“The Distilled Spirits Council, an industry group, estimated exports of U.S. distilled spirits to Canada at $43.4 million over the first six months of 2025, down about 62% from the same period in 2024. Exports of American wine were about 67% lower, the group said, citing U.S. trade data.”
Good job, Canada! Keep your elbows up!
We need a good replacement for bourbon though. No canadian whisky is a drop-in replacement
Edit: i know other styles of whisky exist. I’ve tried a lot of them. Nothing out there currently is close to bourbon. Not even the right type of grain to start with.
It’s like asking for a champagne replacement and people suggesting red wines instead of other types of sparkling white wine (of which many exist)
You won’t find “american bourbon taste” exactly… But just like you wont find Scotch taste exactly.
They’re different things, and learning to appreciate the good things in that diversity of style will only help you be happier in life… I love rye, it’s not the same as canadian whiskey, irish whiskey or scotch whisky, but itnhas its place in my cupboard. I’m sure you can find a good Indian or Japanese bourbon-copy whiskey!
Yes, but many japanese whisky is based on scottish methods and has a similar style to scotch. It would be a decent replacement if scotland decided to declare war on canada…
We need whisky distilled from corn and aged in oak… Yes, you cant call it bourbon, but it’s a better start than just trying to shoehorn rye whisky in as a replacement
If it makes y’all feel any better, it was legally pretty difficult to brew any kind of distilled liquor in the US following Prohibition until, like, 2010. America’s iconic alcohol products tend to be produced in places where there has been a traditional carve-out — at least on the East Coast, blue laws reign supreme.
Y’all have an entire Canada to make cannabis and liquor in. You have a real head start compared to us; you will find a way to replace American Whiskey, rum, gin, or beer in no time flat. Could be time for Canada to enjoy a Renaissance of importing foreign and exotic liquors, like soju or araqi.
There are a bunch of places in BC making gin, I can think of at least 15. Really interesting flavours and techniques. Two of my favourites are Victoria Gin and Sheringham Point. Tofino also has a good distillery. It’s the new craft alcohol scene since people are kinda off beer it seems. (I would add links but my internet is being wonky).
I got the opportunity to try this limited run from Compass recently, and it’s fantastic. Unfortunately, sold out already and they’re not currently making more, but they damn well should.
In general though, I found myself switching to Canadian whiskey in my cocktails a while ago. Canadian Club is still dog-ass and you shouldn’t touch the stuff, but that doesn’t mean other distillers haven’t been upping their game. Dillons has a really nice whiskey out now, to complement their selection of - and I am 100% not exaggerating here - the best god damn gins ever made, and the Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye deserves all the awards it was showered with. There’s also the Alberta Premium Cask Strength which everyone has been raving about. I’ve tried the regular Alberta Premium and it really is excellent. I imagine the cask strength is even better.
Can you be more specific on those gins? You have my attention.
Specifically, you want to get your hands on their Unfiltered Gin 22. It is, hands down, the best gin I have ever tasted.
Thanks!
I’ll have to see if I can pay a stupid tariff on it, then I’ll save it for when a particular obituary is in the paper.
No the person you asked, but see my comment above for some Vancouver island gin recommendations if you’re interested.
Dunrobin Distillery makes some good gin as well, though the Earl Grey gin is a novelty imo.
Nice! Thanks for the tip!
What about importing whiskey from Ireland? There are differences in taste, ingredients, and production methods, but it might be similar enough to be an alternative. Here is a good reference about the differences between whiskey and burbon. Bourbon is a spirit that evolved from whiskey production methods.