Ego Distillers: A modern distillery pushing the boundaries of flavour

By Malin Norman | Photos: Ego Distillers

Gothenburg’s first distillery is a creative home to spirits, cocktails and flavours. In the vibrant area Gamlestadens Fabriker, Ego Distillers innovates award-winning products, with a sense of curiosity and playfulness.

At the end of 2024, Gothenburg’s first distillery and cocktail bar opened its doors in SKF’s historic engine room at Gamlestadens Fabriker. Here, the team distils spirits on site and designs cocktails inspired by flavours from around the world.

Founders Johan Hagman and David de Courcy are on a mission to shape the future of craft spirits. With their modern distillery and cocktail bar, they have already produced a line-up of four award-winning products – gin, vodka, akvavit and absinth – and with plenty more in the pipeline.

Ego Distillers is a pioneer in flavour, if you will. Experimenting in small batches with unexpected ingredients and combinations, the founders are pushing the boundaries of what flavour can be. “It’s our goal to find the future of flavour,” says Hagman. “We’re not very traditional. Instead, we want to challenge what has already been done.”

David de Courcy and Johan Hagman.

Different products, same identity

The founders are proud of their flagship products. “Our gin, vodka, akvavit and absinth have different personalities, yet with the same flavour identity,” says de Courcy. “With great ingredients, precision and time, we create products that have balanced flavours. The elements should not compete with each other, but rather result in an elegant, rich flavour and a smooth mouthfeel.”

Ego Gin was the distillery’s first product. “It took over 100 attempts, with small adjustments along the way,” reflects de Courcy. “In our gin, we’ve included 12 botanicals, including juniper, coriander and citrus peel – one ingredient is still kept a secret – and if we were to remove one of them, the balance would be off.” Last year, Ego Gin won gold at the World Gin Awards and gold in the Dry Gin category at the Gin & Tonic Awards Sweden.

Ego Distillers: A modern distillery pushing the boundaries of flavour

Another award-winning product is Ego Vodka, which won silver at the World Vodka Awards 2025. Hagman explains: “Our vodka is clean yet with a distinct soul. We made it with vanilla orchid and crystals, for another flavour dimension.”

Unexpected flavours are also served up by the team in for instance Ginarita – made with freshly baked pizza margarita and bergamot, and new products are coming, such as tequila, rum, and an orange liqueur. “We also experiment with barrel-aged gins,” adds de Courcy. “People seem to love our innovative approach. And with our cocktail bar on site, we get instant feedback from customers and can tweak if need be.”

Ego Distillers: A modern distillery pushing the boundaries of flavour

One of Gothenburg’s top experiences

Ego Distillers is located in the area Gamlestaden, just a few minutes by tram from the central station. This historical part of Gothenburg has been transformed into an up-and-coming hub for contemporary culture. In SKF’s old engine room in Gamlestadens Fabriker the ball bearing was invented, and this is where the distillery makes its praised spirits today.

At Ego Distillers, industrial charm and artisanal precision meet in a setting that invites both flavour experiences and social moments. “The combination of industrial heritage, high-quality spirits and great atmosphere makes our distillery a destination for anyone who wants to discover Gothenburg’s burgeoning food and drink scene,” smiles Hagman. “On Fridays or Saturdays, we also have a DJ – for a Manhattan vibe.”

For those who want to get closer to the craft, Ego Distillers offers a range of experiences. In an unpretentious setting, you can participate in gin tastings, cocktail workshops and guided tours to get an insight into the process, from raw materials to finished spirit, and taste the result along the way.

Ego Distillers: A modern distillery pushing the boundaries of flavour