Shiddy's Distilling launched a reposado tequila on May 2, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. The word "tequila" can only be used for liquor distilled from the agave plant under specific conditions in certain parts of Mexico, such as its namesake city. This one was made in Jalisco before Shiddy's aged it in bourbon barrels for almost a year. The process makes it something of a pan-North American spirit.
A Canadian-ish tequila fits into the elbows-up trend that has taken hold among tariff turbulence with the United States, but not everyone has been convinced to divest from American spirits. Alberta had a brief ban on American liquor imports in the spring of 2025, but liquor stores here now sell U.S. alcohol as usual. Harsh Atthi, the owner-operator of Liquor Nerds in downtown Edmonton, told CBC's Sam Brooks that his customers don't mind buying American. "They'll buy it regardless," Atthi said. "They don't care what the origin is." Data from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis shows imports of U.S. wine, beer, and "refreshments" have dropped by 42%, 92%, and 70%, respectively. In comparison, spirits have declined by just 13.5%. Candace Bouteiller of Woodwork told CBC that, given a choice, diners tend to choose non-American wine, but they often come specifically for bourbon, most of which is made in Kentucky.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is working on legally defining what can be called "Alberta whisky", giving it similar protections to those applied to tequila and bourbon, if not the even more stringent protected designation of origin applied to Scotch and Champagne. Part of the government's plan is to eventually foster a trail of Alberta whisky distillers similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.