What Vikre Distillery does

Vikre Distillery is a privately held, founder-owned craft distillery headquartered at 525 S Lake Ave in Duluth, Minnesota, operating since 2014. The company produces an organic-certified portfolio of botanical spirits built on foraged Northwoods ingredients (cedar, spruce, juniper) and water cut with Lake Superior source water. Its core range spans the Boreal Gin trio (Juniper, Cedar, Spruce), the Bar Masters Series of liqueurs and modifiers (Herbal Liqueur, Amaro Superiore, Aperitivo Classico) developed over 8 years, Lake Superior Vodka, two aquavits (Øvrevann unaged and Voyageur Cognac-barrel aged), and three whiskeys (Sugarbush, Temperance River Rye, Honor Brand Hay & Sunshine). Co-founders Emily Vikre (PhD in nutrition/food policy, Norwegian dual citizen) and Joel Vikre lead operations, supported by a small team including a Director of Distillery Operations, production manager, distiller, and cocktail-room staff. Strategic brewing is outsourced to Bent Paddle Brewing Company for all-malt barley distiller's beer.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining direct-to-consumer sales at the Duluth cocktail room (free tours, $55/person private tastings, 375ml/750ml bottle and 4-pack canned cocktail sales) with wholesale distribution via a network of regional distributors covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., and a single account in Denmark. The company sells into approximately 195 Minnesota retail locations and 71+ on-premise restaurants and bars carrying Boreal Gin, supplemented by private events, cocktail competitions, and lifestyle collaborations (e.g., Anthropologie, Lyric Opera of the North). Pricing is unit-based and pay-as-you-go at both direct and wholesale tiers. Marketing is content-led via the Blogavulin blog, Instagram, an email newsletter, and earned media in Food52 and MPR News.

Name

Vikre Distillery

Legal name

Vikre Distillery

Website

https://vikredistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Craft Distilleries & Microdistilleries (THAFALAH), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft distilled spirits
• Botanical gin production
• Organic aquavit distillery
• Northwoods craft spirits
• Artisan liqueur manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Duluth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Cocktail Room and Bar Sales: Direct sales of cocktails, spirits by the bottle, and tasting experiences to consumers visiting the Duluth distillery. Offers tours, private tasting experiences ($55/person), and sells bottles (375ml and 750ml) and 4-packs of canned cocktails.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Products sold through regional distributors to liquor stores and restaurants across multiple states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Products also available at one bar in Denmark.
3. Private Events: Revenue from hosting private events, cocktail competitions, and special occasions at the distillery venue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vikre Distillery is a craft distillery in Duluth, Minnesota that hand-produces a portfolio of USDA Organic botanical spirits, including gins, aquavits, vodka, liqueurs, and whiskeys, distilled with foraged Northwoods botanicals and Lake Superior water. The company operates a public cocktail room and distillery bar that serves tasting experiences, tours, and direct bottle sales to consumers, alongside multi-state wholesale distribution through regional partners.

Product overview

Vikre Distillery is an award-winning craft distillery in Duluth, Minnesota producing a portfolio of organic botanical spirits. The product line centers on the Boreal Gin Series (Juniper, Cedar, and Spruce gins) featuring foraged botanicals from the North Woods, the Bar Masters Series of liqueurs (Herbal Liqueur, Amaro Superiore, and Aperitivo Classico) developed over 8 years for their cocktail room, aquavits (Øvrevann unaged and Voyageur cognac-barrel aged) honoring Scandinavian heritage, Lake Superior Vodka made with the world's purest freshwater, and whiskeys (Sugarbush with maple notes, Temperance River Rye, and Hay & Sunshine). All spirits are certified organic, distilled with foraged botanicals, and designed for exceptional cocktail use as well as sipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Boreal Gin: Product line featuring three gin varieties: Juniper Gin, Cedar Gin, and Spruce Gin, made with foraged botanicals
• Bar Masters Series
• Lake Superior Vodka
• Øvrevann Aquavit
• Voyageur Aquavit
• Honor Brand Hay & Sunshine Whiskey

