Oslo’s renowned artisanal spirits distillery OHD (Oslo Håndverksdestilleri) has named multi-award-winning Maverick Drinks as the exclusive UK distributor for its collection of traditionally-made Nordic spirits.
Established in 2015 in Oslo’s Bryn district, OHD crafts a collection of distilled akevitts, gins and bitters using Scandinavian customs, time-honoured distilling methods and locally-foraged ingredients.
OHD was set up by Marius Vestnes of Cask Norway and Marcin Miller of Number One Drinks, with head distiller Matt McMillan overseeing production.
The first OHD product released was Marka Nordic Bitter, crafted with 16 botanicals to offer a taste of the Nordic landscape. This was followed by VIDDA Tørr Gin, made according to a traditional ‘dry’ style but with local botanicals, Akevitt Blank, an unaged akevitt, and simply Akevitt, which has been aged for 12 months in American oak casks.
All four products will join the Maverick Drinks portfolio and are available to UK partners immediately, with new release Fjæra Rosé Gin to follow in the coming months.
I’ve always been impressed by how the Maverick team goes about its business; talented people working with excellent spirits is a great combination.
We are thrilled to be joining the portfolio at this exciting juncture in OHD’s development and Maverick’s growth; the timing could not be better.
– Marcin Miller: OHD Co-Founder
In the short time that OHD’s spirits have been available in the UK market, they’ve already found their way into the hands of some of the country’s best bartenders.
We see a lot of promise for the akevitt (otherwise known as aquavit) category and think the OHD craft spirits are well-positioned to lead that category.
– Michael Vachon: Head of Brand Development at Maverick Drinks
OHD joins the Maverick Drinks’ growing portfolio of inspiring craft spirits brands from around the world including Widow Jane, the Kyrö Distillery Company, Balcones, Brenne, Bluecoat Gin, FEW Spirits, Filliers, the New York Distilling Company, Smooth Ambler, St George Spirits, Wolfburn, Ableforth’s, That Boutique-y Gin Company and That Boutique-y Whisky Company.
As part of its #ForwardDrinking campaign, Maverick Drinks continues to challenge how brands work with bars up and down the country. The distributor has engaged bar communities throughout the UK with the first in a series of seminars, The Relationships Between Brands and Bars is Broken, to stir up conversation and drive meaningful change.
This philosophy, coupled with the strength of the Maverick Drinks portfolio, played a substantial part in Maverick Drinks being named Spirits Distributor of the Year for the third time in four years at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition.