The ship, skipper and crew are risking their lives at sea – you are risking a liquor tanker on board.
When you buy a bottle of Restauration Aquavit, you are contributing directly to the success of the voyage and securing the ship’s journey across the Atlantic. This is your chance to own a piece of history, while supporting the Friends and the funding of this epic voyage.
Now you have an exclusive opportunity to secure a one-of-a-kind cargo ship that will sail to America. The first 100 bottles of Restauration Aquavit are now available for sale. Each bottle comes in an ornate wooden box made at Åna Prison, and includes a piece of bowsprit, ropes from the ship, two handcrafted crystal glasses, a small book about the story from 1825 with interpretation in 2025 and each bottle has a unique artwork signed by Ingvar Moi on the bottle. Sustainable! A unique collector’s item at all times.
All bottles are numbered:
- Bottles 1-10: NOK 30,000 per piece (aprox. 2700$ USD)
- Bottles 11-100: NOK 7,500 each (aprox. 680$ USD)
Several have been sold, and feel free to contact us if you want a special number.
To order: post@restauration.no or SMS 92438515
Restauration sails again in 2025
To honor the emigrants of 1825, Restauration will set sail for New York on July 4, 2025, 200 years after the first organized emigration from Norway to North America. This marks an important part of Norwegian history and highlights relevant societal challenges.
The American on board
Among several historical elements recreated for 2025, we find:
- Freedom of expression
- Quaker candles
- Art exhibition
- The story of “Moonshine & Potatoes”
- A children’s blanket
- Red ride
Recreation of “Moonshine & Potatoes”
Two barrels of Jærakevitt Jubileum, stored in Madeira barrels, are sailing to New York in the footsteps of the emigrants. This limited and numbered edition will be available for pre-sale in the fall of 2024. The collaboration includes Jærakevitt, DNB and Vinmonopolet, and focuses on the role of spirits in 19th century Norwegian society.
The spirits anchor at “Restauration”
Observations and text from Dag Hovda Sture, Quaker community in Stavanger 2024
When Quakers and Haugians brought an anchor of spirits on the boat in 1825, it was not unusual, even though the temperance movement had not yet emerged in Norway. At the time, alcohol use was widespread, and spirits were often seen as medicine or a tonic. The Quakers never had a total ban on alcohol, but advised moderation. The liquor on board was not to be drunk by the passengers, but sold to raise income for provisions.
Quakers have since gone from being temperance people to becoming leaders in the total abstinence movement, especially with Asbjørn Kloster who founded the first total abstinence association in 1859. Still, there’s no denying that “Restauration” in 2025 carries an anchor of Jærakevitt, something that would have been unthinkable 100 years ago.
The significance for Norway, the region and the local community
The voyage to Restauration in 2025 is more than just a tribute to our ancestors; it is a living reminder of the Norwegian spirit, a story of courage, hope and an eternal desire to improve one’s living conditions. By recreating this historical journey, we create links between past and present that not only strengthen our understanding of our own history, but also give new meaning to modern Norway.
For the nation, this is an opportunity to mark the start of the Norwegian emigration to North America, a movement that has shaped both Norwegian and American culture in ways that are still felt today. Restauration brings the story of our ancestors’ struggles and dreams, highlighting their experiences in a way that invites reflection on today’s challenges – both locally and globally.
For the region and community around Restauration, this project represents an opportunity to strengthen pride and belonging. It creates a community that brings people together around a shared history and a common goal. Through involvement in this voyage, the region is put on the map, not only as a place with a rich history, but also as a driving force in preserving and passing on cultural heritage to future generations.
Locally, the project is generating economic activity, collaboration and innovation, while inspiring increased participation in cultural and historical projects. It emphasizes the importance of supporting local initiatives that can have a global impact, and shows that even small communities can have a big impact in shaping our common future.
Through Restauration’s voyage, we’re not just making history – we’re creating the future.