2 days ago
Bourbon blues: Five months into ban, Canadian bars running dry of Kentucky whiskey
Canadian bars that stocked up on Kentucky Bourbon are running on fumes five months into its nation's ban on US booze – yanking popular cocktails from menus or slapping on a premium for the scarce commodity.
In March, provinces ordered their liquor stores to yank all American products from their shelves, in retaliation for the Trump administration slapping 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.
One Canadian bar owner told The Post he stocked up on half gallons of Kentucky Bourbon to survive the trade war.
3 Rafferty, who stocked up in March, is down to his last few bottles of Bourbon.
Courtesy of Johnny Rafferty
'When Ontario said it was going to take every American brand off the shelf, I went nuts,' said Johnny Rafferty, owner of Rose and Crown bar in Toronto.
Rafferty bought six cases in March, each containing six bottles of the Bluegrass State spirit.
'When I showed up, they just had these monster bottles,' he said. 'I pretty much grabbed whatever I could.'
He's now down to his last four — two bottles of Jim Beam, one Jack Daniel's and a Bulleit.
'If these tariffs lift, I think it'll be a free for all,' he said.
3 Canada pulled US booze from shelves back in March in response to US tariffs.
REUTERS
Another bar owner meanwhile has been overcharging customers who are desperate for a taste of Kentucky whiskey — the now rare liquor.
'Because it's in limited supply, I charge more for it, right?' Scott Swain, manager of Danu Social House told CBC News.
'It's a premium product right now.'
3 Except for Alberta, other provinces have stuck with the ban, even five months in.
VCG via Reuters Connect
Bourbon makers in Kentucky had slammed Canada's ban as a 'disproportionate response' to the trade war.
Alberta — where some have warmed to the idea of a 51st state — lifted the US booze ban in June to help ease trade negotiations, but other Northern provinces have shown no sign of relenting.
