Kalevala Distillery: Handcrafted organic gin from a family-owned distillery in Karelia

In easternmost Finland, the small family-owned Kalevala Distillery crafts premium organic gin with meticulous care. Every sip is a journey through the beautiful Finnish nature and the country’s culture and traditions.

Kalevala Distillery is a craft gin distillery based in north Karelia in eastern Finland, a region with a history of moonshining in the 1930s. The meticulously handcrafted gins reflect the owners’ dedication to quality and tradition. “We’re a small family business, where every aspect of production is managed in-house and in small batches,” says Moritz Wüstenberg, founder and master distiller.

Moritz’s journey in gin started when he was studying biochemical engineering at UCL in the UK, and eventually setting up his own small gin distillery in a disused barn in eastern Finland some 12 years ago. This is where he blends his scientific expertise with a passion for distilling. And his spirits are nothing but exceptional in quality as well as environmentally conscious.

Despite humble beginnings, the distillery has grown organically and the award-winning gins are now available internationally. A recently started cooperation with Danish BeMakers enables direct sales to consumers in most of central Europe. The distillery is still based in the same place and being a small family-owned business, everybody helps where needed. Whilst Moritz takes care of the production, his wife Sonja manages communication and marketing, including all aspects of content creation, but she also pitches in wherever needed.

Where tradition meets taste

The area around the small distillery is beautiful and unspoilt. “Our brand vision is simple: to craft the finest organic spirits using traditional distilling methods, while preserving the pristine nature that surrounds us,” explains Moritz. “We’re committed to producing high-quality, authentic spirits that truly reflect the natural environment in which we operate.”

The gins and branding are inspired by the tales of Kalevala, a work of epic poetry by Elias Lönnrot based upon Finnish mythology and oral folk poetry from Karelia. “The Kalevala is based in the same place where we live and produce our gin. My mother is actually from this area,” says the master distiller. Each sip is a tribute to the ancient wisdom, mystical landscapes, and heroic deeds that have shaped Finnish culture.

“The main flavour must be juniper berries, but the range of botanicals that can be explored is limitless,” says Moritz. “We use locally sourced ingredients such as sea buckthorn, raspberry and blackcurrant leaf, and Jerusalem artichoke to make our gin with a distinctly Finnish twist.”

London Dry, Ruby and Saimaa

The London Dry Gin was one of the distillery’s first and is still the best-seller. This is a classic gin where juniper is the star followed by notes of fresh mint, rosemary and hits of pine and raspberry. The result is a fresh whisp of the nature of Finland.

Another gem is the irresistible Ruby Gin, which has London Dry Gin as the base and then infused with berries grown at the doorstep of the distillery. It has a bright red colour, however not sweet, and a more subtle flavour with almost earthy berry notes yet with a dry finish. Of course, no artificial colours or additives have been used. The dark red colour comes from local bilberries and lingonberries.

Kalevala Distillery also produces unique products on customer request. One such is the Saimaa Aged Gin, aged to perfection in barrels. Named after the beautiful Saimaa Lake region in North Karelia, this gin carries a delicate hint of ginger. The result is elegant and refined.

For a more sustainable future

The natural beauty isn’t just a backdrop but a crucial ingredient in the craft. The clean air, pure water, and vibrant biodiversity inspire every bottle produced. Since 2020, Kalevala Distillery has been part of the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, the network of UNESCOs worldwide Biosphere Reserve, a recognition of its commitment to sustainability and ecological harmony.

“We want to be a leading example of how small, family-owned businesses can have a big impact on the world by producing organic, sustainable products that taste great and do good – for a more sustainable future,” the distiller concludes.

Web: www.kalevaladistillery.com
Facebook: Kalevala Distillery
Instagram: @kalevaladistillery