DISCUS and ASMWC Campaign Generates More than 1,000 letters to TTB Urging Final Rule on a Formal American Single Malt Whiskey Category

[Erik Owens]

For Immediate Release:                                                                           Contact: Lisa Hawkins 

August 29, 2024                                                                                               202-256-1330

 

 WASHINGTON – A grassroots effort spearheaded by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) generated more than 1,000 letters to Treasury Department Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Administrator Mary Ryan urging immediate action to finalize the official standard for the American Single Malt Whiskey category.

The month-long campaign, powered by DISCUS’ Spirits United, generated letters from across the country sent in by distillers, consumers and supporters of the spirits sector.

 

The letters highlighted that it has been two years since the bureau issued its notice of proposed rulemaking and urged TTB officials “to follow through with developing an official standard for the American Single Malt Whiskey category, which stands as one of the fastest growing categories of American Whiskey over the past decade.”

 

“It’s time for TTB to finish the job they started over two years ago when they formally proposed a definition for American Single Malt Whiskey,” said ASMWC President Steve Hawley. “When we first petitioned for the standard back in 2016, TTB made it clear that we needed to demonstrate widespread industry support in order to act on the request. This latest campaign is yet another example of the passionate call for action that the industry has been voicing now for years." 

 

“The response to this call to action has been incredible,” said DISCUS President & CEO Chris Swonger. “It’s clear that having an official standard for American Single Malt is an issue that is important to distillers, large and small.  Together with our partners at the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission we have sent a very loud and direct message to TTB to make this a priority.”

 

The campaign kicked-off July 29 following a joint letter that was sent by DISCUS and the ASMWC to TTB on the issue.

 

The letter stated, “In the two years since the bureau issued its notice, the need for a formal standard has grown ever-more urgent. From the largest multinational spirits companies to smallest regional craft distilleries, a significant amount of investment has been poured into American Single Malt Whiskey. This highlights the desirability of the category but also brings into stark focus the risks posed by the lack of a standard.”

 

DISCUS and ASMWC also submitted an official joint comment to TTB in September 2022 in support of establishing a standard of identity for American Single Malt Whiskey as part of the bureau’s 2022 notice of proposed rulemaking process.

 

DISCUS and ASMWC are aligned that the American Single Malt Whiskey standard should: (1) be distilled from 100% malted barley; (2) allow for the ability for producers to create brands that are distilled from grains other than barley, provided that those grains are clearly denoted on the label (e.g., American Single Malt Rye Whiskey); (3) incorporate a 700-liter oak barrel limit; (4) allow the use of used, uncharred new and charred new oak barrels; and (5) prohibit the use of harmless flavoring, coloring and blending materials.