Bartender Spirits Awards’ Post

🥃 American Single Malt whiskey is having a moment. The TTB has officially recognized ASM as a distinct spirits category, effective January 2025 - the first new American whiskey designation since bourbon in 1964. This recognition will help consumers discover the 200+ ASM producers and 1,000+ bottlings more easily. The new standard requires ASMs to be made from 100% malted barley, distilled at a single U.S. distillery, and aged in oak barrels. Industry experts predict this change will boost global visibility, particularly in markets where "whisky" means Scotch. With major players like Jim Beam and Jack Daniel's entering the category, ASM could become the next whiskey phenomenon. #Whiskey #AmericanSingleMalt #Spirits #Bourbon #CraftSpirits #SpiritsIndustry

American Single Malt gets official Standard of Identity from TTB. In a final rule, available now on the Federal Register’s Public Inspection page and scheduled to be 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. 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. This final rule is effective on January 19, 2025. We have also 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.

It is time for the TTB to finalize the official standard for the Single Malt Whiskey category. This new standard will establish trust in the category, clarify label declarations, and equip consumers with the necessary information to make informed purchasing decisions. The formal establishment will also signal to the world that we recognize American Single Malt Whiskey as a unique category, like Bourbon, that deserves to be defined, recognized and protected. Read more from The Spirits Business.

AMERICAN SINGLE MALT WHISKEY EARNS ITS OWN STANDARD OF IDENTITY The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will issue its final rule establishing a new “American Single Malt Whiskey” category, a move that will help protect and promote this growing line of specially created distilled spirits. The document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 12/18/2024 and available online at https://lnkd.in/eyPbWXUT, and on https://govinfo.gov     Key provisions of the American Single Malt Whiskey Standard include: (1)  fermented mash of 100% malted barley produced in the United States; (2)  distillation proof of 160 or less, distilled at the same distillery in the United States; (3)  stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels, with a 700 liter maximum capacity and only stored in the United States; (4)  no neutral spirits permitted; and (5)  no allowable coloring, flavoring, or blending materials permitted, except for caramel coloring that is disclosed on the label. The final rule also adopted a standard for the “Straight American Single Malt Whiskey,” requiring that the liquor be aged for a minimum of 2 years to earn the name.  As you might expect, these special trade designations don’t just happen. Two key trade associations, the American Single Malt Commission (ASMWC) and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), were instrumental in designing the concept as well as lobbying the federal government for its adoption. They also worked through DISCUS’ Spirits United to generate more than 1,000 letters from members of the alcohol beverage industry as well as the public at large to TTB Administrator Mary Ryan urging immediate action to finalize the official standard for the American Single Malt Whiskey category. The campaign kicked-off following a joint letter that was sent by DISCUS and the ASMWC to TTB on the issue. These “Standards of Identity” are coveted by distillers, much like “Champagne” is viewed by French wine makers and “Reggiano Parmesan” is seen by Italian cheese makers, to protect the unique nature of those products. As Chris Swonger, President of DISCUS, recently noted: “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.” TTB's final rule becomes effective on January 19, 2025. #whiskey; #standardofidentity; #DISCUS; #ASMWC; #americansinglemaltwhiskey; #distilledspirits

