b'THE WHISKY RIVALRY THAT ISNTCanadian and American distillers are working together to help distinguish each others products in a market category that has huge potentialestate whisky.Aimee Nielson and Marc ZienkiewiczASK ANY WHISKY fan about Canadian versus American products, and most will tell you theres a bitter rivalry between the two. The Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA) is redefining the future of the beverage, in part by highlighting the importance of cross-border cooperation. Established at the University of Kentucky in 2023, the alliance leverages more than 150 years of history in supporting the spirits industry around the globe through research, talent development and innovation. This all started because several of our partners brought to our attention that theres a categoryestate whiskeythats largely undefined, says Landon Borders, executive director of Innovation Connect at UK Innovate and director of the EWA. Its become fairly unique for a whiskey product to be sourced and completely produced on estate-owned or controlled lands. Given our history, resources and expertise, it made sense for us to support this as an unbiased third party. A Global Vision While the EWA has Kentucky roots, its reach is intentionally broad.Weve filed trademarks in the U.S., Canada, the EU, the U.K. and Japan, Borders says. This isnt just about bourbon.Above: Black Fox Farm and Its about creating a standard that can unite whiskey producersDistillerys SE Eleven whisky, made from triticale, comes globally, whether theyre making bourbon, Tennessee whiskey,in single grain, cask finish and Canadian whisky, Scotch or Japanese whisky.blended versions.EWA Operations Manager Alexa Narel says her goal is forRight: John Cote and Barb Stefanyshyn-two friends to walk into a liquor store, see the Estate WhiskeyCote operate Black Fox Farm & Distillery in Certified (EWC) mark on a bottle, and say, Lets get this oneSaskatoon, Sask. its local, its crafted, and its high quality. She says thats the kind of consumer awareness they want to build.One way this collaboration plays out is in the grains that Saskatchewans Black Fox Farm & Distillery is a memberfuel whisky production. Its no secret that American corn is of the EWA. According to owners John Cote and Barbused in many Canadian whiskies. But Black Fox Farm & Stefanyshyn-Cote, while the headlines often fuel division in theDistillery, located in Saskatoon, has taken a different approach whisky realm, the reality on the ground is quite different. The turning to a grain that is deeply rooted in Canadian agricul-whisky industry, like agriculture itself, thrives on collaboration. tural history: triticale.For weeks, the whisky world has been buzzing about anWe asked ourselves, If we can grow some of the best grains apparent rivalry between Canada and the United States, within the world here, whats stopping us from making some of the debates over which country produces the superior spirit. Beforebest whisky? Barb adds. We wanted something uniquely press time, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario announced itCanadian, something that wasnt dependent on American was removing U.S. liquor products from the shelves in responseimports. Thats how we landed on triticale.to the tariffs implemented on March 4.Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, has a strong connec-The truth is, we have a great relationship with distillerstion to Canadian plant breeding. Initially developed in Europe, down south, and they have a great relationship with us, Johnmuch of its refinement took place on the Prairies. It was specifi-says. Trade is essential to our industry. If we closed our bor- cally bred to thrive in Canadas climate and fit into local crop ders, a lot of people in agriculture would suffer. It just doesntrotations. But what surprised John and Barb most? It makes an make sense. exceptional whisky.14 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA MARCH 2025'