Our Story, Who we are.
Gordon & Yan
Similar to the fusion of coffee and vodka, The coffee spirit company was established in Yorkshire, with a resolute commitment to craft our own coffee liqueur to impeccable standards.
Crafted from a fervor for premium artisanal coffee and meticulously balanced spirits, Gordon and Yan boast expertise at the pinnacle of these individual crafts.
Having amassed over three decades of unparalleled mastery in the realm of coffee and specialty beverages, we have engaged in global competition with the industry's elite, garnering numerous prestigious accolades along the way, culminating in this inevitable collaboration.
Gordon & Coffee
Our coffee journey is steered by the legendary brewmaster Gordon Howell.
Gordon has been remarkably engaged in the global coffee competition scene, having represented the UK in both the 2015 WBrC (7th Place) and the 2013 WCIGS(3rd Place) as well as acting as a sensory judge in the UKBC (2013 & 2014) and UKCIGS (2014 & 2105). Was a SCA accredited trainer for over 10 years in the dark arts of barista skills and brewing.
Gordon now only focuses on a one to one tailored approach geared to helping other coffee professionals gain intermediate and professional accreditation. His wealth of experience in the world of speciality coffee, from the day to day operation of running a coffee shop to competing, judging and teaching at the highest level is complemented by his training in hospitality management (BSc) and export management (MSc).
Gordon also assists the WCE with competition development as well as having been a Dalla Corte Pro, and most recently is one of the founders of Tone brewing equipment, who are pioneering new approaches to incorporating bolierless technology with smart multifunctional interfaces. This technology allows complete control of all the brewing parameters, and has led Gordon to create a new approach to making cold brew on a filter Coffee machine.
“The cold filter brew” is now possible. Delivering precise extraction of coffee whilst controlling the bitterness that can be associated with other methods such as cold brew, iced brewing and espresso. These results deliver some of the finest tasting cold brewed Coffee. Giving Norse Code the control we require to get the best out of some of the world’s finest single estate coffee.
Yan & The Drinks Industry
Yan, during the prolonged span of the past decade, has cemented his presence in the brewing and hospitality sector. He has recently played a pivotal role in establishing and enhancing an acclaimed speciality cask wholesalers, brewery, and pub enterprise.
Yan blazed a trail in the UK craft beer scene. Unleashing the Euston Tap and other cutting-edge drink spots. Pioneering first pours from renowned breweries like Stone, Thornbridge, Odell, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Cantilon.
Yan collaborated with up-and-coming brands to cultivate distribution and enhance visibility for esteemed names such as BrewDog, Camden, Beavertown, and Magic Rock. Furthermore, he engaged in distribution endeavors with Sipsmith up north back in 2011.
He has collaborated with renowned beer labels for iconic bands such as Madness and Spandau Ballet, while also bringing in exclusive and unique beverages to the UK.
Serving numerous award-winning venues and beer festivals, along with introducing new brands. Creating innovative products and providing distribution solutions.
Dave, Danelaw and our Beans
Thanks to our friend Dave Jameson founder of coffee roasters Dane Law (Holmfirth Yorkshire) We only use coffee that has full traceability to the farmer and are classed as speciality.
Our current Norse Code Hel's coffee contains beans sourced from Honduras and farmed by Rosely.
Read her and Dave’s story here.
Dave is a 2-time UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion, a Q-Arabica grader (licensed professional coffee taster) and I coached the 2017 World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion. I have judged the World Barista Championship and been the master of ceremonies for coffee championships across Europe.
Dave is a World Coffee Events AllStar and has made coffee on 5 continents. He has been working in coffee for almost 18 years now, from multinationals to small Indies.
He's been responsible for coffees that have won over 50 Great Taste Award stars since 2017.
Why Hel and Norse Code?
With the Norse links to the spiritual home of the company in kings square York, Gordon's coffee shop borders the former palace of the Norse King Erik Bloodaxe.
The well documented remarks of Pope Clement VIII;
“This Satan's drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it.” fused together the idea of Norse legends and the keeper of the underworld Hel.
So the idea of the Norse Code's Goddess Hel, was born.