Late Friday, our federal regulator, the TTB, legally defined the style of whiskey our distillery Brother Justus Whiskey Co. helped pioneer and has been developing for the last ten years: American Single Malt. Our approach is simple: combine the strengths of Scotch whisky with the strengths of American whiskey to create new possibilities. From Scotch, all malted barley unlocked by precision, high-proof distillation. From American whiskey, new charred white oak barrel. The new rule eliminates distillation flexibility for American Single Malt distillers, forcing them to distill all-barley whiskey the same way bourbon is distilled, at 160 proof or less, instead of with the freedom single malt distillers in other countries enjoy. We can keep making our whiskey, but we can't call it "American Single Malt" anymore. A legal definition is a good thing. The wrong definition that stifles innovation and limits the freedom to craft better flavors is worse than no definition at all. Who loses? American craft distillers like ours competing against megadistilleries by advancing innovations they don’t want to try. And consumers who won’t have access to the vast quality and flavor options this method provides. A few quick points on TTB’s weak reasoning in establishing this limit: 1. 160 proof limit is necessary to prevent “neutral spirit” TTB quotes President William Howard Taft, who was president in 1909, to state, incorrectly, that spirit distilled between 160 and 190 proof is “neutral spirit.” Quite a choice. TTB already has a scientifically accurate, generally accepted definition for “neutral spirits” today in 2024: spirits distilled “at or above 95 percent alcohol by volume (190° proof).” 2. American ‘malt whiskey’ has a 160 proof limit. American ‘malt whiskey’ distilled at 160 proof has been around a long time. Has anyone had any? How would you gauge its success in competing against bourbon and Scotch? I rest my case. 3. While Scotland doesn’t limit distillation proof, it requires pot stills and we don't want to, so.... A pot still is a great tool. You can make flavorful whiskey on pot stills. You can also make 190 proof neutral grain spirits. Same with the pot-column hybrid stills most craft distillers use. What matters in great whiskey is great whiskey flavor. That depends on the quality of the ingredients, the intention of the distiller, the precision of their cuts, and the excellence of their craft. Not their type of still. TTB ignored our comments, evidence, and arguments, even wrongly attributing a sparce summary of them to a different distillery. Well. We’re not going anywhere.  The TTB built a wall around American Single Malt, with us on the outside. But from where I stand, it's a cage. We're determined to stay free.

American Single Malt Is Finally An Official Whiskey Category   After several years of deliberations, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued its final rule establishing a new American Single Malt Whiskey category.   After several years of deliberations, the TTB has issued its final rule establishing a new American Single Malt Whiskey category. The ruling will help protect and promote the growing category of American Single Malt (ASM) whiskey.   Steve Hawley, the ASMWC President, an organization of several hundred ASM whiskey producers, hailed the landmark ruling from the TTB, noting that it “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.  This is great news for America’s distillers and spirits consumers. This formal definition will protect the integrity of American Single Malt Whiskey and drive experimentation, creativity, and innovation in this popular category.   Key provisions of the American Single Malt Whiskey Standard include:   (1) fermented mash of 100% malted barley produced in the United States; (Note that the barley doesn’t need to be produced in the US, just the mashing and subsequent production)   (2) distillation proof of 160 or less, distilled at the same distillery in the United States;   (3) stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels with a 700-liter maximum capacity and only stored in the United States;   (4) no neutral spirits permitted; and   (5) no allowable coloring, flavoring, or blending materials are permitted except for caramel coloring disclosed on the label.   The final rule also adopted a standard for the Straight American Single Malt Whiskey, requiring that it 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. #whiskey #americansinglemalt #craftdistillery #eod #endofdaysdistillery #wilmington #northcarolina

Breaking news that will shape the future of American whiskey: the TTB has officially recognized 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐲 as its own category! As of December 18th, this historic moment marks the first new federal designation for an American whiskey in over 52 years. With this recognition, the category now has a consistent set of standards: 100% malted barley, distilled at one distillery, and aged in oak barrels. But this is just the beginning. These standards ensure quality while giving distilleries the freedom to innovate and bring their unique house styles to life. The ratification of American Single Malt isn’t just about rules—it’s about unlocking the potential of a category that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship. “This is a landmark ruling by TTB and validation for years’ worth of work by American distillers to define American Single Malt. It has been over 52 years since a new type of whiskey was added to our federal regulations. We applaud TTB for formalizing the category which will signal to the world that not only do we believe in and support our own distilleries, but we also recognize that American Single Malt Whiskey is unique and deserves to be defined and protected as other American whiskey categories are. Most importantly, this new definition ensures that consumers worldwide can have every confidence that what they think is in a bottle of American Single Malt Whiskey actually is.” - Steve Hawley, American Single Malt Whiskey Commission President At 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, we’re proud to work with distilleries that embrace this ethos, pushing the boundaries of what whiskey can be. This is a milestone worth celebrating, not just for distillers but for whiskey lovers everywhere. Here’s to a bold future for American Single Malt—and to the pioneers who’ve made it possible!

