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Alberta Tables Bill to Create a Protected 'Alberta Whisky' Label

The proposal seeks to turn place-based rules into a growth engine for local distillers.

Single malt whiskey ages in oak casks at the Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley, Alta. If the legislation passes, Alberta’s 45 whisky producers would be allowed to use the protected term 'Alberta Whisky' on their bottles.
Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally will introduce legislation to define and protect what can be labelled as "Alberta Whisky." on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. They were joined by Bryce Parsons, president and chair, Alberta Craft Distillers Association (in the hat) and Jordan Ramey, chief operations officer, Burwood Distillery.
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally, left, with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, announces a voting period for Alberta's new licence plates in Edmonton, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken

Overview

  • Alberta introduced Bill 24 on Tuesday to legally define the term Alberta Whisky, sending the measure to legislative review and debate.
  • The designation would require every step from mash to bottling to occur in Alberta, use 100% Alberta water, rely on at least two‑thirds Alberta-grown grain, age at least three years in small wood, and reach 40% alcohol by volume with only limited additions.
  • Participation would be voluntary, with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis set to enforce compliance if the bill passes, and the label would also bar workarounds like using the spelling Alberta whiskey.
  • Officials said artificial intelligence helped draft the bill under human review, marking the province’s first use of AI in writing legislation.
  • Industry groups welcomed a clearer brand identity for a sector that counts 45 distillers and recent national and global awards, and the government is exploring an industry-led Whisky Trail to draw tourists.