The uniqueness of Ólafsson gin is the Icelandic water
So says Arnar Jón Agnarsson, CEO of Eyland Spirits, whose gin has won international awards.
Arnar is a true adventurer, having worked as a professional handball player, been in the fishing industry, and is now completely obsessed with golf. He says the idea for Ólafsson gin actually came to him during a fishing trip when a discussion about Icelandic production took off. The initial idea was to go into the production and export of whisky, but it then evolved into gin production.
The first test batches of the gin were made in Arnar's home kitchen, so the journey has taken some time. However, it has exceeded all expectations, says Arnar, even though the country shut down during Covid, which led to a decrease in sales. But we've done well, he says.
Arnar says the focus is on working with professionals in every aspect, from design and production to marketing. The name is quintessentially Icelandic and comes from Eggert Ólafsson, who, he says, is not known to everyone. Eggert wrote a travel book with Bjarni Pálsson that is an important historical source about conditions in Iceland in earlier times.
This is an enjoyable and informative interview that covers the journey of the gin production and the company's vision for the future.
You can listen to the podcast below, and it is also available to watch on YouTube.
