Since the recent announcement from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which came to light in December 2024, American single malt whiskey has been the hot topic on everyone's lips.
After years of lobbying by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, its definition has been ratified with the new rule taking effect from January 19, 2025.
The definition specifies that in order to be labelled an American single malt the liquid must adhere to the following production standards:
- Made from 100 per cent malted barley
- Distilled entirely at one distillery
- Mashed, distilled and matured in the United States of America
- Matured in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 liters
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV)
- Bottled at 80 proof or more (40% ABV)
If this is your first foray into the world of American single malt then you should be very excited as there is a plethora of impeccably created liquid that is already out there just waiting for you to try it. Don't worry if that sounds a little overwhelming right now though, we've got you covered with our office picks below.
Our top three American single malt whiskeys to pique your interest in the category
Copperworks Distilling, Maltsmith
The Maltsmith expression is Copperworks Distillery's flagship American single malt whiskey expression, distilled from a brewer-style recipe that combines pale malt and caramelized malts and matured in charred new American oak casks.
Westland Distillery, Garryana Edition 7
As part of Westland's Outpost Range, the Garryana American Single Malt explores a native species of oak used for barrel aging. In Edition 7 the Garryana Oak interacts with the Washington wine cask to bring forth blackcurrant and charred cedar on the palate.
This American single malt celebrate's Oregon's rich brewing culture and the longstanding cask-trading tradition with Westward's brewing collaborators. It starts out with Westward Whiskey Original and is aged for one year in Stout Casks.