Products and services

• Boreal Juniper Gin Traditional gin with juniper as the dominant botanical, offering a classic gin experience made with foraged Northwoods botanicals. Targeted at craft cocktail enthusiasts and home bartenders.
• Boreal Cedar Gin Gin infused with toasted cedar wood, providing a distinctive wet Northwoods aroma and flavor profile. Targeted at craft cocktail enthusiasts seeking unique regional flavors.
• Boreal Spruce Gin Gin featuring spruce botanicals, delivering piney and fresh flavors reminiscent of northern forests. Targeted at craft cocktail enthusiasts and adventurous home bartenders.
• Herbal Liqueur Botanical liqueur made with dozens of secret herbs, designed as a digestif without monks or artificial additives. Targeted at craft cocktail enthusiasts and bar programs.
• Amaro Superiore Bar Masters Series bitter liqueur with citrus, baking spice, dandelion and sarsaparilla, balanced with marmalade sweetness. Targeted at craft cocktail enthusiasts and Negroni drinkers.
• Aperitivo Classico Handmade aperitif infused with local rhubarb, hibiscus, sweet orange, bitter orange, and gentian for a gently bitter, citrusy profile. Targeted at craft cocktail enthusiasts and Spritz drinkers.
• Lake Superior Vodka Vodka distilled from malted barley, corn, and wheat, cut with pure Lake Superior water, featuring subtle honey and vanilla notes. Targeted at vodka consumers seeking premium craft options.
• Øvrevann Aquavit Unaged Scandinavian-style aquavit infused with caraway, cardamom, fennel and citrus, named in Norwegian for Lake Superior. Targeted at aquavit enthusiasts and Nordic cocktail drinkers.
• Voyageur Aquavit Aged aquavit matured over a year in Cognac barrels, honoring French voyageurs who founded Duluth, with complex oaky and floral finish. Targeted at premium spirits collectors and sipping enthusiasts.
• Honor Brand Hay & Sunshine Whiskey Blended whiskey from the Honor Brand distillery partnership, featuring hay and sunshine grain characteristics. Targeted at whiskey drinkers and cocktail programs.
• Sugarbush Whiskey Whiskey featuring maple syrup notes from sugarbush maple trees, reflecting the Northwoods terroir of the region. Targeted at whiskey enthusiasts seeking regional flavors.
• Temperance River Rye Rye whiskey named for the Temperance River in Minnesota's North Shore, featuring bold rye character. Targeted at rye whiskey enthusiasts and classic cocktail programs.
• Chai Vodka Limited seasonal fall/winter spirit infused with chai spices. Targeted at seasonal vodka and craft cocktail consumers.
• Strawberry Rhubarb Gin Limited seasonal/pre-order botanical gin featuring strawberry and rhubarb. Targeted at seasonal gin enthusiasts and craft cocktail consumers.
• Private Tasting Experience Private tasting experience at the distillery for up to 12 people at $55/person, including tasting of spirits, cocktail crafting, and a souvenir rocks glass. Targeted at groups, celebrations, and corporate outings.
• Distillery Tours Free public distillery tours offered on Mondays and Fridays at 5 PM, limited to 16 people per tour. Targeted at visitors, tourists, and spirits enthusiasts exploring the Duluth distillery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Featured in national publications including Food52 and MPR news
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Johnson BrotherscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary distribution partner for Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin markets. Johnson Brothers is a large regional wine and spirits distributor serving the Upper Midwest.
• Maverick Wine Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Illinois market, bringing Vikre products to Chicago area consumers and retailers.
• Imperial BeveragecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Michigan market, expanding Vikre's reach to the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula.
• Lanterna Distributors Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. markets.
• Bent Paddle Brewing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic brewing partner that brews all-malt barley distiller's beer for Vikre. Has also created botanical-infused barrel-aged beers. Located in Duluth, MN.
• Northern Waters SmokehausminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScandinavian-inspired cured meat producer collaborated on cocktail and food pairing events. Provided charcuterie for Midsommar party and happy hour collaborations.
• Lyric Opera of the NorthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal arts organization sponsored by Vikre Distillery. Performers held events at the distillery.
• AnthropologieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFashion retailer collaborated on spring/summer fashion show, with Vikre developing signature cocktail recipes for the event and participating in a photo shoot.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/VIKREDISTILLERY
• Xx.com/vikredistillery
• Facebookfacebook.com/418312985223544

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vikre Distillery