Today the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking, the first formal steps toward establishing a legal definition for American single malt as a whiskey type that is distinctive to the United States.
This publication triggers a 60-day public comment period. Once closed, TTB is expected to review and ratify a final Standard of Identity. This typically takes about 30 days to complete, depending on the volume and nature of the comments.
The TTB was first petitioned to recognize American single malt as an official category in 2017 by producers XO Alambic, Rémy Cointreau, and Westland Distillery. This was in coordination with the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC), an association of American Single malt producers who have been championing this petition and lobbying on its behalf since its inception in 2016.
“We’re thrilled that today the TTB has published the notice of proposed rulemaking for an American Single Malt Whiskey Standard of Identity,” says ASMWC president Steve Hawley. “The category will soon be officially out of the shadows and have its first moment in the sun. While we’re not yet to the finish line, today marks a major milestone we’ve been working toward since coming together as the ASMW Commission in 2016.”
The exact definition as posted on the Federal Register states: “American Single Malt Whisky is whisky that is mashed, matured and distilled at a single United States distillery, is so distilled to a proof not exceeding 160° proof from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley, is stored in oak containers not exceeding a capacity of 700 liters, and is bottled at not less than 80° proof.”
As this petition stands, the rules around what constitutes an American single malt whiskey is a broader definition than the rules surrounding bourbon or rye. The ASMWC designed this open-ended language deliberately to allow producers the creative freedom to produce a wide range of whiskey styles. Arch Watkins, a co-founder of Old Line Spirits in Baltimore and ASMWC member, explains.
“The TTB notice is a critical step needed to elevate the category into the mainstream. These Standards of Identity will allow a wider window for flavors and styles within the category. We do feel that if distilleries do things like add coloring, they should indicate such on the label, so the customer has an opportunity to better understand what they’re buying. From the consumer standpoint, I think they’re going to see more American Single Malts on the shelf when the official Standard of Identity is hopefully set.”
“The TTB notice is a critical step needed to elevate [American Single Malt] into the mainstream. These Standards of Identity will allow a wider window for flavors and styles within the category."
— Arch Watkins, a co-founder of Old Line Spirits in Baltimore and ASMWC member
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