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.' The government is asking distillers, farmers, and tourism groups what rules should apply—things like minimum aging time, where it must be distilled, and what ingredients can be used.
Why This Matters
If you enjoy Alberta-made spirits, this could mean clearer labels and quality guarantees. Local distillers and grain farmers have a stake in how strict the rules are. Tourism operators see potential to market Alberta whisky like Scotland does Scotch.
What Could Change
A new Alberta Whisky Act would set legal standards for aging, ingredients, and distillation location. Products not meeting the criteria couldn't use the 'Alberta Whisky' label. A certification system would verify compliance.
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?
- How can the legislation support tourism and exports?
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 align with international trade agreements while supporting access to foreign markets?