Historie

Distillerie du St. Laurent was founded in Rimouski around 2015 and has been described as a pioneer in micro-distillation in Quebec. According to the story, two friends began with basement tests and were driven by regional terroir to create distinctive spirits, often with an eccentric approach that blends different styles. They describe themselves as proud, stubborn, and independent – and as a small producer seeking to preserve the craft against large multinationals. From the start, they have focused on letting regional raw materials have their say and have developed a range of products, including a gin infused with algae and later whiskey and Acerum, a new class of spirits based on distilled maple syrup.

Produktion / Fremstilling

The distillery uses copper pot stills in the Scottish style and undergoes fermentation on grain. Whisky is produced after two distillations and matures in new charred oak barrels for three years, which gives a rich eau-de-vie with balanced notes and an oily body. For Whisky 3 Grains, 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley, and the ingredients come from the regions Montérégie (corn) and Bas-Saint-Laurent (rye and malted barley). Whisky Rye consists of 80% rye and 20% malted barley, and aging takes place in a mix of two-thirds new American oak barrels and one-third ex-whisky barrels by the coast, which gives a fruity, woody and spicy profile.

Their facilities and named parts of the production reflect a special approach: the stills Lyne and Papa Wong, as well as a longer development of Acerum – a still based on maple syrup. Notes on their spirits highlight that Acerum requires more than 25 litres of sap per bottle and is one of the most demanding distillation processes in their range. Noted flavor notes for Whisky 3 Grains include caramelized sugar, dried fruits and orange zest, with a long, creamy finish. Whisky Rye offers apple, leather and wine-like notes, spiced by oak and brown sugar, with an oily and silky body.

Produkter / Whisky-serien

Whisky 3 Grains

• Composition: 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley (from Montérégie and Bas-Saint-Laurent)
• Aging: 3 years in new, charred oak barrels
• Tasting notes: caramel, dried fruits, orange zest, a hint of rye, long and creamy finish

Whisky Rye

• Composition: 80% rye, 20% malted barley (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
• Aging: 3 years in two-thirds virgin American casks and one-third ex-whisky cask by the coast
• Tasting notes: apple, leather, pepper, oak, brown sugar; body is oily and creamy

Besøg / Oplevelser

According to the FAQ section, the distillery was open for visits and a bar, with general tours and events, including details about changes and cancellation rules for visits. However, it states in the section that the distillery is definitively closed, and that spirits can still be purchased through SAQ until stock is exhausted. There is also information about an on-site boutique and the possibility of buying gift cards.

Filosofi

Their philosophy is described as proud, stubborn and independent. Their history and language emphasize a northern identity: to pull raw materials from their region and to be pioneers in micro-distillation in Quebec. They highlight the desire to let terroir and innovation go hand in hand and emphasize a place in the regional culture through their spirits, from algae-infused gin to Acerum and whiskey, reflecting the maritime and coastal environment.