The Art of Great Aquavit

In this course, you'll hear the story of Norwegian whisky – where and how it's made, and what makes it uniquely good. You’ll learn how the world’s simplest recipe – water, yeast, and malted barley – can result in one of the most complex and multifaceted drinks in the world of spirits. You’ll also hear how making whisky can help save an old fishing village from extinction, turn island-hopping along the coast into a gourmet experience, and even win prestigious architecture awards. Since you're not allowed to legally make this drink at home, you'll get to enjoy four quality samples along the way to illustrate the process and flavors. With the insights from this course, you’ll likely appreciate your next glass of good whisky even more – and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to create a rich and exciting flavor universe. And you’ll never again be afraid to add water to your whisky – here, you’ll learn why the professionals do it all the time!

Gin? You probably think it’s just something you drink with tonic or in a fancy cocktail, right? Well, that’s limiting yourself—and you might be missing out on some amazing flavors! In this course, you’ll learn about ways to enjoy gin that you most likely haven’t tried before. You’ll also understand why some gins are cheap (and not so good...) while others cost a bit more (and you can definitely taste the difference!). You’ll learn what MUST be in a gin—and, just as importantly, what CAN be included. With a focus on craftsmanship and local ingredients, you’ll get to deeply taste two of our gins, as well as experience how they work in a “normal” context—as ingredients in drinks. In total, you’ll get four tasting samples. By the end of the course, we hope you’ll understand that gin isn’t just a mixing ingredient, but can also be a brilliant flavor experience in its own right.

At Bårdshaug Herregård you get a beautiful, historical setting around your visit. Sleep, eat and drink well.