The TTB or Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has issued the final ruling regarding the American Single Malt Whiskey category. The goal of this ruling is to protect the burgeoning category. The American Single Malt Commission (ASMWC) and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) have been working towards this goal for some time now.
“This is a landmark ruling from the TTB that further cements our standing on the global stage in whiskey. 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.” ~ ASMWC President Steve Hawley
“We want to thank the TTB for listening to the needs of U.S. distillers and working with the industry to provide an official standard for the American Single Malt Whiskey category. This is great news for America’s distillers and spirits consumers. Having this formal definition is going to protect the integrity of American Single Malt Whiskey and drive experimentation, creativity and innovation in this popular category.” ~ DISCUS President & CEO Chris Swonger
The ruling for the American Single Malt Whiskey Standard includes:
- Fermented mash of 100% malted barley produced in the United States
- Distillation proof of 160 or less, distilled at the same distillery in the United States
- Stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels, with a 700 liter maximum capacity and only stored in the United States
- No neutral spirits permitted
- No allowable coloring, flavoring, or blending materials permitted, except for caramel coloring that is disclosed on the label.
The final rule also cemented a standard requiring that American Single Malt Whiskey must be aged for a minimum of 2 years. The final rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and the effective date is Jan. 19, 2025.
