Maple syrup is one of Canada’s most iconic sweet treats, loved for its unique flavour and natural origin. However,...
Discover Quebec gins
While the market has long been dominated by brands such as Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray or Beefeater, small distilleries have multiplied in North America. Canada today produces quality, world-renowned gins. The best of these locally produced gins are beginning to gain more and more recognition. These products are sure to only get better from now on.
Gin: what is it?
Gin is a spirit-like drink that is white or colorless in color. Its neutral alcohol base is made from grain flour (barley malt, corn, rye, etc.) or molasses (beetroot, etc.). Gin is used in mixology to make many cocktails such as gin and tonic, gin fizz or dry Martini. This spirit has a very high alcohol content. It is also almost impossible to detect the ingredient that was used to produce it, even for experts. So what really sets gins apart is their flavoring. These are most often herbs associated with juniper berries that are placed in the still to impart a distinctive aroma to the alcohol. Among the most used botanicals are licorice, angelica root or coriander. No matter what type of gin or where it is produced, it should always contain juniper berries. It is this mixture of herbs and botanicals used in the distillation process that will determine the flavor and aroma of each gin. The spirit can then be colored blue by infusing it with clitoria flowers. When tonic is added to it, it then takes on a purplish-pink colour.
Gin is different from the juniper berry flavored drink. The base of the latter is composed either of a base of brandy or cereal distillate, or of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin or of a mixture. Unlike it, gin is only made on a base of ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, and the taste of juniper must dominate over the rest. There is also a difference in the alcoholic strength by volume, which cannot be less than 37.5% for gin, against 30% minimum for the spirit drink flavored with juniper berries.
History of gin
Few spirits have such a rich and turbulent history as gin. Originally, it was a drink from the Netherlands, first made from juniper, hence its name Genever. It was quickly exported to many European countries, particularly the United Kingdom where it met with great success. The drink is notably given to British soldiers before battle, which later earned it the name Dutch Courage.
In the 18th century, it was a very popular and excessively consumed alcohol. This gave rise to many severe social problems and general drunkenness. At one time, gin had the nickname "mothers' ruin, because its consumption tended to cause young mothers to neglect their children When King William II banned the importation of foreign spirits into England, English distillers begin to produce their own version of Genever, which will later become gin.
Today, the biggest producers of gin are the Netherlands and England. They are also found in France, Ireland and Canada, among others. Among the varieties of gin, there is the genever, or juniper, the London Dry Gin, the Ol Tom gin, the Cork gin or the Sloe gin.
Did you know that originally gin and tonic was an alternative to make the remedy against malaria easier to consume. Tonic water, loaded with quinine, is indeed very bitter. It is much easier to drink when mixed with gin!
Our selection of Canadian gins
Our site offers several types of Canadian gins. Canadians' love of gin dates back to the days of the first European settlers. Gin was especially prized by explorers, trappers and gold diggers who drank it to warm up during the brutal winters in these wilderness areas. From the 20th century, this drink is well established in the drinking culture in the country. Canada also experienced a period of prohibition, but it only lasted 2 years. It then became an important source of spirits and alcohol for the United States. The trade was done on the Detroit River, which connects the two countries, and which became a notorious avenue for bootleggers.
Small producers have developed well, and among the brands of gin known in Canada, there is in particular Ungava, from the Pinnacle estate. The name Ungava means “open waters” and the Canadian Premium Gin - Ungava that we offer uses herbs only from Canada. These include, for example, crowberry, tea leaves, rosehip berries and northern juniper berries.
Akènes is another brand of gin that you will find on our site. It produces gins with mixtures of herbs, spices and samaras. The latter are the fruits of the maple tree, achene fruits - hence the name of the brand. the Gin with Akènes spices - Nokomis is fresh, spicy and can be served both in cocktails and on ice.
the Furlong Canadian Gin - La Chaufferie is a product of the distillery of the same name. It is made from juniper berries, aromatics, spices and herbs. Among the latter, we note for example rosemary, bay leaf and pepper. This ballet of flavors then gives way to orange peel, jasmine and cardamom.
Finally, the Canadian Snow Gin is a 43% alcohol made entirely of Canadian ingredients. It contains, among other things, juniper berry, herbaceous plants, white spruce and apple water. This last ingredient is taken from ice cider and gives the gin its beautiful light golden color. Its taste is frank and pronounced, but its texture is soft and silky. It can be drunk both in cocktails and on ice.
Related product
Forest and boreal gin Canopée
Related posts
icon
Free shipping
For orders over 99 €
icon
International Shipping
Tax and customs included
icon
Customer service 7/7
Quick response to your requests
icon
Secure payment
Safe purchase guarantee
Leave a comment
Log in to post comments