Should Alberta Create Official Standards for 'Alberta Whisky'?
Official title: Alberta Whisky Act engagement
Alberta wants to create a new law defining what can be called 'Alberta Whisky.' Think of it like champagne rules—only whisky meeting certain standards could use the name. The government is asking distillers, farmers, and tourism groups what those standards should be.
Why This Matters
Love Alberta whisky? This could change what's in your glass. New rules would set minimum aging times and ingredient requirements. For Alberta farmers, it could mean more demand for local grain. Distillery workers and craft producers would see new opportunities—or new hoops to jump through.
What Could Change
A new Alberta Whisky Act would set legal standards for aging, ingredients, and where distillation happens. Products not meeting the criteria couldn't use the 'Alberta Whisky' label. A certification system would verify compliance. This could boost exports by giving Alberta whisky official geographic recognition, similar to Scotch or bourbon.
Key Issues
- What minimum aging period should be required for Alberta Whisky?
- What ingredients and distillation practices should be mandatory?
- How should certification and quality assurance work, and who should oversee it?
- How can the legislation support tourism and exports while meeting trade agreements?
How to Participate
- This is a targeted stakeholder engagement. If you're involved in Alberta's whisky industry, agriculture sector, or tourism associations, contact sartr.acgp@gov.ab.ca to participate.
Submit Your Input
Questions Being Asked (4)
- What production standards and input requirements should apply (minimum aging periods, mash ingredient composition, distillation practices, use of additives, distillation location)?
- How should a potential certification or quality assurance system work, and who should oversee it?
- What opportunities exist to use legislation to bolster tourism, exports, and consumer awareness of Alberta-made whisky?
- How can the legislation ensure consistency with international trade obligations and support access to foreign markets?