Mixologists, martini lovers, and limited-edition collectors, this is not a drill. Hendrick’s ORBIUM gin has just been restocked at the SAQ, and history shows it won’t be around for long! The last time Quebec shelves saw this coveted indigo bottle, it disappeared almost overnight.
If you want it, head to the SAQ app or website now, check your store’s availability, and secure your bottle before it’s gone. Word is, there won’t be another ORBIUM restock in Canada for six months.
As a fan of Limited Stock, Sacred Geometry and Indigo bottles – the Gin is just a bonus!
Where to Buy Hendrick’s ORBIUM in Montreal (and Beyond)
For those asking “Where can I buy Hendrick’s ORBIUM in Montreal?” The answer is simple: the SAQ. Availability varies store to store, so your best bet is the SAQ app or website’s live stock checker. Generally speaking finding it on the shelves of a larger or Singature SAQ will have better odds than a small mall pop-up. If you see it near you, don’t wait, Quebec allocations are notoriously small for Hendrick’s experimental spirits. Once collectors, bartenders, and martini lovers clear it out, you’re waiting until spring.
Spirit collectors don’t buy ordinary stock. They fill their cabinets with curiosities and Hendrick’s ORBIUM is exactly that: a rare, otherworldly gin destined for the top shelf.
Why I Feel Hendrick’s ORBIUM is a Must-Have for Gin Collectors
This isn’t your standard Hendrick’s. ORBIUM is a small batch gin crafted by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie as a “parallel universe” version of the original. It starts with the same cucumber and rose base you know and love, then takes a sharp left turn with three unexpected botanicals, making it sort of the Alpha of let’s say 2 Twin gins (Original + ORBIUM). Let’s discuss the notes that give it it’s rebellious rep.
Quinine (echoing the tonic in your G&T) We learned about Quinine’s medicinal qualities in an earlier piece from 50’s india!
Wormwood (the backbone of a martini’s vermouth)
Blue Lotus Blossom (balancing the bitterness with a round, silky finish)
The result? A gin that moves from floral brightness into deep, alluring bitterness. It’s complex, layered, and incredibly versatile in cocktails. Gin experts often call it an “exploration gin”: designed to challenge your palate, not just refresh it.
And let’s talk about the presentation: the apothecary-style dark blue bottle with its all-seeing eye label feels equal parts mysterious and luxurious. My mom who is indigo-glass-addicted has an old ORBIUM bottle, with the labels soaked off, as a vase for a single flower. (typically a Calla Lilly, a large single thorned rose or a Nigella) It’s a statement piece for your home bar AND vase collection!
The Martini Test: James Bond Style
A sip of ORBIUM is like Bond with a darker twist… smooth, dangerous, and unforgettable.
Rare gins deserve classic treatments, and nothing says classic like James Bond’s martini. ORBIUM’s wormwood backbone makes it a natural fit for the cocktail that defined sophistication.
Classic James Bond Martini (adapted for ORBIUM):
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3 oz Hendrick’s ORBIUM Gin
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1 oz vodka
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0.5 oz dry vermouth
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Stir over ice until perfectly chilled (Bond shook his, but the pros stir).
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Strain into a chilled martini glass.
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Garnish with a single green olive (or lemon twist for a sharper edge).
With ORBIUM, the martini becomes more than a drink, it’s a slow, elegant flavour journey worthy of 007 himself.
Limited Edition Alert: Don’t Wait Six Months
Hendrick’s ORBIUM is not mass-produced. It’s an experimental gin released in select markets only, and Quebec happens to be one of them. That means your opportunity to buy is rare and fleeting. Once this drop sells out, the SAQ won’t see another delivery for half a year.
Cheers! and here’s to having the inside scoop before everyone else…
