Our History
Aquavit / Akvavit / Akevitt
A spirit popular in Scandinavia and northern Germany, distilled and flavoured with caraway and/or dill seed. Traditionally served neat, and often ice cold.
Vintersol Distillery began with a love of aquavit, and a desire to innovate on this subtly complex spirit. Drawing inspiration from Scandinavian design principles of simplicity, functionality, and minimalism, we started by experimenting on a small copper still in rural France, creating recipes for our own enjoyment.
Over time, this personal interest evolved into a professional one, and in 2019 we decided to turn the idea of making and selling our aquavit into a reality. Our ambitions have grown since then, and while aquavit is still at the heart of what we do, we now apply those same principles that guided our initial foray into the world of distillation to other spirits. In 2021 we moved into our microdistillery in Putney, London, where we develop, distil, and bottle all our products by hand.
Our Ethos
Our philosophy when it comes to creating spirits is characteristically Scandinavian; we use simple and considered means to create elegant and sophisticated results.
Less is More
We select just a few high-quality botanicals for each recipe to create distinctive, complex flavours while allowing the character of each individual ingredient to shine through. We believe a small number of well-chosen and precisely balanced botanicals are all that's needed to create amazing spirits.
Modern Technology for Modern Spirits
Our equipment give us a great deal of control over all aspects the distillation process, allowing us to create wonderful tasting spirits, while minimizing our environmental impact. There are many proven, traditional techniques that have a place among our methods, but there is also always room for innovation and improvement.
A Respect for Nature
We are constantly working to ensure that all aspects of our business are as ethically sourced and sustainable as possible, from the raw materials that go into our spirits, to the packaging they come in, to the energy that powers our distillery.
Our Team
Sasha
Chief Executive Officer & Distiller
A former corporate intelligence analyst with bartending experience and a longstanding interest in the spirits industry, Sasha first began distilling on a small copper still in southern France. It didn't take long for the hobby to evolve into a potential business venture, and in 2019 he dedicated himself to establishing and running Vintersol Distillery full time.
Brian
Chief Operations Officer
A title with more than one meaning, as Brian is both a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and the respectable and presentable face of Vintersol Distillery. He is focused on brand development and introducing customers to a delicious spirit that is unfamiliar in the United Kingdom.
Jacques
Chief Digital Officer
Another former corporate intelligence analyst, Jacques comes from an old French distilling family and holds a PhD in History. At Vintersol Distillery he is the man behind the screen, responsible for our digital presence.