · Norway
  • Since 2015

Barerksten

Meet the producer

Official website
The story
The Bareksten brand grew out of the work of master distiller Stig Bareksten, who launched the project linked to OSS Craft Distillery around 2015. Bareksten gin gained international recognition from 2017 onward and helped put Norwegian gin on the global map.
Production philosophy
Inspired by the landscape and flora of Norway's west coast: local and wild ingredients, artisanal production and an aromatic character that evokes northern forests and native berries.
Territory
Bergen and Norway's west coast; inspiration and primary raw materials are drawn from the Norwegian natural environment.
Awards and recognition
San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Double Gold (Bareksten Botanical Gin, 2017 and 2020). Bareksten Botanical Aquavit – Silver (San Francisco WSC 2020). Additional international recognitions and industry awards as reported by specialist sources.
Production method
Artisanal small-batch production at OSS Craft Distillery; spirit base produced from local potatoes. The recipe relies heavily on local and wild botanicals to deliver intense, complex aromatic profiles.
Distillation
Small-batch distillation at OSS Craft Distillery; spirit base from potatoes. Third-party sources report a combined use of botanical maceration and steam-infusion techniques to develop the aromatic profile.
Ageing
For the aquavit: maturation in casks (cask finishing) — specifically reported use of Oloroso sherry casks for the 'Botanical Aquavit' expression.
Characteristics
Type
Brand
City
Bergen (Blomsterdalen area)
Categories
  • Norwegian gin
  • botanical gin
  • navy strength
  • aquavit
  • absinthe
  • sloe gin
Raw materials
  • potatoes
  • local herbs and berries
Casks and ageing vessels
  • Oloroso sherry casks (for the aquavit)
Representative products
  • Bareksten Botanical Gin 100cl
  • Bareksten Navy Strength Gin
  • Bareksten Botanical Aquavit
  • Bareksten Absinthe
  • Bareksten Sloe Gin
What makes it distinctive
  • Produced and bottled at OSS Craft Distillery (Bergen, Norway).
  • Spirit base from potatoes and intensive use of local botanicals (around 26 botanicals).
  • Bareksten Botanical Gin: Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (e.g. 2017, 2020 as reported by sources).
  • Bareksten Botanical Aquavit matured in Oloroso sherry casks (medalled at the San Francisco WSC 2020).
  • International recognition and presence in industry competitions and awards (additional prizes reported by specialist sources).

Products from Barerksten

Full collection

There are currently no products available from this producer.