Oss Craft Distillery
About the distillery (briefly)
Oss Craft Distillery is located in Blomsterdalen by Bergen and is open to the public. The distillery is part of Bareksten Spirits and builds its identity on Norwegian forests, old oak trees, huldra figures, and Nordic, natural, and organic ingredients. This gives a clear Norwegian character, where botanical raw materials and the nature of the place itself are at the very center.
History
Bareksten Spirits is shaped by a distinct Norwegian nature narrative. Inspiration comes from the mighty forests, where light rarely reaches the ground, and from the underground huldra figures that are linked to the roots of old oak trees. In this story, Oss Craft Distillery in Blomsterdalen by Bergen is the place where the brand calls home. Stig Bareksten stands as founder and front figure, and the brand’s breakthrough came with a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2018, production of the distinctive botanical gin was quadrupled, and it marked an important step from Norwegian character to international visibility.
Raw materials and production
The production is based on Nordic, natural, and organic ingredients, and native herbs and wild berries are among the raw materials that stand out most clearly. The spirit is described as potato based, which helps give a soft mouthfeel. The most distinctive method is Double Gin, where juniper berries are distilled separately, while nine other botanicals are distilled together, before the two parts are blended. It is a way to control the balance between classic juniper character and a broad botanical complexity. The entire expression is closely tied to Norwegian forests and landscapes, and the botanical profile is evident in both approach and style.
Whiskies
The documented range consists of Bareksten Botanical Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Old Tom Gin, and Double Gin. The series thus covers both a signature edition, a stronger navy strength version, a sweeter Old Tom, and a technically double-distilled gin. What they share is the clear Norwegian framework, the use of botanicals, and a style that places great value on nature and the character of the raw ingredients. Botanical Gin is the brand’s starting point, while the other expressions show how the house works with strength, sweetness, and distillation techniques within the same profile.
| Whisky | Type / series | Alcohol | Flavor profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bareksten Botanical Gin | Gin; Bareksten Spirits brands | 46 % | The botanical gin is the brand’s signature and is made with 26 botanicals, where the ingredients are sourced from the dark Norwegian forests. | Current; Core assortment |
| Bareksten Navy Strength Gin | Gin; Bareksten Spirits brands | A navy strength version of the brand’s gin—that is, a gin with at least 57% ABV. | Current; Core assortment | |
| Bareksten Old Tom Gin | Gin; Bareksten Spirits brands | The Old Tom version is sweeter than London Dry and drier than Dutch Jenever. | Current; Core assortment | |
| Bareksten Double Gin | Gin; Bareksten Spirits brands | Double Gin is distilled in two tracks: juniper berries alone in one, and nine other botanicals together in the other, before they are blended. | Current; Core assortment |
The style and flavor profile of the gins
The flavor profile revolves around juniper, herbs, and wild berries. This results in an expression with botanical freshness, berry fruitiness, and a spicy, herb-driven lift. At the same time, the potato based spirit points to a soft mouthfeel, which can carry the many botanicals without becoming sharp. The whole is therefore both green, fruity, and spicy, with a clear Nordic purity.
Visit the distillery
Oss Craft Distillery is open to the public and is located at Fleslandsvegen 205, 5258 Blomsterdalen, Norway. Visitors can get in touch by phone or email, and the visit can be planned based on the indicated location. The material does not provide a detailed program with opening hours or experiences, but it confirms that the distillery welcomes guests.
Philosophy and craft
The philosophy is clearly rooted in Nordic, natural, and organic ingredients. Native herbs and wild berries are not decoration, but the very foundation of the flavor. Inspiration comes from Norwegian forests, old oak trees, and the landscape surrounding the distillery, so that raw materials and place are closely connected in the way the brand is built up.