After years of concerted effort led by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and countless comments from distillers and industry stakeholders, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued a final rule creating a new American Single Malt Whiskey category. The craft spirits industry is celebrating.
“This is a landmark ruling from the TTB that further cements our standing on the global stage in whiskey,” said ASMWC President Steve Hawley in a press release. “We applaud TTB for hearing the call from distillers, purveyors and fans of American Single Malt, and formalizing a definition that supports and protects our producers both here and abroad. It’s a momentous day for American Single Malt Whiskey, and this is just the beginning of a bright future for the category.”
“We’ve worked so long and so hard for this — my friends here at Westland and our colleagues around the industry,” says Tyler Pederson, master distiller at Westland Distillery. “It really is a watershed moment for American whiskey. I find this akin to the recognition and protection of Champagne and its distinction from sparkling wine.”
“We’re so happy to see the TTB finally recognizing this distinctive style of American whiskey,” says ADI President Erik Owens. “An official standard of identity will help American single malt whiskey makers promote their products more effectively and carve out space on shelves and menus around the world. This ruling ushers in an exciting new chapter for craft distillers.”
“Americans have been distilling whiskey for centuries, and I’m so thrilled to see that the TTB has finally announced American Single Malt as an official and protected category of American whiskey,” said Virginia Distillery Company’s CEO Gareth H. Moore and ASMWC Treasurer. “As one of the co-founding members of the ASMWC, this monumental moment is very important to me. The American Single Malt category will further broaden the view of the American whiskey consumer and fuel innovation and premiumization across domestic products.”
“Getting your brand or whiskey out there is difficult for any small company,” says Pederson. “But when you’re creating something new, it’s even more challenging. This is a rising tide that should lift all the boats.”
The final rule outlines the following standards of identity for the new category:
(1) fermented mash of 100% malted barley produced in the United States;
(2) distillation proof of 160 or less, distilled at the same distillery in the United States;
(3) stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels, with a 700 liter maximum capacity and only stored in the United States;
(4) no neutral spirits permitted; and
(5) no allowable coloring, flavoring, or blending materials permitted, except for caramel coloring that is disclosed on the label.
The rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2024 and will go into effect January 19, 2025.
