Maple products for Quebecers are part of us, it's in our blood!
But there's a new product that's still somewhat unknown in Quebec, even among maple lovers. We're talking about acerum, that delicious maple syrup alcohol produced by only a handful of distillers in Quebec.
So, what do you know about this elixir? We'll tell you all about it in this article!
Basically, what is acerum?
So, what is this new Quebec alcohol that's all the rage?
Acerum is a brandy made from maple sap. Its name comes from the Latin words "acer" (maple) and "rum" (rum), as its distillation process is similar to that of this popular spirit.
To create acerum, maple water first undergoes a fermentation process using yeast. This can last 15 to 20 days, much longer than whiskey, which only requires 4 days of fermentation.
At the end of fermentation, the maple sap becomes alcohol. The resulting mash is then distilled in a still to refine the alcohol, resulting in acerum!
Some producers, like the Shefford Distillery then chooses to age the acerum in barrels to give the spirit greater complexity. For example, it can develop more woody or spicy aromas and nuances.
How to enjoy acerum?
Since acerum comes in different varieties, it can be enjoyed in several ways.
If you want to enjoy it pure and simple, it's best to drink Acerum at room temperature or slightly chilled to fully discover all its aromas and subtleties. Since it's (surprisingly) not very sweet, it's a pleasant drink with dessert or simply at the end of a meal.
Both white and brown acerum are great in cocktails. You can discover various original recipes on the Shefford Distillery website .
Discover all the secrets of Quebec acerum
Acerum certainly has the potential to become Quebec's signature alcohol, especially as more and more distillers are taking an interest in its production.
Are you curious to discover the ins and outs of Quebec acerum production? Reserve your place today for the Barrel Tour!
