Here’s What Makes a Whiskey an American Single Malt

December 18th might feel like any other ordinary winter Wednesday, but for makers of American single malt whiskey it marks a monumental occasion more than eight years in the making. On that morning, the Federal Register will publish its final ruling recognizing the emerging style of domestic single malt whiskey as an official category, which will then be protected by U.S. labeling laws under the authority of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The final rule will take effect next month on January 19, 2025.

Up until now, “American single malt” could effectively mean just about anything. But moving forward, like bourbon and rye, it will have to adhere to certain production requirements. Key amongst them is that it must be distilled from 100% malted barley produced in the United States. It must be distilled at a single American distillery, aged for a minimum of two years in used, charred-new, or uncharred-new oak barrels up to 700 liters in size. It also cannot contain any neutral spirits or fillers aside from caramel coloring that’s explicitly disclosed on the label.

The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission first laid out every one of these stipulations in 2016. The organization was founded by some of the most notable early adopters of the liquid, including Westland, Virginia Distillery, and Westward. Though their parameters were fairly straightforward (and largely congruent with what single malt means in other parts of the world), the commission had a hard time convincing the TTB to take action. 

The agency kept mum on the matter even as the undefined category evolved into one of the fastest-growing styles of stateside whiskey over the last five years. However, a grassroots lobbying effort earlier this spring finally caught their attention. The ASMWC, in close concert with the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, spearheaded it — and together, they generated more than 1,000 letters from producers, purveyors, and fans imploring immediate action from the federal government. Better late than never, they reasoned. 

“This is a landmark ruling from the TTB,” Steve Hawley, ASMWC president, said in a press release. “It’s a momentous day for American single malt whiskey, and this is just the beginning of a bright future for the category.”

It will assuredly encourage more makers to enter the arena almost overnight. “[Single malt production] demands exceptional time, investment, and expertise,” says Westward CEO Thomas Mooney. “This new standard of identity will protect the integrity of the category and empower consumers to explore the exciting future of American whiskey.”

Indeed, many producers of the liquid strongly believe they can connect with consumers on a global stage. But before that could happen, they needed to agree on what American single malt actually is. With that roadblock cleared, look for the liquid to soar to unseen heights in the months and years ahead.

“This is a validation of American efforts to conceptualize and create a world-class single malt to stand alongside our stalwart Scottish, Japanese, and Irish peers,” according to Julie Macklowe, founder of The Macklowe. “This opens to door for American whiskey drinkers to have imprimatur in every dram. For me personally, as a creator, it’s a stamp of approval and halo of acceptance for all the hard work undertaken to date.” 

For Adam Polonski, co-founder of Lost Lantern — an independent bottler of American whiskey based in Vergennes, Vermont — the new designation is both a call to action and a cause for celebration. “We look forward to continuing to help whiskey lovers discover the finest examples of American single malt from all across the country,” he says. “But for now we encourage all whiskey lovers to pick up a bottle of American single malt and to raise a glass with us to welcome this style of whiskey to the American whiskey pantheon.”