TTB Establishes 'American Single Malt Whisky' Standard of Identity

In a final rule published on December 18, 2024, we are amending the distilled spirits standards of identity regulations to include “American single malt whisky” as a type of whisky that is produced in the United States and meets certain other criteria.

Source: A.T.F. Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau

The adopted criteria for American single malt whisky specify that the product be a type of whisky that is mashed, distilled, and aged in the United States; is distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery; is distilled to a proof of 160 or less; is distilled from a fermented mash of 100 percent malted barley; is stored in oak barrels (used, uncharred new, or charred new) with a maximum capacity of 700 liters; and is bottled at not less than 80° proof. In addition, the criteria allow for the use of caramel coloring as long as its use is disclosed on the product label. The regulation will also allow the use of the term “Straight” for an American single malt whisky that is aged for at least two years.

We proposed the new standard of identity in response to petitions and comments submitted by several distillers and the American Single Malt Whisky Commission. We finalized the petitioned-for standard of identity with some changes to reflect comments received in response to the related notice of proposed rulemaking. All documents and comments related to this new standard of identity proposal are posted on the Regulations.gov website within Docket No. TTB–2022–0007.

This final rule is effective on January 19, 2025. TTB also has established a 5-year transition period so that a label with the designation “American single malt whisky” or “straight American single malt whisky” may be used on distilled spirits bottled before January 19, 2030, if the distilled spirits conform to the applicable standards set forth in 27 CFR part 5 in effect prior to January 19, 2025.

Distilled Spirits Labeling

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Levi Gwaltney

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