Linie Aquavit
The Norwegian aquavit that crosses the equator twice in sherry casks before being bottled. Everything about caraway, its flavor, how to serve it and the right glass to use.
More than four months at sea, crossing the equator twice
Aquavit is the Scandinavian equivalent of genever: a grain distillate that gets its flavor from caraway, along with herbs and spices such as dill, fennel, coriander and cinnamon. The word comes from the Latin aqua vitae, water of life. In Norway, Denmark and Sweden, it goes with food: served ice-cold with herring, smoked fish and Christmas dishes.
Linie does something no one else does. The aquavit ages in oak sherry casks that sail aboard a cargo ship from Norway to Australia and back: around nineteen weeks at sea, crossing the equator twice. The constant rocking and changing temperatures bring the spirit into more intensive contact with the wood. Hence the name: Linie is Norwegian for the line, the equator. The back label on each bottle tells you which ship the batch sailed on and when.
In brief
Linie Aquavit and other akvavits
There’s one bottle of Linie available in the Netherlands. These Danish akvavits show how different it can be: with or without caraway.
Linie Aquavit
Caraway as the base, complemented by dill, fennel, coriander, and cinnamon, aged in sherry casks that crossed the equator twice. Warm and slightly woody.
Aalborg Jubilæums
From 1946, made for the 100th anniversary of Aalborg Taffel. The only one in the range without caraway: citrus, star anise, dill, and caramel.
Aalborg Nordguld
From 2007, with caraway, vanilla, and rosemary with a pine note. Softer and rounder than the classic Danish style.
Aalborg Dild
All about dill, with citrus and anise around it. Fresh and light, and made for the lunch table with seafood.
Choose Linie if you want something warm and woody; Aalborg Dild if you’re looking for something fresher.
Caraway, anise, and woody sweetness
Caraway & anise
Caraway up front, with anise, fennel, and dill around it. Behind that, vanilla and sherry from the cask: warmer than you’d expect from akvavit.
Soft and spicy
Soft and slightly oily, with caraway, cinnamon, and a distinct vanilla note from the oak. Much rounder than an unaged snaps.
Warm and dry
A warm, dry finish with caraway and wood. Just what you want after a heavy meal.
Linie Aquavit’s flavor profile. Aalborg Dild is fresher and lighter; Jubilæums has no caraway and tastes more citrusy.
Three ways to drink Linie Aquavit
In Scandinavia, akvavit is served with food, not before or after. Ice-cold, in small glasses, between courses.
Ice-cold snaps with fish
Put the bottle in the freezer for a few hours and pour 2 to 3 cl into a small shot glass. Drink it in two or three sips with herring, smoked salmon, or shrimp: the salt and fat in the fish call for just the right amount of caraway.
Glass: shot glass →Neat at room temperature
3 cl in a small tasting glass, not chilled. Since Linie has aged in sherry casks, it can handle that: you’ll really taste the vanilla and oak imparted by its sea voyage.
Glass: tasting glass →As a Nordic Sour
Shake 50 ml Linie Aquavit, 25 ml lemon juice and 15 ml simple syrup hard with ice, then strain over a large ice cube. The caraway and lemon bring out the best in each other; a surprisingly good sour.
Sour base recipe →Cocktails with akvavit
Akvavit is still rarely used as a cocktail ingredient, but it makes a great substitute for gin or vodka: it adds a spicy, anise-like layer.
Danish Mary
Bloody Mary with akvavit instead of vodka. The caraway and tomato go surprisingly well together.
Gimlet
Akvavit with lime and sugar. Sharper and spicier than with gin.
Aquavit Martini
Akvavit with dry vermouth and a twist of lemon. Dry and spicy.
Nordic Collins
Akvavit with lemon, sugar and sparkling water over lots of ice. Light and refreshing.The right glass for akvavit
A small shot or snaps glass for serving ice-cold, and a tasting glass if you want to taste Linie at room temperature. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Linie Aquavit
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What is the alcohol percentage of Linie Aquavit?
What exactly is aquavit?
Why does Linie Aquavit cross the equator?
How do you drink aquavit?
What's the difference between aquavit and genever?
How long does an opened bottle of aquavit keep?
Buy Linie Aquavit
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Linie Aquavit online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
