2018 · The name
Norwegian roots, Icelandic craft
The Hovdenak name traces back to Molde in Norway, where the family comes from. Hovdenak Distillery was founded in Hafnarfjörður in 2018 and brings together Norwegian heritage and Icelandic ingredients.
The beginning
From experiments to award winner
Stuðlaberg Gin, our first product, came out of years of experimenting and development – of both the recipes and the equipment that is still used in production today.
The people
A small family business
Hovdenak Distillery is run by Hákon Hovdenak and Brynja Hjaltalín. Hákon runs the distillery and production, Brynja marketing and sales.
The distillery
Designed and built by us
Our distillery is advanced and automated – and largely designed and built by Hákon himself. We distil under vacuum, so the spirit distils at a lower temperature and turns out smoother, and we heat with geothermal water only – which earned us the title “Sustainable Distillery of the Year” at the Icons of Gin 2024.
Partners
In good company
We love working with well-established Icelandic brands. Te & Kaffi has been our partner since 2019, we make the Þristur liqueur together with Kólus and Appolo Lakkrís together with Góa.
Bottling
We produce for others too
We keep renewing our equipment for new products and run a powerful, high-capacity bottling line. We are happy to take on production and bottling for other companies – get in touch at info@distillery.is.
Awards
Awarded around the world
Our products have won awards in almost every competition they have entered, and we have worked with International Drinks Specialists for years.
Where to buy
All over Iceland – and across the Atlantic
Our products are available all over Iceland, almost wherever you look. They have now reached the United States too, together with Longship Liquors.