It is already difficult to surprise anyone with herbal liqueurs, because lovers of these drinks have long chosen their favorites. Someone prefers the well-known brands Jagermeister or Becherovka, while someone prefers domestic brands such as Tundra Bitter or Ussuri Balsam.
But the Finnish company Altia Corporation still managed to create a new drink that is completely different from its predecessors. Herbal liqueur Valhalla (Valhalla) is a drink with a strong character of the Scandinavian spirit.
History of the drink
The full name of the liquor: Valhalla – The Spirit of Nordic Legends (Valhalla – Spirit of northern legends).
The name “Valhalla” was chosen for a reason. In Scandinavian mythology, Valhalla is a palace that was built in the heavenly city of Asgard and was intended for valiant warriors who fell in battle.
It is believed that Valhalla is a giant hall, hung with shields on the tips of swords, where 540 doors and 800 warriors will come out through each at the call of the god Heimdall during the last battle – Ragnarok. The warriors who live in Valhalla are called Einherii. Every day in the morning they put on armor and fight to the death, and then they rise and sit down at a common table to feast, surrounded by Valkyries.
According to legend, the Valhalla drink contains all the strength and courage of the Vikings, who learned to survive in the harsh Scandinavian conditions. And as a sign of this, the composition of the liquor includes herbs that are not afraid of frost and have the same endurance as the brave Vikings.
How Valhalla is made
It is produced on the basis of the famous Finnish vodka Koskenkorva, a mixture of northern herbs, including: Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), Artemisia absinthium (bitter wormwood), Angelica archangelica (angelica officinalis), as well as roots, spices and citrus fruits.
Interesting fact!
The Scandinavians have a legend associated with Angelica archangelica. Once an angel descended from heaven to people, who told them about the medicinal properties of this herb – the fight against the plague. It is also sometimes called the “Root of the Holy Spirit” – to suppress witchcraft and evil spirits.
During the production process, Koskenkorva is mixed with herbal ingredients, distilled and then aged under special conditions. This combination makes the taste of Valhalla rich with a pleasant bitterness and a refreshing aftertaste. And in the aroma you can catch light notes of citrus and a pronounced aroma of black licorice.
As for a liquor, it is quite strong – 35 degrees. Despite this, Valhalla is easy to drink and will appeal not only to men, but also to women.
Herbal liqueur has a beautiful caramel color that resembles dark rum.
Valhalla bottle features
The bottle deserves special attention. It is made in black matte style with a laconic design.
When you pick up a bottle, the first thing that catches your eye is an unusual round sign – Vegvisir. This is a Scandinavian pointer, which symbolizes a magical compass that helps you find the right path in harsh weather.
Although most research indicates that this is an Icelandic character, not a Finnish one. It has only been found in an Icelandic grimoire called “Galdrabok” (Book of Magic), written sometime between 1550 and 1650, when Viking history is long gone.
Relevance: 19.01.2018
Tags: Liqueurs, Pourings, Liqueurs, Brands of liqueurs