Bex Almqvist has long been a leading light in the contemporary drinks world. She began as a bartender at the heart of London's modern cocktail renaissance, working in some of the era's most influential bars, and quickly rose to the top of her profession, collaborating with many of the industry's most respected figures. In 2008, following the acquisition of Absolut Vodka, she was chosen by the new owners to represent the brand globally; over the next decade she travelled the world, educating thousands of bartenders, and played a key role in new product development and innovative experiential events for Absolut. After two decades at the pinnacle of her field, in 2022 she founded Almqvist Destilleri in the small village of Rejmyre, Sweden, with a simple ethos: to craft an exceptional selection of high-quality spirits, distilled and bottled by hand. She launched the brand with two standout products, a much-admired, distinctly Nordic dry gin and an exceptional Swedish akvavit. Today Bex remains a respected and outspoken voice in the drinks industry. She regularly speaks at international seminars, judges spirits awards and, when not travelling, can be found in Rejmyre distilling, bottling, hosting and nurturing both her young distillery and her newest creation, Sven Erik, who arrived in the summer of 2025.