bass saint laurent | Saint Laurent Distillery closes

If you're planning a stop during your next vacation at the majestic tasting room at Distillerie du St. Laurent, in Pointe-au-Père, you'll have to reconsider your plans: the company is closing its doors permanently.

We knew it was facing financial difficulties: Distillerie du St. Laurent made an offer to its creditors in the spring of 2023. The company, founded in 2015, had opened its new waterfront facility the year before, in 2022. It is valued at $11.5 million. Among the distillery's creditors is a local businessman who worked on the project, the design of which was entrusted to Pierre Thibault's atelier.

Debts are estimated at more than $13 million.

Last Friday, May 17, creditors reportedly rejected the distillers' latest proposal, leading to the closure and upcoming liquidation of assets.

One of the founders of the Basse-Saint-Laurent distillery, Joel Pelletier, is president of the Federation of Small Distillers of Quebec. He preferred not to discuss this closure publicly at the present time since the company and its trustee are still in discussions with creditors.

SAQ is changing its way of doing things

Last month, the SAQ announced it was reviewing its supply management for Quebec's solutions. The state company will now select which products will have a place on its shelves – the proliferation of local spirits, particularly gin, has led to bottling on SAQ shelves, at a time of declining sales.