MEETING MONTREAL ORIGINAL, THE BRAND REDEFINING THE CLASSIC

January 28, 2026
Sweetch
Brand focus
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WHEN VISIONS MEET

In the world of vaping, some meetings go beyond the simple professional framework. They reveal common visions, shared requirements and the same desire to change uses in the right direction.

This is precisely what happened when Arnaud, CEO of Sweetch, met Nathan Fréchette-Gagnon, CEO of Montreal Original.

Very quickly, the exchanges highlighted an obvious common ground: the conviction that vaping, and must, play a On aromatic outbidding, Montreal Original offers a more essential approach: returning to taste, sensations, and what really works to quit smoking.

From this meeting was born the desire to collaborate and make the vapers of French-speaking Switzerland discover a brand with a strong identity, carried by a unique know-how and an assumed vision of the classic.

PRESENTATION OF MONTREAL ORIGINAL

A brand born of a clear ambition

Founded in Canada by several enthusiasts from different backgrounds, Montreal Original was born from a specific objective: to bring real added value to the electronic cigarette industry. Since its creation, the brand chose to specialise in a demanding and technical segment: classic e-liquids.

Assuming on the assumption that the success of smoking cessation often depends on the fidelity of flavours and sensations, Montreal Original has made its mission to create e-liquids capable of restoring the taste of tobacco in the fairest way possible.

Reverse osmosis: an innovative approach to tobacco

To achieve this level of realism, the brand has developed a natural tobacco extraction method that is still relatively uncommon in vaping: reverse osmosis. Inspired by processes already used in other sectors, this technique extracts only the aromatic molecules from tobacco, without retaining any residues.

Thanks to this process, Montreal Original guarantees e-liquids with more authentic flavours, without superfluous addition and without alteration of the original aromatic profile.

Of fresh, clean and non-sweet classics

In the image of NET (Naturally Extracted Tobacco) e-liquids, the creations Montreal Original preserve all the aromatic richness of the plant. The difference lies in the purity of the result: no residue, no heavy on the mouth, and liquids perfectly adapted to a daily vape.

The e-liquids of the brand are also recognised for their realistic taste, with the most of the traditional cigarette, and are guaranteed without sucralose or sweeteners. An assumed choice, coherent with the philosophy of the brand, which favours authenticity rather than the artifice.

E-liquids that have become references, multi-award-winning

Over the years, Montreal Original has established itself as an essential classic brand, with e-liquids that have become emblematic and are regularly rewarded on the international vape scene.

Among the historical bestsellers, RODEO occupies a special place. At his side, CHANCE, a grilled American classic with an intense and frank rendering, seduces with its remarkable proximity to the traditional cigarette, while OASIS, a subtle blend of Turkish and Virginia tobaccoes, offers a dry and slightly spicy profile, inspired by the great tobacco classics.

The brand is also illustrated with FRENCH CLASSIC, awarded at Vapexpo Paris, a full-bodied, rich and authentic French classic, as well as with AMERICAN CLASSIC, recognised as a perfectly balanced, velvety and controlled all-day. BRITISH CLASSIC, softer and more elegant, completes this range with a round and naturally slightly sweet profile.

In terms of freshness and more atypical signatures, Montreal Original once again demonstrates its know-how. GLACIAL MINT offers intense and long-lasting freshness, while GREEN MINT seduces with its naturalness, softness and balance.

The brand was also distinguished for VIEUX-PORT, awarded at the Vapexpo Paris, a classic of Virginia with remarkable realism, as well as for CANADIEN, awarded at the Vapexpo Athens, a bold and unique blend combining whiskey, maple and tobacco, a true Canadian signature.

These distinctions confirm what vapers see on a daily basis: Montreal Original is not content to offer classics, it redefines the standards, with faithful e-liquids, not sweet and designed to sustainably support the transition of smokers to vaping.

Nathan Fréchette-Gagnon, a vision shaped by experience

Montreal Original CEO Nathan Fréchette-Gagnon grew up in Montreal. His personal journey is deeply linked to the world of tobacco and vaping. A smoker from a young age, he discovered e-cigarettes in 2013, a decisive step that marked a real turning point in his life.

After working in specialist shops and studying psychology at university, he met the founders of Montreal Original, who had an ambitious project: to reproduce the taste of tobacco with unrivalled fidelity using an innovative natural extraction process.

Seduced by the vision and potential of the project, Nathan invested himself fully in developing the brand before becoming its president. Today, Montreal Original has established itself as a leading player in classic e-liquids, recognised for its high standards, consistency and commitment to vapers.

INTERVIEW OF MONTREAL ORIGINAL

1. How did the idea of creating an e-liquid brand focused on the authentic taste of tobacco come about?

The idea came from a very simple observation: many smokers who switched to vaping did not like the tobacco flavours on offer. There were lots of very sweet, highly flavoured creations, but few products capable of reproducing the taste of tobacco in a credible way. The other founders of Montreal Original and I shared the belief that in order to successfully quit smoking for good, it was necessary to respect the smoker's sensory cues. So the goal was clear from the outset: to work with tobacco seriously, rigorously and realistically, without artifice.

2. What inspired you to leave the world of traditional tobacco for that of vaping?

I lost several loved ones to tobacco, yet I continued to smoke myself. Traditional substitutes did not suit me, as they did not satisfy either the physical act or the sensations. Vaping was the first truly effective alternative for me: it enabled me to quit smoking from day one. This experience marked a turning point and naturally fuelled my desire to make a long-term commitment to the world of vaping.

