Nordlys gives Bareksten's London dry gin a visual reference to the northern lights, but its flavour remains firmly anchored in classic botanicals. Made by OSS Craft Distillery in Norway and bottled at 41% ABV, this is a separate bottle from Bareksten Botanical Gin and from Nordlys Vodka. The 500 ml format and bright aurora-inspired label help distinguish it on the shelf. In the glass, the more important details are the juniper, citrus and spice identified by the distillery's distributor and by the World Gin Awards tasting panel.

The aroma opens with pine-like juniper and crisp citrus, followed by a small floral lift. A little coriander oil and spice become clearer as the gin moves across the palate. The finish is dry, with deeper rooty and earthy notes rather than a sweet aftertaste. This progression gives Nordlys a familiar London dry outline but keeps it from feeling flat: freshness at the start, botanical weight in the middle and a clean exit. The northern-lights name belongs to the bottle's identity, while the sensory interest comes from that careful change of emphasis.

The gin was named Norway's Country Winner in the London Dry Gin category at the World Gin Awards 2026. The judges' notes mention juniper, coriander, citrus and a rooty, earthy side, a useful independent tasting reference for this specific bottle. Its producer, OSS Craft Distillery, works on Norway's west coast. Those details ground the gin much more effectively than a general story about Scandinavian wilderness would. Nordlys is best approached as a precise 41% London dry with a distinctive Norwegian presentation, not as a flavoured gin whose colour promises unusual sweetness.

For a first long drink, pour 4 cl into a balloon glass full of clear ice and add around 10 cl of chilled Indian tonic. Slip a narrow lemon peel into the glass and place a few coriander seeds on a small plate beside it. The peel repeats the bright opening; coriander gives an optional aromatic cue to the spice already present. Keep the coriander out of the liquid and adjust the tonic only if needed. The dry finish also makes Nordlys a sound choice for a straightforward Martini, where the juniper and deeper botanical notes can be followed without interference.