There are some pretty awesome things coming out of Canada these days: old time favourite maple syrup, Crown Royal’s Northern Harvest Rye, Justin Trudeau….
Just recently, I discovered something so very unique and so damn good that I had trouble believing it was real. A gin. A gin made in Rimouski. A gin made in Rimouski Quebec, macerated with sea algae from the St. Lawrence River. If that is not terroir for a spirit, then I don’t know what is.
This gin…… it’s something. There is nothing else like it made in the world, never mind the market. Its taste and quality are stellar. It checks all the boxes of your favourite gin with an added, kick ass element of saltiness, giving it freshness and even more flavour and personality. Make no wonder, considering the two boys behind the product. ‘stubborn-as-hell-ninja distillers’, Joël Pelletier and Jean-François Cloutier, hailing from Rimouski, started the ambitious project back in 2013, inspired by their mutual love for fine spirits. A recipe for success calls 1 part talent, and 1 part drive with a touch of madness. Passion and determination can take you everywhere and since launching their product in August 2015, the St.Laurent Gin has been selling out in SAQ stores within hours of it being on shelves.
Laminaria longicruris and Laminaria saccharina (say what?!?!) are the seaweeds of choice, which imparts a green tint and marine salty finish to the gin. The seaweeds are hand harvested, washed, dried, and ground into a ‘seaweed flour’. This along with other exotic botanicals get vapour infused and slowly macerated into the spirit. Voilà! 1000+ bottles are produced every week and everything is hand made; blending of botanicals, distillation, bottling, labelling, wax sealing.
This is more than an authentic artisanal product, it’s legendary. These guys have risked and sacrificed everything to live their dream and keeping it a success through a relentless and gruelling process. Stay tuned for future projects coming from these two guys, they know what they are doing.
Photo: Distillerie St.Laurent
This product hits close to home for me. Living in Montreal, I am miles away from the ocean that is my backyard. Having a glass takes me back to when I was a little girl on Christmas Day on the Coast in La Tabatiere. My grandfather is a lover of gin and I am instantly reminded of him pulling out that ol’ gin bottle at 8 in the morning, the only time of year it was acceptable to drink that early in the day. A jig and a step dance or two wouldn’t be far away. When I drink the St.Laurent Gin, I see him on Christmas Day, I hear the waves outside, I smell the salty air….a gin fit for my soul.
Photo: Distillerie St.Laurent
Slightly green in colour, the nose has generous and complex notes of juniper, coriander, dried citrus peel, fresh sea air, and delicate black liquorice. The palate, reflecting the nose, is bold yet silky and vibrant showcasing orange zest, herbaceous pine, liquorice and delicious saltiness. The finish is long, smooth, complex and elegant. Every sip is spot on.
Distillerie St.Laurent is not open to the public so if you want to snag a bottle for yourself, keep your eyes peeled at SAQ stores and follow the distillery on Facebook. I am proud that something like this is being produced right here in Canada - even more so coming from my home province of Quebec. Well done boys….wishing you much continued success.
SAQ Code: 12881538
$48.00
www.distilleriedustlaurent.com
www.agenceboires.com
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