Norrbotten is home to a thrilling and unique biodiversity. The vast, open landscape can seem hostile at first. After all, it inhabits predators such as bears, wolves and golden eagles, and mythical creatures like reindeer, lynx and the wolverine. But underneath the seemingly harsh exterior lies an untold story of myths and legends. The old sagas name the wild mountains in the west and talk of a place where the rivers that flow to the east. And because the sun never sets during summer, its warmth creates the unique aromas and flavours of the berries and botanicals that we use. We have chosen this place to be the home of our gin, liberated from alcohol.

2097 is crafted from wild-growing berries and botanicals found in northern Sweden. They are picked with the utmost care and we follow the ’leave no trace’ philosophy of the Sami people and their respect for nature. Birch leaf, spruce and cloudberry are gathered by hand in Jokkmokk during the summer months, selected at perfect ripeness. And the destillery is located right next to the Kalix river that springs from a crack in a rock in the northern Kebnekaise mountain range. Peaking at 2097 metres, the highest point in Sweden, Kebnekaise is where our story really begins. And from its high peaks flow the waters, including the river Kalix, that nourish the whole county of Norrbotten. The name Kalix itself is believed to originate from the Sami word Gáláseatnu meaning ’cold river’. 280 miles of pure, elemental water, wild and untamed, flowing from mountains through rock, ice and snow, under green forest. This feeds the land and create the perfect conditions for our berries.

The distinctive berries and botanicals we use in 2097 create a complex sensory experience. The notes are juniper, lingonberry, grapefruit, cloudberry, citrus and a layer of earthy notes and a hint of spice. We have, in our gin tried to encapsulate and, at the same time, retain a sense of the fantastical terroir of the mythical North.

2097 was developed over four years with scientists at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and Örebro University. Our research led us to totally rethink the maceration and distillation process, which ended in a complete reconstruction of the traditional method of crafting a gin.

At Oddbird we produce quality beverages which are gently liberated from alcohol in order to preserve the full flavours of nature. But liberated from alcohol does not only mean its removal. It means liberation from from the norm where alcohol forms an integral part of meeting together. Liberation is the ability to chose with or without alcohol. Liberation is the democratisation of drinking culture. Our botanical spirit is a step in this direction, and we believe that by the year of 2097 humans will be liberated.