CH living legend Guy Lafleur is about to launch his No. 10 Gin to “pepper” his opponents, as he liked to say in the bedroom at the time before an important match.
“In the playoffs, we said, ‘We’re going to pepper them, the Flyers or the Bruins’. It’s an expression I used occasionally. It works well with gin ”, laughed the“ Blond Demon ”in an interview with the Journalyesterday, at Verger Hemmingford, which produces it in Montérégie.
It was last year that Guy Lafleur had the taste of having his gin.
“It started last year with the Players Association, which signed an agreement with JP Wiser for whiskey. It was for 10,000 bottles, all of the profits going to the organization, ”said the former hockey player, who had concocted the spirit with six former players, including Larry Robinson.
After this first experience, Guy Lafleur wanted to launch his own products. He then turned to Gilles Chevalier, a long-time friend who co-founded a vineyard in Niagara 14 years ago.
“We said to ourselves: ‘Why don’t we bring out a wine, a gin, a whiskey?’ He came back to me two or three weeks later and said: “We are going to start with wines”, “continued the ex-hockey player.
100% Quebecois
Today, Guy Lafleur Wines and Spirits offers a white wine (Chardonnay), a red (Cabernet franc), in the Signature Series, and three reds in the Collection Series (Merlot, Syrah, Grand Vin) 2017.
For Guy Lafleur, it was important to have a 100% Quebec gin to honor our local producers.
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“We have nothing to envy of anyone else in the world or other provinces when it comes to spirits. We have the people here who are capable of doing these things and of doing them well in order to produce a truly quality product, ”he added.
Before targeting the world market, the former hockey player has Quebec and Canada in the crosshairs. No way for him to skip the stages by immediately launching into the international market.
“It’s unique”
“We will go step by step. I wouldn’t say no if it’s a global market, but I don’t dream in color either [Rires]. For me, what is important is to sell the product across the country. We have a very large market here, ”he insisted.
The former CH star player is happy to see the Quebec gin market in full swing because of the wide variety of products on the market.
“Peppery gin is unique. People who tasted it can’t believe it, ”concluded Guy Lafleur, with a smile on his face.
► Guy Lafleur’s Gin no 10 should be officially launched this fall. Certain branches of the Société des alcools du Québec already have the product in stock.
Inspired by steak
Courtesy photo
François Pouliot, owner of Verger Hemmingford, and Daniel Brongo, master distiller, have concocted a range of “100% Quebecois” spirits with Guy Lafleur.
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The Quebec producer of Guy Lafleur’s Gin no 10 had the pepper flash when the hockey legend told him he liked good old pepper steak.
“When we met Guy [Lafleur] and we started talking, we immediately gave up the flowers and went “pepper steak”, ”says François Pouliot, owner of the Verger Hemmingford cider house, which makes Gin no 10 from“ Démon blond ”.
Like any gin, the precious nectar flavored with juniper berries had to have a special touch. But no question of putting orange peels or cardamom to give it a rowdy taste.
“We had three meetings before we found the right dosage of pepper and juniper. He was presented with the final version last February when he launched his wines and everyone was won over. So we started with large-scale distillation, ”he continued.
“No fuss”
A stone’s throw from him, Daniel Brongo, master gin distiller, explains why pepper went without saying.
“We often associate pepper with spiciness, but beyond that, there are a lot of aromas,” he added.
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For the artist behind Gin # 10, it was important to craft a product that respected the likeable personality of the hockey legend.
“He’s a simple guy. No fluff. I was inspired by that. You can easily go with the perfume with the gin, but we opted for pepper because it is friendly and simple, and it is found in all the kitchens of Quebec ”, underlined Daniel Brongo.
While the gin has not yet officially launched, François Pouliot and his sidekick are already working on a vodka, with as much pleasure as ever.
“We started to make a vodka. We gave Guy Lafleur a version 1. We are at 85%, there. We have a special touch, ”shared the businessman.
A privilege
For him, working with a living hockey legend is a privilege that he enjoys one sip at a time.
“Last summer, what struck me is that when you give him your hand, the forearm is like an anvil. It’s stupid. I imagined myself when I was young trying to take the puck from him, but forget about it, ”he concluded.
“I hope I will see this in my lifetime”
Do you believe in the return of the Nordics?
I hope that I will see that during my lifetime the day Quebec will have a team again because I find that it is a must in the league that a team returns to Quebec City. Out of respect for hockey fans and also for the Montreal-Quebec competition side. There was rivalry not only between the players, but between the fans, the journalists. It was a war, but it was okay.
Do you still feel the flame in the Canadiens?
It’s a question of pride and belonging. It was like that in my time. We had a lot of respect for the players who played before us like Maurice Richard, Bernard Geoffrion, Jean-Guy Talbot, Jacques Plante, Jean Béliveau. They were warriors. They are the ones who made hockey so popular in Quebec, and still is. The dynasty, it is they who built it. We continued to do what these guys did. It’s up to today’s players to continue.
How are you doing ?
I’m great. I had two large operations. I got out of the hospital and went into confinement. It is as if I had not gone out. I’m waiting to get my helicopter licenses back. I am waiting for Transport Canada. I have been a pilot since 1995. My tests have passed. I really enjoyed going to Niagara in the vineyards by helicopter.
Like actor Harrison Ford?
(Laughs) Yes. I met Harrison Ford in Fort Worth at Bell Textron because every year we’re going to get upgrades. It must have been about fifteen years. Of course, we all get old at some point. It’s your doctor who renews your license. This is what is boring. For me, it happened during COVID-19. I was asked to have breathing and endurance tests on the mat and ultrasounds for the heart.
How are you coping with the pandemic?
I hope we will get out of it because it is unlivable. Especially for people like us who are reaching a certain age. We are being robbed of time. We are basically taking time away from us. Time to travel. To do the things you love. I have a two year old granddaughter. It’s hard for grandparents. I think it will be resolved within a year. In 2021, we should start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Well, I hope.
Do you think hockey will never be the same again?
I think it will come back, but even if we fill the auditoriums, people change. They will always be wary. It’s a little worrying, the future. Especially with all the money the governments have given. Young people today will be in debt for several years. It’s scary. It’s crazy.
Do you think Justin Trudeau wasted money?
In the current context, it’s easy to criticize, but it’s difficult to do the opposite. You have to help your people. People wonder why we gave students $ 2,000. They don’t want to work. There is a lack of resources in different areas, but the world will always complain, but the debt is there the same.
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