Quebec's Ungava gin brand sold to Ontario company for $12M

A Toronto-based company will pay $12-million cash to buy the Ungava gin brand and some of the other assets of Domaines Pinnacle Inc., based in southeastern Quebec.

The purchase by Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd. doesn't include the Cowansville-based company's cider business, which was founded in 2000 by Charles Crawford and Susan Reid.

Crawford will join Corby and become president of its new subsidiary, Ungava Spirits Co., which will continue to operate from Cowansville.

Ungava gin takes its name from Ungava Bay in northern Quebec and is made with botanicals that are native to the arctic region. 

The unique, yellow-coloured gin is has won numerous international awards, including a gold medal at the 2016 World Spirits Competition.

Pinnacle's other spirits businesses include Chic Choc spiced rum and a range of maple-based liqueurs.

The company was founded in 2000 by Charles Crawford and Susan Reid.

Corby primarily markets and distributes spirits under several brands including J.P. Wiser's whisky, Lamb's rum and Polar Ice vodka.

CAQ leader criticizes sale

The sale was promptly condemned by Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault as yet another example of a Quebec business being sold to interests from outside the province.

In February, Quebec home renovations retailer Rona was sold to the United States-based Lowe's for $3.2 billion in February, prompting similar hand-wringing from opposition politicians in the province.