Hand-crafted from nature in the Laurentians

High fences keep out the deer – which made off with some very special vegetation – and allow Jean-Yves Gaudet and Ginette Baril to hand-craft their treasures: the liqueurs, spirits and mistelles of Bois St-Cyr.

At first glance, the woods seem unchanged. But with my hosts, who have a deep knowledge of Laurentian vegetation, I discover an oasis of plants, bushes and wild fruit trees, all carefully tended. It’s an extraordinary botanical excursion: wild choke-cherries, grapes, blackberries, black currants, raspberries, elderberries, apples, cherries and more.

A former forestry technician in Témiscamingue, Jean-Yves spent years studying how to grow fruits in this plant hardiness zone, which allowed the Verger des Tourterelles (orchard) to take flight, and then he left after twenty years of operation. To give free rein to his other passion, sculpture, Jean-Yves and his spouse decided to settle in the Laurentians, and created Bois St-Cyr.

Jean-Yves, who loves to explore the forest, makes his alcoholic beverages with great care from what nature provides, combining and processing wild fruits and plants to bring out the flavours. As with sculpture, it requires patience, precision and creativity. The resulting liquids delight both nose and palate.

To taste: an aperitif liqueur from hawthorn berries served over ice, its refined flavour reminiscent of Pineault de Charente and whisky; the mistelle made from elderberries and wild black currants…like freshness in the mouth! Note to those who like chocolate or dark rum: the liqueur made from chokeberries is divine.

As for the Mistelle of wild strawberries, you’d think you were picking strawberries; and the Mistelle of Saskatoon berries and raspberries, with notes of almond paste, well…like a sunny summer day. Whether as a drink before or after dinner, with dessert or for a kir, choice is almost impossible.

The craftspeople of Bois St-Cyr will be at the Mont-Laurier Christmas Market.

bois.st.cyr@gmail.com

By the same author: Sunflower master apprentice: Nicolas, age 10 (Click the image below)