Awards & Recognition

Home of England's Best Coffee Liqueur

NORSE CODE Hel Below was named England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards.

Combined with a Gold Medal at the Global Liqueur Masters and recognition across the speciality coffee and spirits industries, these awards reflect our commitment to creating exceptional Yorkshire coffee liqueurs.

World Liqueur Awards 2026

Country Winner — England

NORSE CODE Hel Below was awarded England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner at the World Liqueur Awards 2026.

The World Liqueur Awards recognise outstanding liqueurs from around the world, judged by industry experts through blind tasting.

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Global Liqueur Masters

Gold Medal Winner

Hel Below received Gold at the Global Liqueur Masters, recognising its balance, coffee character, texture and overall quality.

The competition is judged blind by leading spirits professionals and remains one of the most respected awards programmes in the drinks industry.

International Spirits Challenge

Bronze Medal

NORSE CODE Hel Above was recognised at the International Spirits Challenge, one of the world's most established and respected spirits competitions.

This award recognised the quality and cocktail versatility of our stronger Espresso Martini-focused coffee liqueur.

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The Coffee Behind The Awards

Great coffee creates great coffee liqueur.

NORSE CODE is built around speciality coffee supplied by Yorkshire roaster Danelaw Coffee and developed through the expertise of Gordon Howell.

UK Brewers Cup Champion
UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
Coffee Competition Judge
Coffee Trainer & 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.

What Makes NORSE CODE Different?

Cold-Filter Brew extraction.
Yorkshire-made coffee liqueur.
Created 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.

Learn More

England's Best Coffee Liqueur Best Coffee Liqueur For Baby Guinness Best Coffee Liqueur UK About Coffee Spirit Co

THE COFFEE SPIRIT COMPANY

Born from the fusion of coffee and vodka, the Coffee Spirit Company was established in Yorkshire with a single mission: to craft coffee liqueur to impeccable standards.

Driven by a passion for premium, artisanal coffee and meticulously balanced spirits, Gordon and Yan bring decades of expertise at the very pinnacle of their crafts. Over more than 30 years, they’ve competed globally against the industry’s best, earning numerous prestigious accolades along the way.

This unrivalled mastery and shared dedication to quality has led to a natural and inevitable collaboration, delivering coffee liqueurs that are bold, refined, and distinctly Yorkshire.

COFFEE PEDIGREE

Our journey begins with Gordon Howell, legendary brewmaster and head of coffee at Norse Code. Gordon has represented the UK in global coffee competitions, including 2015 WBrC (7th place) and 2013 WCIGS (3rd place), and has served as a sensory judge for the UKBC (2013 & 2014) and UK CIGS (2014 & 2015).

For over a decade, he was an SCA-accredited trainer, teaching barista skills and brewing mastery. Today, he focuses on one-to-one mentoring, helping coffee professionals gain intermediate and professional accreditation. His expertise spans daily coffee shop operations, competition judging, and advanced brewing techniques.

Gordon also contributes to World Coffee Events, has been a Dalla Corte Pro, and co-founded Tone Brewing Equipment, innovating in coffee technology worldwide. Every Norse Code product benefits from his precision, experience, and unparalleled skill.

THE DRINKS INDUSTRY

Over the past decade, Yan has shaped the UK craft beer and hospitality sector. He has pioneered award-winning venues like The Euston Tap, introduced first pours from breweries such as Stone, Thornbridge, Odell, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, and Cantillon, and collaborated with emerging brands like BrewDog, Camden, Beavertown, and Magic Rock.

He has also worked on distribution for Sipsmith in the north, developed bespoke beverages distribution for iconic bands like Madness and Spandau Ballet, and introduced exclusive imports to the UK. Yan’s expertise ensures Norse Code is built on innovation, quality, and deep industry insight, supporting both trade and consumer excellence.

DANELAW, ROASTING & OUR BEANS

Thanks to Dave Jameson, founder of Dane Law Coffee Roasters in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, we only use speciality-grade beans with full traceability.

Hel Above and Below Coffee Liqueur features beans with Medium roast blend of washed and natural coffees from Latin America.

Dave’s credentials are remarkable:

Two-time UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
Q-Arabica Grader (licensed professional coffee taster)
Coach of the 2017 World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
Judge at the World Barista Championship and master of ceremonies for coffee events across Europe
World Coffee Events AllStar, with experience spanning five continents
Responsible for coffees that have won over 50 Great Taste Award stars

Every bottle of Norse Code coffee liqueur reflects this expert craftsmanship and dedication to flavour.

WHY THE HEL?

In Norse mythology, Hel is the goddess of the underworld, balancing life and death. Her story intertwines with the history of modern-day York, founded on the Viking settlement of Jorvik. Archaeology, folklore, and city heritage still reflect her influence.

Adding another layer of resonance, our coffee is crafted on the former site of Erik Bloodaxe’s palace in York, blending ancient myth and local history with modern craftsmanship. Every sip of Hel’s Coffee Liqueur is a journey through legend, heritage, and exceptional flavour.