Stobirk Spirits & Distillery

Stobirk Spirits & Distillery has chosen to establish its operations in a place where Swedish industrial history is still very much alive. In the small town of Åkers Styckebruk, in the northeastern corner of Södermanland, lies the old gunpowder factory that played a vital role in Sweden’s defense and industrial development for several centuries. At first glance, the area may seem like a forgotten place—something that once was, but is no longer. But behind the weathered facades lies a living history that stretches back several hundred years.

As early as 1552, Gustav Vasa decreed that black powder should be manufactured in Sweden, and the site in Åker was chosen due to its favorable waterways via Lake Mälaren to Stockholm. Documented production took off in 1641 when Queen Christina entrusted the manufacturing to the German gunpowder maker Heinrich Leschorn. The gunpowder mill soon became a royal purveyor and played a significant role for both the army and the navy. A clear example is the shipment in 1669, when the ship Röde Hanen transported 19 tons of black powder to Stockholm Palace. Over time, Swedish gunpowder gained international recognition and was awarded at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1855. Production continued all the way until 1993.

In this historic setting, Stobirk Spirits & Distillery has created a new future for the area. Drawing inspiration from the site’s industrial heritage and natural conditions, rum is produced the Swedish way—with pure water, fresh air, and the changing seasons as a natural part of the flavor profile. The distillery combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, allowing the site’s history to become part of every bottle.

Stobirk’s own story is also marked by several fascinating coincidences. The year 1669, when one of the gunpowder mill’s major shipments took place, recurs as the last four digits of the company’s registration number. The mythical sea horse, which adorns the distillery’s logo, was also spotted in Swedish waters the same year the distillery was founded—2023. Together, these details connect the past and the present and symbolize how a place with centuries of history has been given new life through a modern Swedish distillery and a new generation of craft spirits.