NORSE CODE Hel Above | Espresso Martini Coffee Liqueur | 70cl – Coffee Spirit Co

Name: HEL ABOVE
Brand: NORSE CODE
SKU: NorseCodeHelAbove22%1x70clBottle
Price: 29.9 GBP
Availability: InStock

HEL ABOVE

NORSE CODE

HEL ABOVE

70 cL | 22.0% ABV.

£29.90

£24.92 Excluding VAT

Pickup available at Harlequin Coffee Shop - York (YO1 8BH)

Usually ready in 2-4 days

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.

IWSC 2026 Gold 95 Point Medal awarded to NORSE CODE Hel Above

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.

Read About The IWSC Gold View Awards & Recognition

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

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.

Best Coffee Liqueur For Espresso Martinis Coffee Liqueur For Bars

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.

Cold-Filter Brew Method

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

Explore the Coffee Meet Gordon Howell

Hel Above Compared With Traditional Coffee Liqueurs

Hel Above was not built as a syrupy, generic coffee liqueur. It was developed as a coffee-first cocktail ingredient for people who want real brewed coffee character in the glass.

Feature	Hel Above	Many Mass-Market Coffee Liqueurs
Core focus	Real coffee clarity and cocktail performance	Sweetness, colour and broad coffee flavour
Best serve	Espresso Martini and coffee-forward cocktails	Simple mixed drinks and sweet serves
ABV	22% ABV for structure and balance	Often lower strength and sweeter in profile
Coffee approach	Cold-Filter Brew coffee process	Often flavour-led or syrup-led
Finish	Cleaner, drier, more coffee-forward	Often heavier and sweeter

Why Hel Above Costs More Than Some Coffee Liqueurs

Hel Above costs more than mass-market coffee liqueurs because it is built differently.

It uses real coffee, controlled extraction, small-batch production and competition coffee expertise rather than being developed mainly around sweetness, colour and generic coffee flavour.

For bars and home cocktail makers, the value is in cocktail performance: better balance in an Espresso Martini, a cleaner finish, and coffee flavour that remains present alongside fresh espresso and spirit.

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.

Gordon Howell Coffee Expert About Coffee Spirit Co

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.

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.

Did Hel Above win IWSC Gold?

Yes. NORSE CODE Hel Above was awarded IWSC Gold with 95 points.

Is Hel Above good for Espresso Martinis?

Yes. Hel Above was designed for Espresso Martinis, giving the cocktail structure, real coffee depth, balanced sweetness and a cleaner finish.

What does Hel Above taste like?

Hel Above has freshly brewed coffee aromas, ripe dark fruit notes, gentle spice, delicate bitterness, balanced sweetness and a subtly dry finish.

What coffee is used in Hel Above?

Hel Above is built around Harlequin House Blend, an award-winning 100% Arabica espresso coffee roasted in Yorkshire by Danelaw Coffee and selected for sweetness, clarity and coffee character.

How is Hel Above different from Kahlúa or other traditional coffee liqueurs?

Hel Above is built around real Cold-Filter Brew coffee and cocktail performance, with a cleaner and more coffee-forward profile than many syrup-led traditional coffee liqueurs.

Is Hel Above a good Mr Black alternative?

Hel Above is a strong choice for drinkers and bartenders looking for a UK-made, coffee-led liqueur for Espresso Martinis and modern coffee cocktails.

Why is Hel Above 22% ABV?

The 22% ABV gives Hel Above structure in cocktails, helping it stand up to fresh espresso and spirit without becoming overly sweet or thin.

Part of the Award-Winning NORSE CODE Range

Hel Above is the stronger, brighter expression in the NORSE CODE range and has been awarded IWSC Gold with 95 points.

For a richer coffee liqueur designed for Baby Guinness shots, layered serves and smoother cocktails, explore NORSE CODE Hel Below, winner of England Coffee Liqueur at the World Liqueur Awards and Gold at the Global Liqueur Masters.

For rare, collectible coffee liqueur releases, explore EX-01 Exceptional Series.

Together, Hel Above and Hel Below give bars, restaurants and home cocktail makers two distinct Yorkshire coffee liqueurs built for different serves.

Learn More

Explore related NORSE CODE pages

Not too sweet, very smooth

Most coffee liqueurs are far too sugary, but Hel Above by Norse Code gets it right. Smooth, bold coffee flavour with a natural finish. Feels more like a premium spirit than a liqueur.

That’s exactly the direction we went in. Most coffee liqueurs lean heavily on sugar, but Hel Above prioritises roasted coffee depth and balance so it can stand up in both sipping and cocktails.

Built for cocktails

We’ve been testing Hel Above in espresso martinis and it performs really well. Strong enough to cut through coffee and vodka without getting lost. One of the more interesting UK coffee liqueur releases.

Great to hear Hel Above is working well in espresso martinis. That’s exactly where we see it shining as a coffee liqueur—strong enough to cut through coffee and vodka while still delivering depth and smoothness. Appreciate you sharing your experience.

Premium coffee spirit with real depth

This isn’t your standard coffee liqueur. Hel Above feels like a proper crafted spirit. Strong coffee character, balanced bitterness, and a clean finish. A serious step up for UK coffee liqueurs.

That balance was a key focus for us when developing Hel Above. We wanted a coffee liqueur that felt closer to a crafted spirit than a syrupy liqueur, so it’s great to hear that coming through.

Best coffee liqueur I’ve tried in the UK

Hel Above by Norse Code is easily one of the best coffee liqueurs I’ve come across. Deep roasted coffee flavour, smooth finish, and not overly sweet like most others. Works brilliantly in an espresso martini.

Thanks for taking the time to review Hel Above. We’re really pleased you’re enjoying it as a coffee liqueur. We designed it specifically to sit at the premium end of UK coffee spirits, with a focus on bold roasted coffee character and balance rather than heavy sweetness.