NEWS

American Single Malt Takes Shape

The TTB has released a proposed definition for the standards of identity of American Single Malt. Under the proposal, to be labeled “American single malt whisky” the product must be distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery, and must be mashed, distilled, aged in the United States. The product also must be sourced from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley, at a distillation proof of 160° or less, and stored in oak barrels not exceeding 700 liters. In addition, allowable coloring, flavoring, and blending materials would be permitted. The proposal caps years of organizing by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission to create the new standard of identity.

Premiumization Will Drive Growth

Industry market research firm ISWR recently released a report showing that value, rather than volume, will be the primary driver of growth across all beverage alcohol categories over the next five years. A burgeoning “drink less, but better” trend among Millennials and legal drinking age Gen Z consumers, as well as ample runway for premiumization in the distilled spirits space, are key drivers. Find the report online at www.theiwsr.com.

New Liberty Distillery Named ADI’s Distiller of the Year

New Liberty Distillery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was awarded ADI’s prestigious Bubble Cap Award for Distiller of the Year at the 2022 ADI Conference. “New Liberty has become a cornerstone of the city of Philadelphia,” said Erik Owens, President of ADI. “On top of being one of the best craft distilleries in the U.S., they have quadrupled their size through acquisition, and now have large-scale canning and bottling capacity. The team truly had an amazing year and deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the industry.”

Events

Blending, Maturation & Warehousing Workshop

December 5-7, 2022. Ironroot Republic Distillery, Dennison, Texas

This popular master class returns for its fifth consecutive year led by Master Blender Nancy Fraley and spirits consultant Julia Nourney. Learn about blending philosophies and techniques, applied sensory analysis, practical warehouse management techniques that support desired blending goals, and much more. Registration is now live on www.distilling.com.

ADI International Spirits Competition

Thinking of submitting to ADI’s 2023 International Spirits Competition? Now is the time. Submissions are now open, with Early Bird Registration discounts available until February 3, 2023. Submissions close on March 3, 2023. Visit www.distilling.com for full details, including fees, registration forms, and COLA waivers.

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Margarett Waterbury is the editor of Distiller Magazine. Based in Portland, Oregon, she covers drinks, food, and culture for national and international press. She is the former managing editor of Edible Portland, as well as the cofounder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash, an award-winning whiskey website twice recognized as Website of the Year by the International Whisky Competition. In 2017, Margarett won the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award from the Spirits Journal. She received fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019. Her first book, Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland’s Whiskies (Sterling), came out in 2020.