When asked what his job title is, head of sales and marketing Eskil Tjore informed Localfolk that he is most often referred to as a potato. “We don’t really do titles here,” he explained, “except that we recognise ourselves as potatoes.” As their ethanol base is made from potatoes, and since potatoes are commonly used for almost anything, the multitasking and multitalented people behind Bareksten Spirits find that description quite suitable for each other.

Unlike potatoes, however, Bareksten Spirits are far from common. The multitasking began when Stig Bareksten started collecting berries and handpicking his own herbs for his own liking. Stig is the founder, but he’s referred to as the godfather of their distillation process. He and some of his friends decided to make something they wanted to drink rather than going mainstream by trying to create a product everyone would enjoy. As it turns out, the number of people who want what they’re brewing in Bergen is growing steadily every day. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Bareksten Botanical Gin Double Gold in 2017. In 2020, despite the difficult year for so many small businesses, the very same gin nabbed the award for Best London Dry Gin.

Producing a batch of gin is often regarded as fast and easy, but the process of finding the right combination of ingredients is not. “When you find a recipe, you have to stick with it, and you really have to take care of the process after that.” Bareksten’s gin production follows the parameters set for it to be a veritable London Dry, but it has been branded as botanical so that people know what they’re in for when they taste it. Although a lot of its flavour can be attributed to the mineral-rich water that comes from the regional springs, the twenty-six botanicals used are absolutely crucial for the gin’s award-winning taste. Nineteen of the twenty-six can be sourced regionally, which makes it even more special. Some of the ingredients include herbs and fruits such as caraway, citrus peel, coriander, lingonberries, fennel, and various field flowers like lavender and chamomile. It took an awful lot of tinkering to get their gin to where it is today.

Conversely, the process of the brand’s identity was relatively straightforward. When it came to addressing the international market, the ‘potatoes’ knew their packaging needed to stand out as much as their product did. They worked with KIND, a branding agency also located in Bergen, for their product’s presentation. “Branding in our world is pretty important… The look needed to capture the brand, and it needed to have something special.” And it certainly does – the matte black bottle with embossed juniper bushes is as impressive to behold as their product is. Goblins and local folklore were part of the inspiration used to convey Norway’s damp forests and its flavour combinations of mythical proportions.

“You have to do a good job of promoting the product, so we started off by traveling for international recognition.” Bareksten’s spirits have indeed gained further recognition for their efforts apart from scoring high at international competitions. Although their products cannot be purchased directly from the distributors, they are increasingly easier to find with Bareksten Botanical Gin now available in thirty countries – and counting. “It’s a gin for the enthusiasts, and our small company keeps expanding.”

Their distillery is still the same one Bareksten started with despite the fact that the demand for their product has grown exponentially. Even still, the venue is able to host events and provide tasting tours for private bookings arranged ahead of time. When asked about future goals, Eskil references the start of our conversation and the company’s humble origins. “It’s all about going back to the beginning – trying to make the best we can since we’re still growing.” They aim to expand the brand but will always stick to the core concept of making exceptional gin that’s indicative of their love for the drink and representative of the abundant flora found in their diverse backyard.