530 years in the making: The History of Whisky Let’s time travel today, eh? 🛞 1494 - The First Record: Documented evidence of whisky appears in Scotland's Exchequer Rolls, marking the distillation of the medicinal "aqua vitae" by Friar John Cor. 🛞 1608 - Oldest License: Bushmills, in Northern Ireland, secures its license, becoming the world's oldest licensed distillery. 🛞 1823 - Legal Distilling: The Excise Act legalises distilling in the UK for a fee, sparking a boom in legal and innovative distilling practices. 🛞 1831 - Distillation Innovation: Aeneas Coffey invents the Coffey still, revolutionising whisky production by enabling continuous distillation. 🛞 1920s - Prohibition's Unlikely Hero: During U.S. Prohibition (boo!), Scottish and Canadian whiskies gain popularity in underground bars, expanding their international market. 🛞 1963 - Single Malt Scotches Go Global: Glenfiddich starts to globally market single malts (traditionally used only in blends), and reshapes consumer tastes in the process. 🛞 1980s - Market Downturn and Revival: The whisky industry faces a downturn, leading to distillery closures, but setting the stage for a resurgence in craft and premium whisky. 🛞 2000s - The Age of Cask Experimentation: Distilleries begin experimenting with cask finishes, using barrels from wine, sherry, rum, and even beer to enhance complexity and flavour. 🛞 2010s - The Dawn of Japanese Whisky: Japanese whiskies, like Yamazaki, gain international acclaim, winning numerous global awards and expanding the whisky market. 🛞 Today - High Tech Meets High Tradition: From production and blockchain to track provenance, to Diageo's SmokeDNAi and exploration of exactly what occurs while whisky ages in its cask, it’s the most exciting time to be alive for whisky lovers. You can’t deny it, whisky’s history is as rich and layered as the drink itself. Sláinte! 🥃 P.S. Got anything interesting to add? 📸 Friar John Cor

#Whisky Connoisseurs Assemble! What is in your glass today? Are you opting for a single malt or a Blended malt whisky, Bourbon maybe? The choice is definitely yours! There is no better way to order that peated whisky than you believe is best! Maybe those of you wondering, mmmh... should I call it whisky or whiskey? Well, to those who know, no explanation is needed. But wait, are you among those thinking this is just a grammar issue pegged to the region? You are wrong, let me take you on a small whisky class so you won't embarrass yourself later in the day when your boys invite you for that 12-year singleton single malt. Whisky is only used on drinks produced in Scotland, actually, there are legal restraints prohibiting branding your drink 'whisky' if not produced in Scotland. Intrigued? Well, we all know the Super Power, you know, the US. Copycat maybe? I did not say. They call it Whiskey. Ever heard of Tennessee whiskey? The US own the trademark name 'Whiskey.' Now, maybe you are wondering what the difference is between a single malt, blended malt, and a bourbon. Well, a single malt is a whisky from a single distillery made from a mash that uses only one particular malted grain. Can you guess what blended malt whisky is? You are right; it is a mixture of single-malt whiskies from different distilleries. Lastly, what is a Bourbon whiskey? Just the name Whiskey already tells you where it's from, right? Or were you not attentive? Bourbon is a type of barrel-aged American whiskey made primarily from corn. Lets put it precisely, 51% of the grain used is corn. Are you already feeling like a whisky sommelier? Well, you should step out in confidence and order that 12- or 15-year-old single malt. Wait, I almost forgot! Wondering what a 12-year-old whisky means? Well, "12 Years Old" means that the youngest whisky in the bottle is at least 12 years old. This is where manufacturers get to develop that unique taste in every product. You never really know how many casked whiskies are in one whisky. Now, with this knowledge, I am free! Pin location maybe? Enjoy your #worldwhiskyday!! #whisky #alcoholicbeverages #beverageindustry