Fortitude Akvavit is a Québec-made aged aquavit produced by Distillerie du Quai in Bécancour. It is a Norwegian-style spirit bottled at 45% ABV in a 700 ml format.
Unlike another Distillerie du Quai aquavit, 1989 Taffel Akvavit, Fortitude is aged in bourbon barrels for 12 months. The barrel ageing changes the profile of the aquavit, adding vanilla and woody notes to the botanical character of caraway, fennel, dill and anise. The finished spirit has an amber colour.
The name Fortitude is explained by the distillery as a contraction of the French words “fort” and “attitude”, referring to the courage required to endure difficulties. The label also carries the phrase “Avec le cœur jeune et les yeux brillants, vieillir est bonifié!”, which can be translated as “With a young heart and bright eyes, ageing is better!”, linking the name directly to the idea of ageing and maturation.
Music is also part of the presentation of Fortitude. Distillerie du Quai describes its spirits as “raised on music”, and Fortitude comes with a playlist containing more than eight hours of Norwegian rock from the 1980s to the present. The playlist was compiled by Norwegian collaborator Dag Jørgensen and Isaac Tremblay.
Fortitude received a Silver Medal at the London Spirits Competition in 2024, with 87 points. The competition described the aquavit with notes of star anise, cinnamon and cloves, while noting that anise remains prominent in the profile.
Distillerie du Quai also lists several cocktails made with Fortitude, including Fortitude in This Pear and Fortitude St. Patrick’s Day, showing that the aged aquavit is used both as a standalone spirit and as a cocktail ingredient.
Bottle gallery
About the producer
Distillerie du Quai
Bécancour, Quebec, Canada
Distillerie du Quai is a Québec distillery located in Sainte-Angèle-de-Laval, in Bécancour. The project was founded by Jean-François Rheault and developed in partnership with the nearby Ô Quai des Brasseurs brewery. The distillery began operations in 2019.
The original concept was built around the combination of spirits and music. The first major product was Supersonic, a London Dry gin distilled while a specific playlist played during production. Music remains part of the distillery’s identity, and some of its bottles include a QR code leading to the playlist associated with the spirit.
Distillerie du Quai produces spirits using slow distillation and selected botanicals. Its range includes gin, aquavit, vodka and liqueurs, as well as limited releases.
In 2021, Isaac Tremblay, one of the founders of Le Trou du Diable brewery, joined the distillery to work on business development and new products. His involvement also strengthened the connection between Distillerie du Quai and Norwegian collaborators, including Dag Jørgensen, who worked with the distillery on the development of 1989 Taffel Akvavit.
The distillery also has a focus on local production and operates its distilling facilities in Bécancour. Its products are distributed through the SAQ and are also available through the distillery’s own channels.
