TTB recognises American Single Malt

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the US has recognised American single malt as a whiskey category. The final ruling comes after over two years of consideration and significant lobbying by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC).

According to the provisions of the standard, the whiskey must be made from a fermented mash of 100 percent malted barley produced in the US; have a distillation proof of 160 or less, distilled at the same distillery in the US; stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels, with a 700 litre maximum capacity and only stored in the US; no neutral spirits permitted; and no allowable colouring, flavouring, or blending materials permitted, except for caramel colouring that is disclosed on the label.

The final ruling also establishes that a straight American single malt whiskey has to be aged for a minimum of two years. The rule is scheduled to be published on December 18 and take effect on January 19, 2025.