Jake Burger heads to Sweden to join Almqvist Destilleri

The Swedish distillery expands its team with an industry and distillery expert to drive on-trade sales and open its brand home

 Sweden-based distillery, Almqvist Destilleri, appoints renowned drinks industry stalwart, Jake Burger, as its head distiller from 1st September, marking an exciting milestone for the brand. Burger joins the distillery’s founder, master distiller, and long-term friend, Bex Almqvist, to play an integral role in positioning Almqvist as the on-trade’s leading spirits brand, expanding its portfolio, implementing its ongoing sustainability strategy, and opening its brand home doors.

Bex and Jake met at the start of her bartending career in the early 2000s, and the pair have remained close friends since.

The duo shares a passion for distilling and spirits education and have appeared on numerous international industry panels and seminars together, including recently their ‘God save the gin’ seminar at Tales Of The Cocktails 2024.

Jake was part of the initial discussions for Almqvist Destilleri, earning one of the stills that bears his eponymous namesake. Jake’s appointment supports Bex’s growing vision for the brand, including expanding its portfolio, especially its Aquavit, to drive further conversation around its versatility in cocktails. As well as expand its ‘white label’ production and collaborations within the leading bars and restaurants, in Sweden and internationally.

Due to recent changes in Sweden’s strict state alcohol laws, small-scale breweries, distilleries, and vineyards can sell products directly to visitors on-site from June 1st, 2025. This marks the first time in over a century that alcohol producers can sell directly to consumers. Bex and Jake will open the doors of the brand’s home, located in the small village of Rejmyre, for educational visits and experiences, including tours and tastings.

Almqvist Destilleri, housed in a historic glasswork building founded in 1810, meticulously distils and bottles high-quality handcrafted spirits, aiming to showcase traditional Nordic flavours and highlight Swedish grain spirits.

Jake, whose career spans over four decades, has gained international recognition for his work behind renowned cocktail institutions, including The Portobello Star in Notting Hill. In 2011, Jake launched ‘The Ginstitute’ and Portobello Road Gin and swiftly became an influential part of the modern gin scene, ahead of the London boom at that time.

Bex says of the appointment, “I’m extremely excited for Jake to move over here. I could never have imagined over the past almost 20 years of friendship that we would work together in this way; being able to be geeky and creative together in the distillery on a daily basis. He has been a great friend and supporter of Almqvist from the beginning, so there’s no one else I would want to be a part of this next chapter”