Citing ‘Competitive Pressures,’ US Distillers Urge Officials to Finalize American Single Malt Category Regulations

The Distilled Spirits Council and American Single Malt Whiskey Society have contacted the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau requesting that rules about the American Single Malt Whiskey category be finalized. (Photo: DISCUS/ASMWC)

The Distilled Spirits Council (DICCUS) and American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) sent a letter to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on Monday, placing a bit of pressure on the organization to finalize regulations for the American Single Malt whiskey category.

Monday marked the second anniversary of when both organizations reached out to the TTB and asked the Bureau to finalize rules for the proper production process of American Single Malts, and U.S. distillers are still waiting.

“Adoption of new regulations and a formal standard of identity is of critical importance to our members, suppliers, trade partners and, most importantly, our consumers,” the letter read.

Both organizations wrote that a “significant amount of investment,” was “poured” into the category with brands like Westland, Bear Fight and even heavy hitters like High West getting in on the trend.

They noted global pressures, such as Japan’s recent implementation of formal guidelines as to what defined the category of Japanese whisky. Those guidelines went into effect in April. DISCUS and the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission suggested that the United States was lagging behind and cited other reasons as to why regulations were urgently needed.

“American Single Malt Whiskey is also facing threats from brands with questionable or misleading labeling, as well as spurious and self-motivated claims that American Single Malt broadly is of suspect quality.”

The two organizations cited the virtues of the category, praised its uniqueness and claimed that it would be “the next big thing in whiskey globally.” Though the ball is in the TTB’s court, DISCUS and ASMWC expressed that they would be available to assist the organization in escalating matters until the regulations are finalized.

What Are The Proposed Rules for the American Single Malt Category?

DISCUS and the American single Malt Whiskey Commission proposed that the standards for American Single Malt Whiskey should comprise of the following rules:

1. American Single Malts should be distilled exclusively from a mashbill of 100% malted barley.
2. Grains other than barley can be used as long as they are “clearly denoted” on the label.
3. American Single Malt Whiskey should not be matured in anything larger than a 700-liter oak barrel.
4. Used, uncharred new and charred new oak barrels are acceptable for maturing American Single Malts.
5. Flavoring, coloring and blending materials are prohibited.

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