About Old Habits
Old Habits is a Vancouver Island-based maker of traditional, naturally fermented fish sauces, using only two ingredients: wild-caught local fish and Pacific Northwest sea salt—a method inspired by ancient Roman techniques from 2,000 years ago
Why It’s Special
- Traditional minimalist approach: Only fish and salt, no additives—fermented like ancient Roman garum or Italian colatura, Japanese shottsuru, and ishiri.
- Lower salt content and longer aging than most commercial sauces, producing a gentler yet intensely flavored product that stands on its own like olive oil or soy sauce
- Seasonal, limited-edition barrels and small-batch barrel aging enhance complexity and craft exclusivity
ROE HERRING 5 YEAR: Their longest aged product. Like if Bottarga and Fish Sauce had a baby. Made with Spring Roe Herring (Clupea Pallasi) and aged 5 long years. The herring used are wild-harvested during March spawning season and are abundant with roe. This makes for a very concentrated, slightly sweet & salty but mild flavor profile that tastes both familiar and unique at the same time. The long aging process concentrates flavours while reducing the harshness and saltiness.
