Question About Bitters Laws

[acdanger]

Howdy,

I'm interested in making small-batch bitters either as a hobby and maybe as a business down the road.

As I understand it, bitters are nationally classified as a food product and not regulated or taxed as spirits are. And so I'm wondering: would be it be possible to purchase wholesale amounts of a neutral spirit from a distillery if it was intended for bitters production?

Anyone know of anyone doing anything similar in the country? Would that even be legally possible or make financial sense? I'm really not prepared to start my own distillery with all the associated taxes and bureaucracy just for the production of bitters.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently based in the Virginia-DC area if that helps.

[Ultra Pure 190 proof GNS]

Howdy,

I'm interested in making small-batch bitters either as a hobby and maybe as a business down the road.

As I understand it, bitters are nationally classified as a food product and not regulated or taxed as spirits are. And so I'm wondering: would be it be possible to purchase wholesale amounts of a neutral spirit from a distillery if it was intended for bitters production?

Anyone know of anyone doing anything similar in the country? Would that even be legally possible or make financial sense? I'm really not prepared to start my own distillery with all the associated taxes and bureaucracy just for the production of bitters.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently based in the Virginia-DC area if that helps.

Hello from Ultra Pure:

We sell 190 proof NGS to beverage and food companies. You would have to buy the product, pay the tax and then apply for a partial rebate on the tax every calender quarter. Please feel free to cal if you would like.

Chip Weismiller

Ultra Pure, LLC

877-778-6872.

[JohnD]

Just saw Jonathan's response in General discussion and removed my response.

He clearly knows more about this than I.