Harahorn Norwegian Gin

Harahorn Norwegian Gin. Det Norske Brenneri, Grimstad, Norway — a small-batch contemporary gin distilled 300 liters at a time from nearly two dozen botanicals, with signature Norwegian ingredients hand-foraged from the mountains and coastline including blueberries from Nordmarka, rhubarb, and bladderwrack seaweed.

Det Norske Brenneri — The Norwegian Distillery — was established in Grimstad on Norway's southern coast after the Norwegian government's monopoly on alcohol production was abolished in 2005. When Harahorn launched in 2015, it was immediately praised and won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016. The gin is named for the Harahorn, the Scandinavian equivalent of the American jackalope — a mythical horned hare whose image adorns the distinctive blue bottle. Each batch is weighed, measured, and assembled by hand at just 300 liters — tiny by any standard — with meticulous care for consistency.

The botanical selection is what makes Harahorn genuinely distinct: alongside classic gin botanicals (juniper, coriander, angelica, marjoram, grains of paradise, anise), Harahorn uses Norwegian juniper specifically from Røros, blueberries from Nordmarka, rhubarb, bladderwrack seaweed from Grimstad, and nectarine skin. The seaweed adds an earthy, marine-tinged dimension unlike anything found in conventional gin, while the blueberries contribute a distinctive berry character that interplays with juniper throughout the palate. The base spirit is Norwegian potato — the same foundation used for aquavit — giving the finished gin a subtle richness and weight.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Bright and earthy — soft juniper and angelica lead with lemon, rhubarb, and anise. White flowers and subtle marine notes from the bladderwrack in the background.
• Palate: Big and complex. Bold juniper and anise open, seguing into a rich, citrusy heart of lemon zest with blueberry, nectarine, and tart rhubarb. Hints of blackberry jam and coriander spice develop mid-palate. Slight coolness and menthol at the edges.
• Finish: Warm, dry, and long. Juniper and blueberry linger together with a peppery marjoram note and a faint trace of seaweed salinity.

Specs

• Distillery: Det Norske Brenneri, Grimstad, Norway
• Style: Contemporary Norwegian Gin
• Base Spirit: Norwegian potato
• Botanicals: Norwegian juniper (Røros), blueberries (Nordmarka), rhubarb, bladderwrack seaweed (Grimstad), angelica root, coriander, marjoram, grains of paradise, orange peel, lemon, nectarine skin, anise, and 11 additional botanicals
• Batch Size: 300 liters
• ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Harahorn Norwegian Gin taste like? Bright and earthy on the nose with juniper, lemon, rhubarb, and anise. The palate is bold and complex — big juniper, blueberry, nectarine, lemon zest, and tart rhubarb with hints of blackberry jam. The finish is warm, dry, and long with lingering juniper, blueberry, and a faint marine note.
• What makes Harahorn unique? The combination of Norwegian-foraged botanicals — blueberries from Nordmarka, bladderwrack seaweed from Grimstad, rhubarb, and Norwegian juniper from Røros — alongside a potato spirit base gives Harahorn a character unlike any London Dry or continental European gin.
• What is bladderwrack seaweed? Bladderwrack is a common coastal seaweed found along Norway's southern coast near Grimstad. In gin, it contributes earthy, mineral, and faintly marine notes that add savory complexity alongside the berry and citrus botanicals.
• What cocktails is Harahorn best in? Excellent in a G&T and a Gimlet where its bright citrus and berry character shines. Also works beautifully in a Last Word, Alaska Cocktail with Chartreuse, or a Gin Rickey.
• Has Harahorn won any awards? Yes — Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016, and Silver at the Bartender Spirits Awards.