Overview | IWSC Gold | World Liqueur Awards | Global Liqueur Masters | Timeline | Awards By Product | Coffee Expertise | Why It Matters | Learn More
NORSE CODE Awards & Recognition
NORSE CODE is an award-winning Yorkshire coffee liqueur range recognised by major independent drinks competitions including the International Wine & Spirit Competition, World Liqueur Awards, Global Liqueur Masters and International Spirits Challenge.
Hel Above was awarded IWSC Gold with 95 points, while Hel Below was named England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner at the World Liqueur Awards and awarded Gold at the Global Liqueur Masters.
Together, these results help establish Coffee Spirit Co as one of Britain’s most independently recognised coffee liqueur producers.
Recognition At A Glance
| Product | Award | What It Supports |
|---|---|---|
| Hel Above | IWSC Gold, 95/100 | Espresso Martini performance, coffee clarity and premium quality |
| Hel Below | World Liqueur Awards Country Winner — England Coffee Liqueur | Baby Guinness, layered serves and smoother coffee cocktails |
| Hel Below | Global Liqueur Masters Gold | Balance, texture and coffee-led liqueur quality |
| Hel Above | International Spirits Challenge Bronze | Early independent recognition for cocktail-focused coffee liqueur |
IWSC Gold Medal — 95 Points
Hel Above — 95-Point IWSC Gold Coffee Liqueur
NORSE CODE Hel Above was awarded Gold with 95 points at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
The IWSC confirmed Hel Above is the highest-scoring UK coffee liqueur on record and the first UK coffee liqueur to win IWSC Gold.
Hel Above is our 22% ABV coffee liqueur developed specifically for Espresso Martinis, using a Cold-Filter Brew coffee process shaped by competition coffee expertise.
IWSC Judges’ Tasting Note
"Ripe dark fruits and freshly brewed coffee aromas lead seamlessly to a palate where gentle spice and delicate bitterness mingle with a balanced sweetness. The finish lingers with a satisfying chewiness and a subtle, refreshing dryness that truly captivates."
IWSC Gold Medal — 95 Points
World Liqueur Awards 2026
Hel Below — Country Winner, England Coffee Liqueur
NORSE CODE Hel Below was named Country Winner for England in the Coffee Liqueur category at the World Liqueur Awards 2026.
This recognition is significant because the World Liqueur Awards judge liqueurs by category and country, helping customers, bartenders and trade buyers identify standout products in specific styles.
For Hel Below, the award supports its role as a richer, smoother coffee liqueur built for Baby Guinness shots, layered serves and approachable coffee cocktails.
Global Liqueur Masters
Hel Below — Gold Medal
Hel Below received Gold at the Global Liqueur Masters, recognising its balance, coffee character, texture and overall quality.
This matters because Hel Below is designed to do more than add sweetness. It has to carry real coffee flavour, provide body in layered drinks and remain smooth enough for after-dinner serves.
The Gold medal supports Hel Below’s position as a premium coffee liqueur for Baby Guinness shots, layered cocktails and smoother Espresso Martinis.
International Spirits Challenge
Hel Above — Bronze Medal
Before its IWSC Gold 95-point result, NORSE CODE Hel Above was also recognised at the International Spirits Challenge.
Hel Above is the stronger 22% ABV expression in the NORSE CODE range, built for Espresso Martinis and coffee-forward cocktails where structure, clarity and real coffee depth matter.
This early recognition helped validate Hel Above as a serious trade and cocktail-focused coffee liqueur for bars looking beyond mainstream coffee liqueur brands.
Awards Timeline
A simple overview of independent recognition received by NORSE CODE coffee liqueurs.
2025
Global Liqueur Masters
Hel Below
Gold Medal
2025
International Spirits Challenge
Hel Above
Bronze Medal
2026
World Liqueur Awards
Hel Below
Country Winner — England Coffee Liqueur
2026
International Wine & Spirit Competition
Hel Above
Gold Medal — 95 Points
Awards By Product
Hel Above
Hel Above is our 22% ABV coffee liqueur designed for Espresso Martinis and coffee-forward cocktails.
- IWSC 2026 — Gold Medal, 95 Points
- Highest-scoring UK coffee liqueur on record and first UK coffee liqueur to win IWSC Gold.
- International Spirits Challenge — Bronze Medal
- Developed for Espresso Martinis
- Cold-filter brewed in Yorkshire
Hel Below
Hel Below is our richer 16% ABV coffee liqueur designed for Baby Guinness shots, layered cocktails, smoother Espresso Martinis and after-dinner serves.
- World Liqueur Awards 2026 — Country Winner for England
- Global Liqueur Masters — Gold Medal
- Developed for Baby Guinness and layered serves
- Cold-filter brewed in Yorkshire
EX-01
EX-01 is the first release in the NORSE CODE Exceptional Series, created to showcase rare coffee, precision brewing and spirit craftsmanship at a higher level.
- Limited to 26 bottles
- Built around Carlos Arcila Colombian Gesha
- Roasted by Matthew Robley-Siemonsma
- Created to frame rare coffee character
The Coffee Behind The Awards
Great coffee creates great coffee liqueur.
NORSE CODE is built around speciality coffee, Cold-Filter Brew extraction and the coffee expertise of Gordon Howell.
- UK Brewers Cup Champion
- UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
- World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship 3rd Place
- World Brewers Cup 7th Place
- Coffee competition judge
- Coffee trainer and educator
- Co-founder of Tone Brewing Equipment
This competition coffee background shaped the development of our Cold-Filter Brew process and remains central to every batch we produce.
Why Independent Recognition Matters
Awards are not the reason we make NORSE CODE, but independent recognition matters because it gives trade buyers, bartenders and customers a clear signal of quality.
Our awards recognise flavour, balance, texture, coffee character and cocktail performance — the same qualities we focus on in every batch.
They also support our belief that coffee liqueur should be built around real coffee, not simply sweetness.
What Makes NORSE CODE Different?
- Cold-Filter Brew coffee extraction.
- Yorkshire-made coffee liqueur.
- Developed by coffee professionals.
- Designed for Espresso Martinis and Baby Guinness serves.
- Real speciality coffee at the heart of every batch.
- Available in 70cl bottles and 4.9 litre trade tubs.
- Small-batch production.
- Independent coffee-led development.
- Major awards across both Hel Above and Hel Below.
Press Recognition
NORSE CODE has also received media coverage following its award success, including regional press coverage and national syndication.
York Press
York Press reported on Coffee Spirit Co following Hel Below being named England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards.
MSN Syndication
The York Press feature covering NORSE CODE’s World Liqueur Awards success was syndicated nationally via MSN, extending coverage beyond regional press.
Media & Trade Enquiries
For press, hospitality, wholesale or trade enquiries relating to NORSE CODE awards, product availability or coffee liqueur supply, contact Coffee Spirit Co.