Danish 'Aalborg Jubilaeums Akvavit' in SoCal?

[Johnny Pastrami]

Hello Hounds,

I have been unable to locate 'Aalborg Jubilaeums Akvavit' in SoCal. The Aalborg sold in the green bottle is a lesser quality product. I'm searching for the clear bottle with amber colored liquor. Thanks in advance.

[mucho gordo]

I would think you'd be able to get it in Solvang. If nothing else, it's a great place to spend the day and get some excellent danish pastry.

[wldtrav]

What retailer did you find that still has any Jubilaeums in stock? Do they ship? Thanks

[mucho gordo]

I don't know of any offhand. Since Solvang is a replica of a Danish village (and tourist attraction), I'm willing to bet you'd find what you want there.

[Gypsy Jan]

According to The Whiskey Exchange's website, they sell it and will ship it to the U.S. (for a fee, of course).

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-31...

[wldtrav]

Thanks for the tip. They do indeed ship to the US. The cost with shipping for three bottles (to NYC) is about US$180. The site specifically says they guarantee getting the shipment through US Customs.

I presume they do this by somehow pre-paying duty and IR charges on two bottles, since I presume there is the same duty-free limitation on shipped spirits as there is for carrying it into the US (one liter per person).

This is a guess on my part, as perhaps there are different rules allowing greater amounts to be imported via intenet-type sales.

I do know that if you get something stuck in customs at the entry point into the US, its a huge hassle to get it out.

But the site does make this "hassle-free guarantee" at check-out, so if a buyer is willing to pay about $60 per 750ml, he or she could be sipping it within a few weeks here in the USA..

ps: I looked for Canadian sellers who might ship Jubilaeums to the US. The liitations on import would be the same, but shipping could be a lot less. Unfortunately, I couldnt find any seller via googling.

Cheers!

Rob in NYC

[Gypsy Jan]

Hey Rob,

Always glad to be "servicey" (inside joke).

Best, GJ

[wldtrav]

I wrote to several email addresses in Europe, and received the following reply today (02-13-2013), from Arcus (arcus.no) in Norway, which presumably makes and/or exports Jubilaeums, and can speak with authority about the availability in the US. I'm guessing the Aalborg brand has changed hands and they're deciding where the profits are (but this is just a guess)::

"The future sales of these brands in the US is not decided yet. We will have to assess the market potential first and get a potential distributor interested, which cannot be handled overnight… So we kindly invite you to contact us again in 3 months when we have a better understanding of our US sales capability"
--- Mariel Olson, Argos Sales

ps: The importer used to be Absolut Spirits Co, here in NYC. I cannot find a website for them, but I doubt they have a reserve and in any case, they are not direct sellers.

I am posting this same message on several threads about local availability regionally for Jubilaeums.

Rob in NYC

[Akvavit]

These are the times that try mens' souls.

Penrod Ricard posted the following on:
http://www.pernod-ricard-denmark.com/dk/Om-os/Kontakt/

"All contact regarding local Danish marks Aalborg, Brøndums and Old Danish should be directed to the new owner as of January 4, 2013

The Danish Spirits Company A / S
Århusgade 88, 5 floor
2100 Copenhagen
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
Mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.ddskas.dk"
(Google Translate

)

In Oct 2012, Mr. Jensen at P-R wrote and told me that the first container of Jubilæums Akvavit had arrived in the US and was awaiting state approvals for distribution. I have not heard from him sense and a Feb 2013 email said he no longer works for P-R. I wrote to the 'info' email and to a Mr. Alsing ([e-mail]) about the current status of this shipment but have not heard back from him.

Please write to Mr. Alsing and the 'info' address asking for Jubilæums Akvavit. Let them know there is a market here for their products.

Skål,
Roy

[shabbychef]

My sleuthing revealed much of what Roy wrote above (below?): The Aalborg brand was recently sold by Pernod Ricard to Arcus. Presumably then Jubilaeums would be distributed by Kobrand spirits. (see here: http://www.arcusbeverage.com/eng/USA/ ).

To prod Arcus to do the right thing, perhaps those following this thread should contact Arcus via Jo Ann Craner (see above link for email).

cheers,

--shabby

[jdwdeville]

have you called Bar Keeper on Sunset?
they make a point of stocking hard-to-find liquors...

[liesa]

Hej,

thank you! It sounds picky, but that's not the right one.
For christmas we always drinks the Jule or Jubilæums Akvavit :-(

Anyway, thanks a lot for your help!
I’m keep on looking.

