Norway’s love of cognac is a fascinating tale of cultural affinity and historical ties that stretches back over a century, making it one of the world’s top per-capita consumers of the French spirit despite its chilly, grape-unfriendly climate. This passion began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when adventurous Norwegians like Thomas Bache-Gabrielsen and Jens Reidar Larsen settled in Cognac, France, founding houses like Bache-Gabrielsen and Larsen that catered to Scandinavian tastes with fruitier, elegant blends. Norway’s harsh winters and hygge-inspired coziness pair perfectly with cognac’s warming richness, a tradition boosted by its use as a “medicinal” spirit during the 1920s prohibition era—think Bache-Gabrielsen’s “Tre Kors” VS, marked with red crosses for legal sale. Today, brands like Bache-Gabrielsen dominate the market, selling over a million bottles annually, while the Norwegian penchant for strong liquor and a strong national pride in these heritage brands keep cognac a beloved staple, far outpacing its popularity in many wine-producing nations.
