Quebec vodkas: a worldwide reputation

The Quebec scene never ceases to amaze spirits lovers with its distillation techniques operating between modernity and tradition. The vodka is considered a flagship product of Quebec. The first bottle was put on the local market in 2015. Highly appreciated by local consumers, spirits manufacturing companies in Quebec have increased their production to be able to meet demand.

Vodka is above all a basic alcohol used in the manufacture of cocktails. It has a neutral taste, but it is a versatile spirit that can be used in different types of blends. The choice of raw materials for the production of Quebec vodkas is based on three criteria, namely ease of procurement, texture and taste. In la belle province, manufacturers use wheat, corn, rye or maple to produce their vodkas. Some of them also offer their alcoholic drinks in a flavored version.

The method of making Quebec vodkas has improved over the years thanks to industrial development. The cycle lasts approximately 3 weeks, from the acquisition of raw materials to packaging. Each manufacturing company has its own recipe for concocting a vodka with their signature. The time may therefore vary depending on this, but in general, vodkas are designed in 3 stages.

The first step is to cook or germinate the raw material to convert the starch into sugar. Then, tanks made of stainless steel are used to ferment the must or juice obtained for 3 days. During this time, the distiller adds yeast to transform the sugar in the mixture into alcohol. Once the fermentation time is over, the must contains an alcohol percentage of 10 %. This is the perfect time to switch to the second stage of vodka making!

Major vodka makers use pot stills to filter the alcoholic liquid after it has fermented. These are devices that are frequently found in chemistry laboratories. Distillation makes it possible to separate the must from the residues acquired during fermentation. Thanks to this, the taste of the alcoholic liquid will be more accentuated and it will present an aromatized profile according to the raw material. This second step is also useful to further increase its alcohol percentage.

The still heats the wort to evaporate its components. They will then be cooled and condensed to obtain a distillate. The distiller determines the quality of the vodka through his expertise. In other words, it decides the frequency of distillation until the product is obtained. He is best qualified to separate liquid from toxic substances. At the end of this second phase of production, the liqueur already reaches an alcohol content of 95 %.

The filtering process makes the resulting distillate more neutral to match the desired quality of vodka. Charcoal is often used to perform this step. The liquid then goes into dilution until the percentage of alcohol recorded decreases between 40 and 42 % maximum. Finally, the choice is up to the craftsman if he wishes to flavor the vodka or not. Redistillation of the liquid is recommended in this second case. He can also add either natural essences or maceration products.

Now that the preparation of vodka no longer holds any secrets for you, let your creativity speak and make your cocktails with the best possible bases. Of course, sipping a good Bloody Caesar or enjoying a delicious vodka martini is easier, but it's more fun to venture out to discover other tastes. It might even surprise you! So, here are some perfect Quebec vodkas to flavor the mixture of your choice.

Quebec's White Keys is a bit special, as it was made from maple sap water. The formulation of this pleasant, delicate and innovative product has contributed to making the beautiful province shine even more. The producers of the White Keys have their own maple field where the maple syrup producers use a separator to concentrate the sap in the plant. The sugar also increases and the tree produces purified water which will be part of the ingredients for making vodka.

This vodka is the brainchild of a writer from Newcastle, Australia named Becca Lee. Prose Vodka is Quebec's first colored spirit, it's pink! This color comes from its basic ingredient which is the purple sweet potato. Let its "girly" aspect inspire you in the creation of your most beautiful cocktails. We have already offered this bottle the title of the most beautiful vodka in the world, so your shakers!

With its 40 % of alcohol, the Houpert & Frère is perfect for all the classic drink mixes you would like to make. In 2016, she won “Double gold” at the World Spirits competition in San Francisco. This vodka has a long history, because before being produced in the Houpert distillery in Quebec, it was created in the United States during prohibition in the beautiful region. Then, the Tower Hill Road company took over before the Houpert descendants brought the product back to Quebec.

Pur vodka is the most decorated Quebec drink in the world with its 72 awards. She also won 5 times the merit of best vodka in the world. It was carried out in 2009 by entrepreneur Nicolas Duvernois. The use of ingredients 100 % premises is the primary success factor for Pur vodka. It is the result of a combination of refined corn with glacial water from a source in northern Quebec.

The specificity of this spirit also lies in its ideal purity at the table. It can therefore be enjoyed without mixing. It offers a fruity fragrance and an unprecedented fine taste in the mouth. You will not feel any burn while tasting it, which is a delight for the palate. Pur vodka is flavored with peppermint and has a light finish that will delight your mouth. If you want to make a cocktail with this vodka, add seasonal fruits and a little sugar then taste it! It's simple, yet elegant and the taste will definitely capture you.