[Servorg]

I don't believe you'll find this in the LA area. If you want to check with someone that can give you the straight story calls Wally's Wines on Westwood Blvd. in WLA. Otherwise you are stuck with buying online as you can see here: http://www.aclandcellars.com.au/spiri...

[Akvavit]

Based on their website, Wally's only carries Taffel and The Beer Store only ships within Australia.

[Servorg]

"...and The Beer Store only ships within Australia."

I think that may not be the case since they have this on their website FAQ:

"Although an order can’t be placed online for overseas deliveries, orders can be placed by fax, phone or email. For more information regarding your specific requirements, please use our contact form."

[Akvavit]

I didn't dig that deeply, Australia was the only option on the web form. AU$ 69.99 + S&H could make it a tad expensive (lots of Scottish blood here LOL).

[Servorg]

If you can't get it any other way, and your itch is deep enough, one generally finds the price not to be an issue in the final analysis when nothing else will scratch that itch...

[Akvavit]

LOL you must not be Scottish.

[Servorg]

Bad example (at least to me). I drove from London and ended up on the Isle of Skye in 1980. Went into a bakery to pick up a couple of things and the owners kept giving us (3 Australian's I met at my B&B near Victoria Station in London) free things, insisting we just needed to try them.

It was so embarrassing after a while that we finally said we needed to get back on the road. As we walked across the parking lot back to our car he came running after us, calling out "Here's one more thing you just have to have!"

I can never again think of the Scottish being overly "thrifty" after that encounter.

[Akvavit]

It's nice to know there exceptions to the rule. :-)

[wldtrav]

Greetings and Happy New Year from New York City.

For what its worth, I've been trying to buy Jubilaeums here for many months with no success. My local liquor store made inquiries and was told "not available." I've also inquired of some of the "better" wine and spirit stores here in Manhattan, but no one seems to have any, nor any information as to when it can be expected.

I've written to Pernod in Denmark, but they've never bothered to respond. I see someone did get a reply earlier in the year, but I gather they've not succeeded in renewing whatever import agreements etc are required.

Must be a lack of demand. Can't be the price: here in NYC, it only cost about $23/bottle.

Too bad. I've enjoyed this product for decades. I've never found another aquavit (by any distiller) which even approximates the taste.

I've tried on line but it looks like it can only be ordered from the UK or Australia, and the shipping (plus American import limitations), make it an unsuitable choice.

Hope someone gets better news one of these days.

[Servorg]

Here is another Australian spirits store that looks like it is well set up for international shipping. Again, if you really want it then the added cost of bringing it in shouldn't be an absolute impediment to acquiring some: http://www.nicks.com.au/Product/View/...

[EarlyBird]

Try the Wine House on Cotner in West LA. They have everything.

[liesa]

Hej there,

I’m looking also for the Jule Akvavit or Jubilæums Akvavit!
Do you got know already a place where to buy it in the US???

Thank you.
Best
liesa

[Akvavit]

Liesa,

Jule is not a export item, though I too want to try it, you will just have to make a trip to DK to get some. I have not heard back from Mr. Jensen about Jubilæums in stores yet. It is supposed to have been shipped however.

[Akvavit]

7/11/12 Just received the following:

Dear Roy

Thanks for your interest in our product.
We are working hard for the moment for getting Aalborg Jubilæums Akvavit and Gammel Dansk Bitter Dram back to the US market.
We have today more or less everything ready and only need to have approval of the labels from TTB.
Our Distributor or Agent would be the same as we have today for Kijafa. (MHW Ltd).
We will probably ship the first container in end September.
I will save your letter and this email and then come back to you when we have shipped the first order to USA.
In the meantime please visit the following WEB site:

www.aalborgakvavit.dk

www.gammeldansk.dk

Best regards

Michael Øst Jensen
Pernod Ricard Denmark A/S
Export

[tjstawicki]

Hello Michael,

I happened to come across this thread while looking to acquire Gammel Dansk Bitter Dram in the USA. Any update on availability here?

Kind regards,

Tom Stawicki

[joshekg]

Here you go:

Total Wine and More: Tustin
Manhattan Fine Wines: Manhattan Beach
Robert Burns Wines: Beverly Hills
Le Petit Vendome Wine & Spirits: Pasadena

-----
Manhattan Fine Wines
1157 Artesia Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266