3. How would you define Montreal Original's identity in a few words?

Authenticity, high standards and consistency. Our mission is to offer products designed for smokers and created by ex-smokers. Premium products, in understated, adult packaging, at a price that is accessible to all.

4. What distinguishes your approach, particularly your reverse osmosis extraction method, from that of other brands?

Most tobacco liquids on the market are made from food flavourings and do not accurately reproduce the taste of cigarettes. Other brands that offer natural extracts mostly use organic tobacco plants and employ a maceration process. Their products generally have very intense flavours. What sets our brand apart is that we use industrial tobacco, the kind people smoke in their cigarettes, and we are able to reproduce its flavour in a mild, light form that is pleasant to vape all day long.

5. You talk a lot about authenticity: why is it so important to you in the design of your e-liquids?

Because authenticity means respecting the vaper. A smoker who wants to quit doesn't need to be sold a sweet illusion of tobacco. They need to rediscover credible, familiar, reassuring sensations. Authenticity allows for a smooth transition, without frustration.

6. How do you choose the flavour profiles for your e-liquids?

Our approach is largely based on the best-selling cigarette brands in each market. Our primary goal is to provide realistic equivalents to the flavours smokers are familiar with when they first switch to e-cigarettes. Once these niches are covered, we focus on offering complementary products that bring real added value to the market. We have come a long way, so if we introduce a product to a market, it is because we believe there is a gap in the current offering or a specific need to be met.

7. Can you tell us about your bestsellers and what inspired them?

As our approach is largely based on replicating the flavours of the most popular cigarette brands on the market, our bestsellers often rank similarly. There is a clear parallel between our sales rankings and those of cigarette manufacturers, because we meet a need for equivalence in the vaping market for smokers. Overall, I think what appeals most to Montreal Original customers is the combination of realistic cigarette flavour and lightness: our products can be vaped all day long without getting tired of them.

8. You also offer mint e-liquids: how do you expand your range of products while remaining true to your DNA?

Everything we do is rooted in our desire to offer targeted products tailored to the needs of smokers and ex-smokers. The decision to add two mint flavours to our catalogue may seem a little unusual for us, but it is part of our commitment to offering the widest possible range of smoking cessation products within the brand. Mints are often used and sought after by smokers who are just starting their journey. We therefore wanted to offer mints with a balanced, low-sugar profile and a mature image in keeping with the times.

9. What type of feedback do you receive most often from your users?

When we meet vapers who use our brand, they are often proud to tell us that they use our products. It is so important for a vaper who is an ex-smoker to find the right tobacco for them. I have always found that e-cigarettes and the e-liquid we vape all day, every day, are something very personal. That's why, when I meet someone who vapes our products, who is proud to say so and who is attached to their Montreal Original e-liquid, it is touching, satisfying and extremely motivating.

10. Are there any memorable anecdotes or testimonials that particularly touched you?

There are several. For me personally, it's always when I meet people who have been smokers for many years, real heavy smokers, and who have managed to quit thanks to our products that I feel the most excitement. That's the DNA and the heart of what we do: developing products for smokers that provide them with a real replacement.

11. Are there any distinctions or highlights in vape shows that you are particularly proud of?

In terms of awards, we were very proud to win the award for the second best classic in France at Vapexpo Paris 2024 with our French Classic e-liquid. It was a product we had worked on for a very long time, and it was extremely satisfying to see the market recognise the work we had put into it. More recently, we were also very proud to win the title of Best Tobacco in Spain at Vapexpo Madrid 2025. Although ultimately what matters most is the people we are able to help, it is always gratifying to be recognised by the industry for the work we do, especially when these awards recognise authentic, mild and unsweetened products. This is the gamble we took on the real needs of smokers.

12. What are Montreal Original's main ambitions for the next 3 to 5 years?

We want to continue our mission to help as many smokers as possible, in as many markets as possible. We don't enter many markets each year: we only launch in a country if we are confident that we can give it the attention it deserves, while continuing to take good care of the other countries we serve. The brand's ambition is to continue doing things this way, with the same level of attention, in at least fifteen countries.

13. Which product is closest to your heart and why?

For me, it's definitely the Vieux Port. Although it's not the equivalent of a cigarette brand smoked in Europe, it's the equivalent of the Canadian cigarette brand that I personally smoked at the time. It's my all-day vape and the product I've been vaping for five years now.

14. If Montreal Original could collaborate with any personality or brand (in or outside of vaping), who would you choose and for what project?

That's a good question. I can't say that there's necessarily a specific public figure or brand that comes to mind. However, I can say that we want to work with the best retail professionals in every country where we operate. We are truly passionate about what we do, and we only want to work with people who share that passion.

No matter how good your product is, if you don't have the right partners to help you get it into the hands of the end consumer, it will remain just a good product. To really make a difference, you need to join forces with other links in the supply chain and work with people who share your values and ambitions.

That's why we like to believe that we choose the best people to work with us, and that they choose us too. Our only wish is to be able to continue doing so for many years to come.

15. What message would you like to send to our readers and the Sweetch vaping community?

I sincerely hope that you will see all the work and passion that goes into our products. We created this brand as former smokers, for smokers. We understand the reality of being addicted to tobacco, and we do everything we can to ensure that our products help provide the right tools to break free from it.

Perhaps you are now at a point in your journey where you have completely detached yourself from traditional cigarettes, and even tobacco flavours in vaping. But we would like to share our message with you so that you, in turn, can pass it on to those around you: so that they know that products like ours also exist for the most reluctant and hardened smokers.

Happy vaping, everyone!