The Differences Between Rum, Acerum, and Maple Liqueur
Three Quebec spirits, three stories of character.
In Quebec, we love what’s made here—especially when it comes to spirits. And if you’ve ever wondered what makes rum, acerum, and maple liqueur different, you’re not alone.
These three spirits share a certain sweetness and a deep connection to local culture, but they come from very different raw materials and production methods.
Rum: The Warmth of Cane Sugar
Rum is a spirit made from sugarcane. Traditionally produced in tropical regions, several Quebec distilleries—like FOVE—have taken on the challenge of crafting it locally using imported molasses.
Process:
Molasses (or sometimes sugarcane juice) is fermented and then distilled. The result is a clear spirit that can later be aged to produce dark or aged rum.
Flavor profile:
Notes of caramel, vanilla, candied fruits, and spices. Rum is rich, round, and often found in classic cocktails like the Daiquiri, Mojito, or Dark ’n’ Stormy.
Acerum: The Spirit of Quebec in a Bottle
Acerum is a 100% Quebec-born spirit made from fermented maple syrup or maple sap.
It’s the northern cousin of rum—a true local innovation recognized by a protected designation in Quebec. It holds a Geographical Indication (GI) that designates it as a maple eau-de-vie produced exclusively in Quebec from local maple sap.
Process:
Maple sugar is fermented and then distilled into a dry spirit, with no sugar added after distillation.
It’s a pure product that expresses the aromatic depth of maple without being overly sweet.
Flavor profile:
Floral, woody, and slightly smoky notes, depending on aging.
Acerum Blanc is bright and lively—perfect for cocktails—while Acerum Ambré offers warm vanilla and caramel nuances thanks to its time in oak barrels.
Maple Liqueur: Sweet and Velvety
Maple liqueur belongs to a different family—the sweetened spirits.
It’s made by blending a neutral alcohol with pure maple syrup.
Process:
No further distillation is required. The alcohol and maple syrup are blended, then the texture and alcohol content (usually between 15% and 30%) are adjusted.
Flavor profile:
Rich, round, and sweet.
It’s the perfect partner for desserts, boozy coffees, or even a sugar-shack brunch.
Three Ways to Celebrate Quebec Craftsmanship
Each of these spirits has its own personality:
Rum evokes southern warmth, reimagined by local artisans.
Acerum is a 100% Quebec signature, deeply rooted in our terroir.
Maple liqueur embodies the generosity and indulgence of Quebec.
And at FOVE, we love exploring these worlds, blending and reinventing them—like with our FOVE Coffee Rum, an audacious fusion of tradition and Montreal roasting culture.
