Fine spirits

Bourbon 101: a snapshot of a spirit that's gaining fans.

Here are a few examples of the many cocktails that can be made with brandy, a spirit made by distilling wine.

Depending on its provenance, how it was made and whether it was blended, Scotch whisky offers many nuances to savour for those willing to take the time to appreciate it.

Brandy, armagnac, whisky… fine spirits are popular these days. But what exactly are we talking about, and how best should we appreciate these products?

For spirit aficionados, whisky may well be the ultimate symbol of refinement. The cereal-based eau-de-vie is appreciated for its subtle taste and distinguished by its intricate distillation process.

Born of an ancient medicinal tradition and regularly fetishized in 19th century Europe, absinthe was often demonized and outlawed. Nowadays, this spirit is experiencing an increasing popularity – accompanied by a renaissance in Quebec.

All it took was one and a quarter miles of corn fields in every direction, boreal water sourced from almost 300 feet underground, and a splash of crazy, and Pierre Mantha had everything he needed to start a new career by launching an artisanal distillery—the first in Outaouais—built just a few steps from the Gatineau airport. The secret to his success? A range of top-shelf spirits made with the choicest of raw ingredients.

Discover fine spirits thanks to our taste tags, small format bottles and SAQ par l’ITHQ workshops.

Is the universe of whisky a mystery to you? Want to learn how to enjoy a glass the right way? Whisky expert and ITHQ SAQ workshop host Nicolas Bourque tells you everything you need to know about drinking the amber elixir that is scotch.

The story of absinthe is one filled with legends, fantastic tales, contradictions and mysteries. More than any other alcoholic drink, absinthe has been at the heart of controversy and has been the subject of quite a lot of speculation—for good reasons, and for some not so very good reasons.

Italy produces several excellent types of wine, but only one spirit: the legendary grappa. Transparent or lightly golden when refined, this elixir, the pride of Italians, comes to the table at the end of the meal to be enjoyed by those who love finesse and elegance.

We love it! A very trendy recipe with a very North American flair, this recipe is simple to make in the oven or on the BBQ.