What is American single malt whiskey?

American single malt whiskey is about to become official. Here’s more on big news from the States. 

Think single malt is just for Scotch? Think again.

The category of single malt is made worldwide and various rules and regulations govern its production. 

Now the United States has officially ratified American single malt whiskey as a spirit category alongside the likes of bourbon and rye.

The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and other advocates spent years championing the idea and lobbying the TTB (the US Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau). Guidelines were initially submitted in July 2022 which was followed by a 60-day commenting period that ended in September 2022.

American Single Malt will be added to the Federal Register on 18 December 2024, making it the first new official American whiskey category in over 52 years. Some have even declared 18 December as Ratification Day and intend it to become an annual celebration every year.

This is huge news. The American whiskey category is forever changed, with official recognition legitimising and protecting this burgeoning style in the US and beyond.

What is American single malt whiskey?

So what exactly do the rules state? To call your product American Single Malt Whiskey, you must ensure the following provisions are met during production:

(1) The whisky must be made from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley produced in the United States;

(2) It must be distilled to a distillation proof of 160 or less, and distilled at the same distillery in the United States;

(3) The whiskey must be stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels, with a 700-litre maximum capacity only stored in the United States;

(4) There are no neutral spirits permitted; and

(5) no allowable colouring, flavouring, or blending materials are permitted, except for caramel colouring that is disclosed on the label.

The final ruling also establishes a standard for straight American single malt whiskey, which like straight bourbon must be aged a minimum of two years.

The rule is scheduled to be published on Wednesday 18 December and take effect on 19 January 2025.

We look forward to seeing what new products are created after this and raising a glass of American single malt whiskey. Here’s a trio of options for those who want to do the same:

American single malt whiskey to buy 2024

Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky

Single malt American whisky from Texas, distilled at Balcones and aged in bourbon American oak casks before bottling. This whiskey has won a lot of awards for its huge flavours. 

Westland American Single Malt

Seattle’s Westland Distillery is one of the pioneers of the American single malt. Its flagship whiskey spent at least 40 months maturing in a selection of new and used American oak casks, first-fill bourbon barrels, and first and second-fill oloroso sherry hogsheads and butts.

Copperworks 3 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) Whiskey

The first batch of Copperworks single malt independently bottled by That Boutique-y Whisky Company! This is a 3-year-old whiskey from Seattle that’s full of promise and power already.

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