Harper Government Investing in Innovative Distillery Technology

Project to raise demand for Canadian barley and create local jobs

October 15, 2014 – Victoria, British Columbia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Minister of State and MP John Duncan (Vancouver Island North), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment of $2.37 million to Macaloney Brewers and Distillers, who are bringing an accelerated whisky maturation process to market, a first in North America.

This announcement will help the Canadian distillery establish a new facility in Greater Victoria that will produce premium whiskies with just three years of aging, compared to the average 10 to 12 years commonly used. The introduction of this technology will benefit agricultural producers by increasing demand for malt barley, in addition to generating an estimated 79 full-time jobs.

Quick Facts 

• Macaloney is a start-up distillery that plans to produce premium whiskies, including single malts, pot still and straight rye for both the domestic and export markets.

• The Canadian distillery industry employs over 1,200 Canadians and generates $1.3 billion in whisky sales in Canada and around the world.

• The project is forecast to increase demand for Canada-grown malt barley by 500 tonnes annually by 2018.

• This investment is made through the Enabling Commercialization and Adoption stream of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698 million program under Growing Forward 2.

Quotes

“Our government remains focused on the economy. Our grain farming and whisky industries play an important role in creating jobs and driving exports. Macaloney Distillers is an exciting new player in the Canadian whisky arena, and key investments in innovation like this one will allow them to be competitive with the Scotch, Irish and Bourbon whisky exporters, while rapidly establishing and growing exports to a diversified global marketplace.”

– Minister of State John Duncan, MP 

“Macaloney Distillers’ vision is to utilize B.C.-farmed and malt barley to produce premium single malt whiskies, ultimately for export to over 30 countries worldwide. The rapid whisky maturation innovation supported by this vital AgriInnovation Program will allow us to access these markets in a faster and more flexible way.”

– Dr. Graeme Macaloney, President, Macaloney Brewers and Distillers 

Additional Links 

• Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• AgriInnovation Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Macaloney Distillers