AquaVice Aquavit
Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, Canada
AquaVice is an aquavit produced by Vice & Vertu Distilleries in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, Canada. It is bottled at 40% ABV and is described by the distillery as an artisanal eau-de-vie with a fresh, vegetal character.
Caraway is the main botanical in AquaVice, accompanied by spearmint, staghorn sumac, birch, hibiscus and star anise. The combination gives the spirit a profile that differs from the more traditional dill- and caraway-focused aquavits. The distillery describes the character as fresh and herbal, with mint, caraway and anise among the more noticeable notes.
Unlike the traditional maceration method mentioned by the distillery, AquaVice is produced using the same still as Vice & Vertu’s gin. A botanical basket is used during distillation to extract the aromas from the ingredients.
AquaVice is intended to be consumed neat as well as used in cocktails. The distillery recommends it with seafood and in drinks such as an Aquavit Sour, while white cranberry juice is also suggested as a mixer. It was first introduced in 2019 and has received several awards, including a bronze medal at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition in 2020 and Best Akvavit and Double Gold at the 2024 Sunset Spirit Awards.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Vice & Vertu Distilleries
Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, Canada
Vice & Vertu Distilleries is a craft distillery located in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, near Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The distillery was founded by Franck Sergerie, a radiologist whose interest in spirits and distillation eventually developed into a commercial distillery.
The distillery opened in 2017, with BeOrigin as its first product. Before starting the business, Sergerie spent several years studying spirits and distillation and attending seminars and training courses in the field. His background in medicine and his interest in distilling became part of the identity of the company, reflected in the name Vice & Vertu, which refers to the contrast between vice and virtue, science and creativity, and tradition and experimentation.
Vice & Vertu produces a range of spirits in its own facilities, including gin, aquavit, vodka and whisky. The distillery works with locally sourced ingredients and also grows grain on its own agricultural land. Its production facilities include a mash tun, four fermentation tanks, a stainless-steel still and copper stills used for different types of spirits.