NORSE CODE
HEL ABOVE
| 22.0% ABV.
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Pickup available at Harlequin Coffee Shop - York (YO1 8BH)
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Overview | Discover Pack | IWSC Gold | Great Taste | Espresso Martini | Real Coffee | Harlequin Blend | Comparison | Expertise | Serves | FAQ | Range
Hel Above — IWSC Gold 95-Point Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur Built for Espresso Martinis
NORSE CODE Hel Above is our flagship 22% ABV Cold-Filter Brew coffee liqueur, crafted in Yorkshire and developed through competition coffee expertise.
Designed for the Espresso Martini, Hel Above brings structure, clarity and real coffee depth to modern coffee cocktails.
IWSC Gold 95 Points. Cold-Filter Brew coffee. 22% ABV. Built for Espresso Martinis and coffee-forward cocktails.
New to NORSE CODE? Try Both First
Start with the Coffee Liqueur Discovery Pack and experience both award-winning NORSE CODE expressions before choosing your favourite full-size bottle.
Compare the brighter, coffee-forward character of Hel Above with the richer, smoother profile of Hel Below side by side.
Every Discover Pack includes an £8 voucher towards a future full-size bottle.
IWSC Gold Medal Winner — 95 Points
Hel Above was awarded Gold with 95 points at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
That makes Hel Above the highest-scoring UK coffee liqueur on record in the IWSC results we identified.
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
Great Taste 2026 – 1 Star
Hel Above was awarded a Great Taste 2026 1-Star Award by the Guild of Fine Food following blind tasting.
Great Taste recognises food and drink that delivers outstanding flavour.
Why Hel Above Works In Espresso Martinis
The coffee liqueur controls much of an Espresso Martini's sweetness, texture, coffee intensity and finish.
Hel Above was developed specifically for modern Espresso Martinis. At 22% ABV, it gives the cocktail more structure and helps fresh espresso remain the focus.
Using Cold-Filter Brew extraction and speciality-grade coffee, Hel Above delivers a cleaner finish, brighter aromatics and balanced sweetness compared with many traditional coffee liqueurs.
The result is an Espresso Martini with greater coffee clarity, improved balance and a more refined cocktail experience.
Flavour Profile
Ripe dark fruits and freshly brewed coffee aromas, with gentle spice, delicate bitterness and balanced sweetness.
The finish is long, structured and subtly dry, helping Hel Above work especially well alongside fresh espresso.
Crafted With Real Coffee
Hel Above is crafted using speciality-grade coffee and carefully selected sugars to preserve the natural character of the coffee.
The coffee is extracted using our Cold-Filter Brew process, helping preserve natural coffee character, balance and depth without relying on concentrates or artificial flavourings.
Its balanced sweetness and cleaner profile allow coffee flavour, aroma and extraction quality to remain the focus.
The Coffee Behind Hel Above
Hel Above begins with our Harlequin House Blend — an award-winning 100% Arabica espresso coffee roasted in Yorkshire by Danelaw Coffee.
Selected by Gordon Howell for sweetness, clarity and exceptional coffee character, it gives Hel Above the clean, expressive profile that makes it excel in Espresso Martinis.
100% Arabica • Great Taste 3-Star • Colombia + Ethiopia
Hel Above or Hel Below?
Both are made with real Cold-Filter Brew coffee, but they were designed for different serves and drinking styles.
| Feature | Hel Above | Hel Below |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Espresso Martinis and brighter, coffee-forward cocktails | Baby Guinness, layered shots and richer coffee cocktails |
| Style | Bright, structured and cleaner | Rich, smooth and rounded |
| Sweetness | More restrained and balanced | Fuller and more indulgent |
| ABV | 22% ABV | 16% ABV |
| Coffee profile | Clearer, brighter and more aromatic | Deeper, rounder and fuller-bodied |
Still undecided? The Coffee Liqueur Discovery Pack lets you compare both expressions side by side and includes an £8 voucher towards a future full-size bottle.
Which NORSE CODE Option Is Right for You?
Choose Hel Above
For a brighter, structured, coffee-forward liqueur built especially for Espresso Martinis.
Choose Hel Below
For a richer, smoother profile suited to Baby Guinness, layered serves and indulgent cocktails.
Start with the Discover Pack
For the easiest way to compare both expressions, with an £8 voucher towards a future full-size bottle.
Developed Through Competition Coffee Expertise
Hel Above was developed by Gordon Howell, UK Brewers Cup Champion, UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion, World Coffee in Good Spirits 3rd place, World Brewers Cup 7th place, coffee competition judge and speciality coffee educator.
Years of competition coffee experience helped shape a coffee liqueur focused on extraction quality, coffee clarity and cocktail performance.
The result is a coffee liqueur built around genuine coffee quality rather than simply sweetness and alcohol.
Best Serves & Cocktails
- Espresso Martini – bright, balanced and coffee-forward.
- Coffee Negroni – complex, aromatic and structured.
- Black Manhattan – depth without excessive sweetness.
- White Russian – cleaner coffee depth with a smoother finish.
- On the Rocks – showcasing coffee clarity and balance.
ABV, Origin & Production
ABV: 22%
Origin: Yorkshire, England
Production: Small-batch Cold-Filter Brew coffee liqueur developed through award-winning coffee expertise.
Formats: 70cl bottle and 4.9 litre trade tub
Product Highlights
- IWSC Gold Medal winner with 95 points.
- Highest-scoring UK coffee liqueur on record in the IWSC results we identified.
- Cold-Filter Brew extraction.
- Crafted with real speciality-grade coffee.
- Developed by Gordon Howell.
- Designed for modern Espresso Martinis.
- Balanced sweetness and coffee clarity.
- Brighter, cleaner cocktail finish.
- Lower sugar than many mainstream alternatives.
- Small-batch Yorkshire production.
- Available in 70cl bottles and 4.9 litre trade tubs.
- Also available in the Coffee Liqueur Discovery Pack alongside Hel Below, with an £8 voucher included.
Hel Above FAQ
What is Hel Above?
Hel Above is a 22% ABV Cold-Filter Brew Yorkshire coffee liqueur from NORSE CODE, developed for Espresso Martinis and coffee-forward cocktails.