Black Velvet Distilling Company
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Lethbridge, Alberta · Own site · blackvelvetwhisky.com
Company size not establishedMain products hit
The Lethbridge distillery makes Black Velvet and Golden Wedding Canadian whisky from rye, barley and corn, aged in bourbon barrels.
It’s definitely going to negatively affect us in the short term, but in the long run we don’t know what’s going to happenSource: whitehouse.gov, Sep 29, 2026
Black Velvet is Canadian whisky under HTS 2208.30.60, which carried a 50% US duty from August 22, 2026 and, since September 29, 2026, can no longer be imported into the United States at all. CBC reported on September 3, 2026 that 95 per cent of the Lethbridge distillery's roughly 10 million litres a year is sold in the United States, where it is bottled.
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In their own words
The majority of our market right now is the United States, but we are anxious to get active again in Canada
Claude Bilodeau, vice-president and general manager, Black Velvet Distilling Company (via CBC News) · cbc.ca, Sep 3, 2026
Speaking at the brand's 75th anniversary in Lethbridge about the 50% US tariff and plans for a Lethbridge bottling line for the Canadian market.
Quoted word for word from public posts and articles. Owners can claim the listing to add or remove a quote.
Made in Canada
Black Velvet says its whisky is made with "crystal clear Canadian water, plus the finest ingredients, our whisky is expertly distilled, Blended at Birth™, and matured in premium oak barrels," and CBC reports it has been made at the Lethbridge distillery since 1973.
On the tariff list
- HTS 2208.30.60 · Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 percent vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages, Whiskies, Other · 50% since Aug 22, 2026
The brand site sells "Black Velvet Original Canadian Whisky"; Canadian whisky falls under HTS 2208.30.60.
Rates are the additional US duty under Section 338. About the tariffs
Sources
- cbc.ca · accessed 2026-09-29
has since 1973 been made at the Lethbridge distillery, where Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and Golden Wedding Canadian Whisky are currently produced
- cbc.ca · accessed 2026-09-29
which is owned by Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Brands
- cbc.ca · accessed 2026-09-29
The Lethbridge facility makes about 10 million litres of whisky a year, but it’s bottled in the United States and 95 per cent of the Lethbridge-produced alcohol ends up being sold south of the border.
- blackvelvetwhisky.com · accessed 2026-09-29
Using crystal clear Canadian water, plus the finest ingredients, our whisky is expertly distilled, Blended at Birth™, and matured in premium oak barrels.
- blackvelvetwhisky.com · accessed 2026-09-29
Black Velvet is crafted from a mix of high-quality grains, including rye, barley, and corn.
- blackvelvetwhisky.com · accessed 2026-09-29
Imported and bottled by Black Velvet Import Co. Bardstown, KY
- whitehouse.gov · accessed 2026-09-29
2208.30.60
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