Quebec

[Ben]

I'm starting a new thread similar to our friends in BC to discuss Quebec local matters.

SAQ started selling a few weeks ago the Havana Club Cuban Barrel Proof, at 55$. The same rum could be bought at LCBO for a few months now. I tried it a few years ago, and it was good. SAQ was even selling the 15 years Gran Reserva for a while but they're out of stock.

The following rums have been out of stock as well :

Appleton Estate Master Blenders Legacy
Madras from Guadeloupe
Plantation Trinidad and Jamaique
Bacardi 151
and all Angostura's

A few novelties:

-SAQ is now selling Ron Abuelo Anejo from Panama, at a price of 25.55
-ED 5 years, at 25.65, and Santa Teresa 1796 are back in stock

[dom]

Nice idea Ben for this thread. I hope other "Quebecers" will join this forum.

Good news for the ED5. I was just out of stock and about to get a bottle. I didn't know it was out of stock.

Dom

[RonJames]

Not a quebec resident but a visiter. The MBL would be nice if they could restock it. Can't get it in the states.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by RonJames

Not a quebec resident but a visiter.

Everybody is welcome !

Originally Posted by RonJames

The MBL would be nice if they could restock it. Can't get it in the states.

It should be back. It's available in other provinces as well. Appleton is arguably the most popular rum in Canada.

[RonJames]

Just out of curiosity what is the LCBO? Different than the SAQ?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by RonJames

Just out of curiosity what is the LCBO? Different than the SAQ?

Hi RonJames

In Canada, liquor distribution is controlled by the governement of each province, more precisely, by institutions which are linked to the government.

In Quebec we have the SAQ, or Sociйtй des Alcools du Quйbec, which would be translated to Liquor Society of Quebec. In Ontario the organism is called Liquor Control Board of Ontario, or LCBO (www.lcbo.com). It's basically the same pattern for each province. Alberta is a bit different, stores are privately owned but I think the distribution is still government-linked. Members from Alberta can confirm that.

Selection is a bit different from one province to another, and prices as well (they're usually always higher than the States though). Within one province, selection is basically the same from one store to another, so you are never surprised while going to a SAQ or LCBO There's no treasure hunting, so that's why we canadians love it so much going to states which are not government controlled, like Mass., New York, CA or AZ. Like a child going to Toys'R'us.

[RonJames]

LOLOLOL, my wife and me even have a store we call toys r us!

[dom]

My "Toy'R,us" when I go to the states is Total wine and spirits in FL. They have like 3x the selection we have in SAQ and the prices are 1/2 of what we pay in average.

I,m sure if I would travel to CA, Hi-Times would be my preffered store. Too bad they can't ship to Quebec

[Patapouf]

Originally Posted by dom

My "Toy'R,us" when I go to the states is Total wine and spirits in FL. They have like 3x the selection we have in SAQ and the prices are 1/2 of what we pay in average.

I,m sure if I would travel to CA, Hi-Times would be my preffered store. Too bad they can't ship to Quebec

Lol! I had the same experience while driving through New Hampshire, stopping at one of the highway liquor stores. I was absolutely floored by the prices and selection. I almost cried since i couldn't bring anything back home (my stay was only one night)!!

What I like in Quйbec, because I go often, is your selection in rhum agricoles. We don't have any in NB.

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Patapouf

Lol! I had the same experience while driving through New Hampshire, stopping at one of the highway liquor stores. I was absolutely floored by the prices and selection. I almost cried since i couldn't bring anything back home (my stay was only one night)!!

I've been there too. Couldn't believe that Pampero Aniversario was sold 19.99 and Barbancourt 5 stars 17.99, so I had to buy them just to make sure it was not a mistake

Strangely though Pyrat XO is sold 34.99, whereas you can find it at around 21-22 in NY.

By the way, Patapouf, you have to work on your poker face when you clear customs!