This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Spring is upon us: we’re back to normal time, the maple trees are flowing and the thermometer is finally climbing above zero. Happiness ! This is also a harbinger of the arrival of new alcohols on the shelves. This week, the Gourmet Notebook gives all the space to some of these thirst-quenching novelties from Quebec.
By master’s hand
La Chaufferie, this distillery located on the banks of the Yamaska River in Granby, has recently offered a very limited edition of the new Maître Pierre plum eau-de-vie. Named in honor of Pierre Jodoin, a former lawyer who now owns a farm based in Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford, the spirit is produced from the variety of plums found on his land: Mont-Royal.
“The plums used for the production of Maître Pierre are very ripe,” says Claudia Doyon, the distillery’s brand manager. We recover the fruit, we avoid waste. The distillery has eco-responsible values, local and circular agriculture. This is necessary to preserve traditions and know-how. »
According to Mme Doyon, Vincent Van Horn, the master distiller of La Chaufferie, specializes in eaux-de-vie. It is probably for this reason that Maître Pierre conceals a varied and intense aromatic palette. On the nose, the product is lively and fruity. The skin of the ripe plums gives it rich tannins and an oily freshness. In the mouth, it’s an explosion! The tasting is done in three stages. The first reveals the traditional strength of the brandy, this one containing 40.4% alcohol. The second causes a tickling of the taste buds located on the tip of the tongue, due to the sugar contained in the fruit. Those located on the sides are also in demand given the acidity of the Mont-Royal plum. Finally, it is the greasy and unctuous texture of the spirit that ends this sip by lining the palate and the walls of the mouth. A product proudly labeled “Origine Québec”.
Maître Pierre, $35 for 375 ml, offered at the La Chaufferie distillery and on their online store.
Bitter as you wish!
The bitters, better known by their English name of bitters, are not alcohols in themselves, but they enhance them. In addition to taking care of brand management for La Chaufferie, Claudia Doyon is a mixologist. Recognized for her use of boreal products and her desire to see the birth of a 100% local mixology in Quebec, she joined forces with Vincent Van Horn, chief distiller of La Chaufferie, to create the company Amer Kebek. Their collection of bitters is made from the maceration of Quebec grain alcohol and a variety of products from here: flowers, wild mushrooms, fruit trees… In all, five bitters are offered: Aromatik, the Walnut, the Flowers, the Forest and the Wild Mushrooms. “These are flavor enhancers,” explains Ms.me Doyon. It adds flavor to cocktails and sometimes a single drop changes the whole dynamic. The mixologist specifies that it is also possible to use them in the kitchen, but that it is necessary to have a good understanding of flavors and aromas to make the right mixtures. Are you one of those?
Between $16 and $22 per unit, or $80 for the set of four bitters
sun in glass
When Lilian Wolfelsberger, the distiller of the Montreal Distillery, created his pineapple flavored rum, he had no idea that it would become one of the flagship products of the range. The rum with Caribbean flavors is the result of the distillation and maceration of pineapple from Costa Rica. “We used 250 pineapples to create the first batch and, frankly, I’m a huge fan of pineapples. When I start, I can’t stop! laughs Lilian Wolfelsberger, who explains that the recipe for this rum comes from an old recipe book from 1857.
To these delicious fruits, the local distiller has added a hint of homemade caramel as well as a concentrate of fragrant chamomile. For those who are wondering, fragrant chamomile is a plant that appears in the Quebec weed identification guide. Largely underestimated, it was previously used to relieve menstrual pain, hence its botanical name “Matricaria”, which comes from “matrix” (female, matrix, uterus). At this point, you’re probably wondering why Lilian Wolfelsberger added a “weed” used to reduce menstrual cramps to her rum. For the good reason that it gives off a sweet scent of pineapple. “I got this tip from renowned mixologist André Duncan, who was the first to put our white rum in the spotlight by mixing it with chamomile,” explains Mr. Wolfelsberger. This plant happens to share a few molecules with pineapple. We produced a concentrate that we added to our rum, and we realized that it gave it a completely herbaceous hint, between pineapple and chamomile, it was really pleasant for the palate. At that moment, we knew we were holding something unique in our hands! »
$40, at the SAQ
Minty, but not lying!
La Mentherie, the new crème de menthe from the Les Spiritueux Ungava distillery, is as refined as the fresh mint and the small winter tea from Quebec that make it up. The digestive sports a beautiful intense emerald color that can be admired through the transparent glass bottle adorned with a white and green label with metallic reflections. This famous spirit entered the bars — and the hearts — of Quebecers a long time ago, hence its name, which evokes a popular language still appreciated today. La Mentherie is produced in an artisanal way from a typical herb of Quebec’s boreal forests, wintergreen tea. This gives the liquor a unique flavor, slightly peppery, and a far cry from the “paparmane” of yesteryear. As surprising as it may seem, mint makes its second appearance on the tongue. The alcohol is delicate, pure and can be enjoyed on ice as a digestive as well as in a cocktail. The people of the distillery offer us here a product of an elegance worthy of the most chic evenings.
$35.25, at the SAQ
Eco-responsible without compromise
After two years of work, Fou Gin enters the Quebec spirits market. Founded by Sébastien Cliche-Roy, the brand prides itself on being a little crazy and having created a gin for people who are a little crazy too. On the back of the bottle, we can also read this: “To those who get up in the morning to change things. To those who dare to create differently. To those who proudly display their purest expression. Ode to the creative. Ode to those who let go of their madness. Committed. Authentic. A little crazy. Coming from the world of marketing and entrepreneurship, Mr. Cliche-Roy addresses a young clientele “of his time”. The vision of SCR Spirits, a company based in Sorel-Tracy, is to change standards and create a precedent by using more eco-responsible materials in their production. Their bottle, made from 100% recycled glass, is also a central element of their message.
Besides the creaming, the gin is very interesting. Thirteen aromatic herbs were macerated and then distilled to produce a spirit that presents aromas of cucumber and frank notes of juniper. Chrysanthemum, bayberry, chamomile and a few other Quebec aromatics, such as lemony hops, create a complex and smooth blend. We approach a Scottish conception where the mouth is full and the finish, soft. A perfectly balanced gin that reveals subtle floral notes, to be enjoyed over ice or in a martini.
$46, at the SAQ