Defining a New Category. American Single Malt Whisky.

What is American Single Malt Whisky?

Is it the same thing as Scotch? How is it different from Bourbon or other types of Whiskies?

Well, we’re glad you asked. Because we think this stuff is really interesting. But just in case, maybe pull up a chair and pour yourself a nice glass of single malt first…

American Single Malt Whisky isn’t an official category that is enforceable just yet, but it is about to become one. In 2022, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) proposed to amend the regulations in 27 CFR part 5 which sets the standards for identity of distilled spirits to include “American single malt whisky” as a type of whisky that (like Bourbon currently) is a “distinctive product of the United States” and is something for us to be proud of.

American Single Malt Whisky isn’t Bourbon.

All Bourbon is American whisky, but not all American whisky is Bourbon. And here is one of the crucial differences, American Single Malt Whisky must be made with 100 % barley, Bourbon whisky must be made with corn.

Bourbon has had its own distinction since way back In 1964. Back then, the TTB defined Bourbon as a “distinctive product of the United States” and described what exactly it would take to call a whisky Bourbon, legally. It can only be made in America. It must be made with at least 51% corn, and it’s got to be aged in charred, new oak barrels.

American Single Malt Whisky isn’t Scotch.

All Scotch is whisky, but not all whisky is Scotch. Scotch must be made in Scotland to be called Scotch, and similarly American Single Malt Whisky must be made in America,

Scotland defined what could be legally called single malt scotch back in the Scotch Whisky Regulations of 2009, from the SWA. Single Malt Scotch Whisky must be made in Scotland. It must be made with 100% barley, and it can only come from one single distillery.

So, where does that leave American Single Malt Whisky?

American Single Malt Whisky is not from Scotland so it cannot be called Scotch. It is made with 100% barley so it cannot be called Bourbon. And… (to confuse things even more!) currently, if a distiller in America wants to age it in a re-used oak barrel, as the Scottish whiskies typically do, they cannot even call it “malt whisky”. In this scenario, distilleries have to label it “whisky distilled from malt mash”.

“Whisky Distilled From Malt Mash”

Here at Eagle River Whisky, our own Gilman has exactly this wording on the label, because it is aged in a “second-fill” or “seasoned” barrel.

Defining American Single Malt Whisky. A New Category in the Spirit of Single Malt Scotch.

In the US, there is a general agreement that an American Single Malt Whisky should follow the spirit of the Scottish regulations.

According to the 2009 regulations, Scotch whisky must:

Be made of only water and malted barley, plus other cereal grains (optional)

Be mashed, fermented, distilled to no more than 94.8% ABV, and matured in oak casks not exceeding 700 liters for a minimum of three years in Scotland

Not contain additives other than water and caramel coloring (e150a)

Retain the characteristics of its raw materials and production, and maturation methods (in other words, smell and taste like whisky)

Be bottled at no less than 40% ABV

So, American Single Malt Whisky will be a new category with similar regulations. The whisky must be 100% malted barley and produced at a single distillery, yet with no limitations on barrels being new or not. This way distillers can be more free to “play” with how different barrels affect the taste, and combine with our own unique terroir, here in America, and specifically for us, here in high-altitude Colorado. (And then we’ll need to print some new labels for our Gilman expression!)

In 2016, the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission was formed to help make this new definition happen, formally. And now, in 2023, the American whisky world is buzzing with anticipation. We are currently on the very cusp of that decision, and we expect it should come through any day now. When it does, we here at Eagle River Distillery will be ready to raise a glass and celebrate!

If you want to learn more, check out the American Single Malt Whisky Commission.