TTB Proposes Formal Definition For American Single Malt Whiskey
U.S. Government’s Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau Issues A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Emerging Category
Friday, July 29th, 2022 – U.S. whiskey drinkers are on the brink of having a new official category to call their own: American Single Malt Whiskey. Today, the U.S. Government’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish a formal Standard of Identity for American Single Malt Whiskey. For years, single malt has not been defined in America as it has been in nations around the world, most specifically in Scotland. Following a years-long campaign by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and its distiller-members, the first major regulatory step has been taken to formally recognize the emerging category.
The TTB is proposing that American Single Malt Whiskey be officially defined as:
Ø Made from 100% Malted Barley
Ø Distilled Entirely at One Distillery
Ø Mashed, Distilled and Matured in the United States
Ø Matured in Oak Casks of a Capacity Not Exceeding 700 Liters
Ø Distilled at No More than 160 (U.S.) Proof (80% ABV)
Ø Bottled at 80 (U.S.) Proof of More (40% ABV)
The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission was founded in 2016 to establish, promote and protect the category of American Single Malt Whiskey. It counts nearly 100 member producers from across the U.S. TTB’s proposal would formalize the definition of single malt whiskey made in the U.S. and regulate what distillers can and cannot include on labels for the category.
“A formal definition is important, first and foremost, to protect consumers. Whiskey lovers should have every confidence that what they think is in a bottle of American Single Malt Whiskey, actually is,” says Steve Hawley, President of the Commission. “We’re thrilled that today TTB has published the notice of proposed rulemaking for an American Single Malt Whiskey Standard of Identity and that soon the category will be recognized globally. Today marks a major milestone we’ve been working toward since coming together as a group in 2016.”
Today’s TTB notice triggers a 60-day public comment period which closes on September 27th, 2022. Following that comment period, TTB will conduct a final review before adding American Single Malt Whiskey to the official federal register. “While we’re taking a moment to celebrate today, our work is far from done,” says Jared Himstedt, Vice President of the Commission and Head Distiller at Balcones Distilling in Waco, TX. “We’ve garnered widespread industry and consumer support for this definition for American Single Malt Whiskey and it’s important that we all make our voices of support heard during the public comment period.”
Supporters can submit comments on this proposal as an individual or on behalf of a business or other organization at the Regulations.gov website. For those interested in learning more about the proposed definition and receiving a copy of the Commission’s formal comment, sign up on the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission website.
###
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SINGLE MALT WHISKEY COMMISSION
The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission was formed in 2016 in response to the growing need for American-based producers to define the category—both domestically and internationally—in order to protect, educate, promote, and ultimately grow it. To learn more or sign up to support the Commission, visit www.americansinglemaltwhiskey.org.
Media Contact:
Steve Hawley
American Single Malt Whiskey Commission
(206) 377-9229, steve@americansinglemaltwhiskey.org
