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.

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.

NORSE CODE Hel Above | Espresso Martini Coffee Liqueur

Q: 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.

Q: Who developed Hel Above?

Hel Above was developed through the coffee expertise of Gordon Howell, UK Brewers Cup Champion, UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion and co-founder of Coffee Spirit Co.

Norse Code coffee liqueur bottle with awards on a black background

NORSE CODE - HEL ABOVE - Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur (70cl) - 22% ABV.

70cl

£29.90

NORSE CODE - HEL ABOVE - Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur (70cl) - 22% ABV.

COFFEE SPIRIT CO

NORSE CODE - HEL ABOVE - Yorkshire Coffee Liqueur (70cl) - 22% ABV.

£29.90

£24.92 Excluding VAT

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

Usually ready in 2-4 days

Hel Above — 95-Point IWSC Gold 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, placing it among the highest-scoring coffee liqueurs identified in IWSC results.

In the IWSC coffee liqueur results we reviewed, only three coffee liqueurs scored higher, and none of those were from the UK.

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

95-Point IWSC Gold

Independent recognition from one of the world's most respected drinks competitions.

22% ABV Structure

Built to give Espresso Martinis more backbone, balance and cocktail presence than sweeter, lower-strength coffee liqueurs.

Cold-Filter Brew Coffee

Made with real coffee using our Cold-Filter Brew process, preserving coffee character without relying on generic flavouring.

Espresso Martini Focused

Designed to support fresh espresso, improve balance and create a cleaner, more coffee-forward finish.

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 unique 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

Why Hel Above Is Different

Real Coffee

Built around Cold-Filter Brew coffee rather than generic flavouring, extracts or instant coffee concentrate.

Espresso Martini Design

Created specifically for coffee-forward cocktails where structure, clarity and balance matter.

Cleaner Finish

Designed to avoid the heavy syrup-led finish often found in mainstream coffee liqueurs.

Balanced Sweetness

Sweetness supports the coffee and cocktail structure rather than masking bitterness or alcohol.

Yorkshire Made

Produced in small batches as part of the NORSE CODE Yorkshire coffee liqueur range.

Coffee-Led Development

Developed through competition coffee expertise rather than a traditional spirits-first approach.

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.

Product Highlights

IWSC Gold Medal winner with 95 points.
Among the highest-scoring coffee liqueurs identified in IWSC results.
No UK coffee liqueur identified ahead in reviewed IWSC coffee liqueur results.
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.

Part of the Award-Winning NORSE CODE Range

Hel Above is the stronger, brighter expression in the NORSE CODE range and has now 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

Q: What makes Hel Above different from traditional coffee liqueurs?

A: Hel Above is crafted using Cold-Filter Brew extraction, speciality-grade coffee and competition coffee expertise. It delivers a cleaner, brighter coffee profile with balanced sweetness and a more refined finish than many traditional coffee liqueurs.

Q: Is Hel Above good for Espresso Martinis?

A: Yes. Hel Above was specifically developed for modern Espresso Martinis, helping showcase fresh espresso while delivering balance, coffee clarity and smooth texture.

Q: Is Hel Above sweeter or less sweet than Hel Below?

A: Hel Above has a cleaner, brighter and less sweet profile than Hel Below, allowing more of the coffee's natural flavour and aroma to shine through in cocktails.

Q: Is Hel Above vegan and gluten free?

A: Yes. Hel Above is vegan friendly and contains no gluten-based ingredients.

Q: Can I drink Hel Above neat?

A: Absolutely. Hel Above is excellent over ice, where its coffee character, balanced sweetness and smooth finish can be fully appreciated.

Q: Where is Hel Above made?

A: Hel Above is crafted in small batches in Yorkshire, England and developed through UK Brewers Cup and Coffee in Good Spirits competition expertise.

Q: What coffee cocktails is Hel Above best suited to?

A: Hel Above performs exceptionally well in Espresso Martinis, Coffee Negronis, Black Manhattans and other coffee-forward cocktails where balance and coffee clarity are important.

THE FINEST NATURAL INGREDIENTS

SUGAR CANE

Prized for its rich, aromatic, and complex caramel flavour

WINTER WHEAT

Grown in Yorkshire, known for its purity

coffee beans

Washed and natural coffees from Latin America

ORGANIC VANILLA

known for its intense, sweet, and creamy flavour

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.