History

Forss Destilleri is a small craft distillery located in Köpmanholmen near Höga Kusten, in central Norrland. They produce whisky and refine rum, with the ambition of creating good and somewhat different drinks, while also wanting to produce products that are equal but still different. Their philosophy is to age the drink in different types of barrels – from Swedish oak to various wine barrels – to develop the flavors.

The history is also mentioned through the note about the link between Höga Kusten and the tradition of spirits in the area: Forss hopes to contribute to creating a drinking venue in Köpmanholmen together with other producers and culinary craftsmen. According to the site, Forss in Köpmanholmen is a continuation of a local industrial history; the old Forss AB was founded in 1877, and in 1908 Forss AB patented a method for the production of edible alcohol made from cellulose (called Taffelbrännvin).

Production / Manufacturing

Malt and Spirit

Forss produces a malted spirit consisting of an organic blend of 70% wheat and 30% grain, which is milled and distilled in batches in their own distillery. The mash is placed in small casks, which are made in Sweden from Swedish oak, and the cask is heavily toasted or charred to achieve a strong flavor development. The malted base develops flavors often described as powerful, with notes of caramel, vanilla and pepper in the relatively young spirit.

Casks and maturation

Our cask aging is located just a stone's throw from the sea, and the bottles are influenced by the sea and nature as well as temperature variations through the four seasons in Höga Kusten. The casks are used to mature the wine and create character in the spirit; the casks are small and can have different toasting levels, which impart distinct flavor and color. The casks are stored in an unheated and non-insulated warehouse close to the distillery and near the sea, which contributes to the development of color and flavor.

Whisky and Rum

Forss Whisky is produced from a malt-based spirit (70% wheat and 30% grain), which is aged in Swedish oak barrels, often heavily toasted or charred. The barrels are small, which gives faster color development and flavor, and the spirit is often bottled at cask strength, with the option to dilute to a lower strength at bottling for an extra cost.

The rum at Forss is aged in selected wine casks – Ruby Port, Tawny Port and Sherry – to give the rum a rich fruity character. The rum is completely dry without added sweetness, and blending rum from the Dominican Republic and Jamaica is said to give a unique aroma and flavor, offering a different dimension than whisky. Aging in wine casks provides not only aromas from the wine but also a natural sweetness from the rum itself.

Products / Whisky Series

Whisky

Forss Whisky is based on a malted grain blend (70% wheat and 30% grain) and is aged in Swedish oak barrels with heavy toasting or charring to achieve a powerful flavor development. The spirit is produced in batches and each batch is unique, which gives Forss its signature of being equal but still different. Bottling is normally at the alcohol strength that the cask has at bottling; dilution to a lower strength can be chosen for an extra cost at bottling. Forss works with small casks to achieve deeper color and strong character.

Rum

Rums at Forss are imported and mature in selected wine casks (Ruby Port, Tawny Port and Sherry). The short aging gives a full-bodied fruitiness and rounded maturity. Each type of wine cask contributes its own character, and as with whisky the rum goes through a maturation journey where it develops through the cask. After aging you can bottle the rum as its own Forss experience, and similarly with a whisky – you can decide whether the cask should be refilled or if it should be bottled for a private label.

Cask Ownership Program (fatägarskab)

A unique concept at Forss is the possibility to become a cask owner and choose which type of cask the spirit should mature on (Swedish oak or wine casks such as sherry, madeira, port) in sizes from 10 to 50 liters. The casks are stored in the aging house near the distillery and are kept for three years, after which you can bottle and receive labels with your own design. Settlement occurs by agreement and payment, and Forss takes responsibility for the storage and storage liability insurance. Tasting samples and opportunities to try the stored spirit along the way are also offered.

Visits and Experiences

On-site Sales and Tours

Forss Destilleri offers on-site sales and can arrange tailored visits and tastings for companies or associations. They currently have planned opening hours around Christmas and offer guided tours and tastings for visitors. Prices include a tour and/or tasting per person, and customized solutions outside opening hours are also available upon request.

Tours and Events

Visitors can participate in tours and tastings to experience the process from grain to the final whisky or rum, and Forss aims to create a drinking environment around Höga Kusten and Köpmanholmen together with other producers and food artisans.

Philosophy

Forss describes itself as a craft distillery for enthusiasts – a small company with its heart in the middle of Höga Kusten, where the natural environment, the sea's influence and the seasonal temperature variations unfold in the aging. They want to carry on the tradition of local ingredients (organic malt) and Swedish oak casks and to create beverages that are alike, yet different – a balance between groundedness and creativity. Values include craftsmanship, small-scale production and a strong connection to the Höga Kusten area.