Coffee Spirit Co Ltd is the Yorkshire producer behind NORSE CODE, an award-winning range of coffee-first liqueurs challenging traditional sweet-style coffee liqueurs.
Developed by UK Brewers Cup Champion Gordon Howell using Coffee Spirit Co’s Cold-Filter Brew process, NORSE CODE is built around real brewed coffee, clarity and cocktail performance.
Hel Above — IWSC Gold 95/100, highest-scoring UK coffee liqueur on record
Hel Below — England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner, World Liqueur Awards 2026
Hel Below — Gold Medal, Global Liqueur Masters 2025
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This page provides key information for journalists, editors, bloggers, trade buyers and media contacts covering NORSE CODE, Coffee Spirit Co and its award-winning Yorkshire coffee liqueurs.
Coffee Spirit Co co-founders Yan and coffee expert Gordon Howell in York. Gordon Howell is a UK Brewers Cup Champion, UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion, 3rd Place World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship finisher and 7th Place World Brewers Cup finalist.
Press Coverage
York Press | June 2026
York Press reported on Coffee Spirit Co following Hel Below being named England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards.
The feature highlighted Coffee Spirit Co’s Yorkshire roots, the story behind NORSE CODE and Hel Below’s success at the World Liqueur Awards.
MSN Syndication | June 2026
The York Press feature covering NORSE CODE’s World Liqueur Awards success was syndicated nationally via MSN, extending coverage beyond regional press.
Why NORSE CODE Is Newsworthy
- Yorkshire coffee liqueur brand with major UK and international spirits competition recognition.
- Hel Above scored 95/100 and won IWSC Gold, the highest score for a UK coffee liqueur on record.
- Hel Below was named England Coffee Liqueur Country Winner at the 2026 World Liqueur Awards.
- Developed by UK Brewers Cup Champion and UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion Gordon Howell.
- Built around real brewed coffee, controlled extraction and cocktail performance.
- Part of a growing shift toward coffee-first premium liqueurs for Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness shots and modern coffee cocktails.
Awards & Recognition
- IWSC 2026: Hel Above — Gold Medal, 95/100.
- World Liqueur Awards 2026: Hel Below — Country Winner, England Coffee Liqueur.
- Global Liqueur Masters 2025: Hel Below — Gold Medal.
- International Spirits Challenge 2025: Hel Above — Bronze Medal.
About Coffee Spirit Co & NORSE CODE
Coffee Spirit Co Ltd is the Yorkshire-based producer of NORSE CODE, an award-winning range of coffee liqueurs developed by UK Brewers Cup Champion Gordon Howell. Founded by drinks industry professional Yan and coffee expert Gordon Howell, the company combines speciality coffee expertise with small-batch spirit production.
Using its Cold-Filter Brew process, NORSE CODE is designed to showcase real coffee character while delivering strong cocktail performance. The range includes Hel Above, a 22% ABV expression developed for Espresso Martinis, and Hel Below, a richer 16% ABV expression designed for Baby Guinness shots, layered serves and smoother coffee cocktails.
NORSE CODE sits within a new generation of coffee-first liqueurs: less focused on heavy sweetness, more focused on brewed coffee flavour, balance and performance in serve.
Produced in Yorkshire and available in both retail and trade formats, NORSE CODE is supplied to bars, restaurants, hotels and coffee lovers throughout the UK.
Short Media Description
Coffee Spirit Co Ltd produces NORSE CODE, an award-winning range of Yorkshire coffee liqueurs developed by UK Brewers Cup Champion Gordon Howell. Crafted using a Cold-Filter Brew process, NORSE CODE is designed for Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness shots and modern coffee cocktails.
Key Facts
- Company: Coffee Spirit Co Ltd
- Brand: NORSE CODE
- Category: Coffee liqueur
- Location: Yorkshire, England
- Core products: Hel Above, Hel Below and EX-01 Exceptional Series
- Production method: Cold-Filter Brew coffee liqueur
- Formats: 70cl bottles and 4.9 litre trade tubs
- Trade use: Espresso Martinis, Baby Guinness shots and coffee cocktails
- Developed by: UK Brewers Cup Champion Gordon Howell
- Founded by: Drinks industry professional Yan and coffee expert Gordon Howell
Founder Information
Gordon Howell is co-founder of Coffee Spirit Co and one of the UK’s most accomplished coffee professionals.
Yan is co-founder of Coffee Spirit Co and leads the commercial development of NORSE CODE, overseeing hospitality partnerships, wholesale distribution, strategic growth and route-to-market development across the UK.
Learn more about Coffee Spirit Co
Media Assets
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Media Contact
Yan
Coffee Spirit Co Ltd
Email: sales@coffeespiritco.com
Website: coffeespiritco.com