Why Is It Called Norse Code?
York & Jorvik | King's Square | Hel Above & Hel Below | Coffee Meets Heritage | Norse Code Today
Norse Code was born in York, a city shaped by centuries of history, trade, craftsmanship and coffee culture. While our focus is firmly on producing exceptional coffee liqueurs, the name itself is inspired by York's unique connection to the Norse world.
York was once known as Jorvik, one of the most important Viking cities in Europe. More than a thousand years later, that heritage remains woven into the city's streets, archaeology and identity.
When we set out to create a coffee liqueur that reflected both quality and place, York's Norse history provided the inspiration for the name: Norse Code.
York, Jorvik and the Viking Legacy
In AD 866, Viking forces captured York and established it as the centre of the Kingdom of Jorvik.
Over the following decades, York became one of the most significant Viking settlements in Britain, connecting Scandinavia with Ireland, mainland Europe and beyond through trade, craftsmanship and culture.
Today, York remains one of the most important locations for Viking archaeology anywhere in the world. Excavations throughout the city continue to reveal evidence of the Norse people who once lived, traded and ruled here.
For us, York's Viking story is not simply history. It forms part of the city's identity and helps explain why Norse heritage remains such a visible part of modern York.
King's Square and Konungsgarthr
One of the most significant locations in York's Viking history is King's Square.
Known during the Norse period as Konungsgarthr, meaning "King's Court", the area is widely identified by historians and archaeologists as the probable location of the royal complex of the Viking Kings of York.
Today, King's Square remains one of York's most recognisable public spaces and sits at the heart of the city centre.
The connection is also personal. Gordon continues to brew and serve coffee overlooking King's Square at Harlequin Coffee & Tea House. The coffee expertise developed here forms the foundation of Norse Code and continues to influence every coffee liqueur we produce today.
The nearby street name King's Court still echoes the area's historic connection to the Viking rulers of Jorvik.
Why Hel Above and Hel Below?
The names Hel Above and Hel Below are inspired by Hel, a figure from Norse mythology.
In Norse tradition, Hel is associated with the realm of the dead and forms part of a rich mythology that includes Odin, Thor, Loki and countless other figures that continue to influence literature, film and popular culture today.
Rather than directly recreating historical drinks or recipes, we chose names that acknowledge the mythology and storytelling traditions of the Norse world while creating a distinctive identity for our coffee liqueurs.
The result is a pair of products that celebrate both Yorkshire craftsmanship and the city's connection to its Viking past.
Where Coffee Meets Heritage
While the name may come from history, the liquid inside the bottle is built on modern coffee expertise.
Norse Code was founded by Gordon Howell, former UK Brewers Cup Champion and UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion, alongside drinks industry professional Yan.
Together they set out to create coffee liqueurs that genuinely showcase coffee flavour rather than relying on excessive sweetness or artificial flavourings.
Every bottle is produced in Yorkshire using our proprietary Cold-Filter Brew process, developed specifically to capture the complexity, balance and character of speciality coffee.
The approach has earned recognition from bartenders, coffee professionals and international judging panels alike.
Learn more about the people behind the brand on our About Us page.
Norse Code Today
Today, Norse Code products are enjoyed by consumers, bars and hospitality venues across the UK.
Our range includes:
- Hel Above – a higher-strength coffee liqueur developed for exceptional Espresso Martinis.
- Hel Below – England's Best Coffee Liqueur at the 2026 World Drinks Awards and a favourite for both Baby Guinness serves and Espresso Martinis.
- EX-01 – limited-edition releases exploring the relationship between speciality coffee and premium spirits.
While our products are inspired by York's Norse heritage, our focus remains unchanged: creating some of the finest coffee liqueurs possible using exceptional ingredients, coffee expertise and Yorkshire craftsmanship.