Distillers are a patient group of people. They are used to waiting two, four, or even 20 years for a fine whiskey to mature. But when it comes to waiting on the TTB their patience is wearing thin.
Hurry Up and Wait – It’s Been 2-Years
On July 29th, 2022, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish new standards of identity for American Single Malt Whiskey. And two years later, U.S. distillers are still waiting for TTB to issue the final rule with the formal definition.
A formal, government-approved definition for American Single Malt Whiskey will establish trust in the category, clarify label declarations, and equip consumers with the necessary information to make informed purchasing decisions.
Regulations protecting the standard of identity for Bourbon and Scotch Whisky have been in place for generations and similar regulations are necessary to protect the developing American Single Malt Whiskey category in the United States.
The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) are calling out the TTB saying, “It’s time for TTB to finish the job and protect the American Single Malt Whiskey category!”
The two coalitions representing more than 100 large and small American Single Malt Whiskey producers sent a letter to the Treasury Department’s Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) urging the bureau to finalize the official standard for this category, which stands as one of the fastest growing categories of American whiskey over the past decade.
The letter stated, “In the two years since the Bureau issued its notice, the need for a formal standard has grown ever-more urgent. From the largest multinational spirits companies to smallest regional craft distilleries, a significant amount of investment has been poured into American Single Malt Whiskey. This highlights the desirability of the category but also brings into stark focus the risks posed by the lack of a standard.”
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The coalition noted that in addition to producers, consumers will benefit from a clear definition of what constitutes American Single Malt Whiskey.
“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.”
DISCUS and ASMWC submitted an official joint comment to TTB in September 2022 in support of establishing a standard of identity for American Single Malt Whiskey as part of the Bureau’s 2022 notice of proposed rulemaking process.
Proposed Standard Definition for
‘American Single Malt Whiskey’
DISCUS and ASMWC are aligned that the American Single Malt Whiskey standard should follow the five rules below.
- Be distilled from 100% malted barley;
- Allow for the ability for producers to create brands that are distilled from grains other than barley, provided that those grains are clearly denoted on the label (e.g., American Single Malt Rye Whiskey);
- Incorporate a 700-liter oak barrel limit;
- Allow the use of used, uncharred new, and charred new oak barrels; and
- Prohibit the use of harmless flavoring, coloring, and blending materials.
It’s time TTB protects American Single Malt Whiskey – Urge the TTB to Take Action
DISCUS and ASMWC launched a campaign through Spirits United encouraging distillers and other interested parties to urge TTB to finalize the standards of identity for American Single Malt Whiskey.
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