What is Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, and What Makes It Better Than Other Maple Syrups?

What is a pancake or a waffle without the sultry, sweet taste of warm, artisan maple syrup? As a staple breakfast condiment in many areas of the world, maple syrup is a delicious addition to anyone’s morning routine and demands love and care to craft.

Many tend to reach for the closest or cheapest bottle of maple syrup from their local grocery store, but they are missing out on an experience that cannot be matched - bourbon barrel aged maple syrup is a far superior addition to the breakfast table.

What is the difference between Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup and other maple syrups?

Common store bought maple syrups aren’t normally really made from actual sap from maple trees. Mostly, name brands you see in the store are made of a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, and artificial flavors. Artisan, carefully crafted bourbon barrel aged maple syrup like ours takes time. We take the time and care to tap our sap from sugar bushes on a century-old maple-growing area of 500 hectares at Escuminac in the Baie-des-Chaleurs in Gaspésie. We then make the syrup with amazing flavor profiles and age it in bourbon barrels to let the flavors seep into the syrup. The barrels hold the maple syrup for days or weeks, depending on the type, and is bottled fresh in craft glass bottles.

How do you age maple syrup?

Using scotch, cognac, and bourbon barrels, we let our maple syrup steep with the unique flavors produced by the wood and spirits trapped in the barrels. It then sits there for either days or weeks at a time before we bottle it. This process takes time, but it produces bourbon barrel aged maple syrup that is impossible to mimic in generic store brands. 

Does maple syrup really get better with age?

Absolutely. Allowing maple syrup to age in bourbon barrels lets the flavors of scotch, cognac, or bourbon that was housed in the wooden barrels before seep into the syrup, as well letting other flavors in to create a well-rounded profile. Our syrups include an array of flavors like caramel, honeysuckle, and cinnamon. The longer they steep together, the better and bolder they become. 

What else can I use bourbon barrel aged maple syrup for?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to how you can use our flavorful syrups. While you can of course keep it tradition with pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast favorites, our bourbon barrel aged maple syrup is also excellent to use in cocktails, marinades, desserts, and so much more.

What makes Escuminac bourbon barrel aged maple syrup different from others?

Our story and our dedication sets us apart from the rest of artisan maple syrup makers out there, but the taste is what really makes us shine. Founder Martin Malenfant, a third-generation maple syrup maker, has been invested in the industry since early childhood, when he would explore the sugar bushes on his grandparent’s lands. In 1987 he acquired his first sugar shack in Ste-Rita, Canada, and after years of work, research and innovation, he established Érablière Escuminac in 1998, sharing his love of maple and birch syrup with the world. The land is home to one of the finest mature yellow birch forests in Quebec, which allowed Malenfant to produce high-quality maple syrup while also respecting the environment.

Today, Érablière Escuminac operates 65,000 taps dedicated to organic maple syrup production and 5,000 taps for production of organic birch sap. 

Our syrups are USDA organic certified. We do not use additives, preservatives, or artificial flavorings. Escuminac has been awarded several accolades, including the Best Syrup Award from Spirit’s Innovation Awards in Paris, the Great Taste Award in 2019, and has been recognized by Vogue. 

What are the different types of bourbon barrel aged maple syrup offered?

The best way to experience the different maple syrups we create is through our Gift Box, which includes three barrel aged maple syrups in a sophisticated gift box. These syrups were aged in scotch, cognac, and bourbon barrels. 

Another way to experience our unique syrups is through our Extra Rare, Great Harvest, or Late Harvest options.