Supersedes the 2022 Lost Lantern FAQ’s discussion of a proposed definition.
Current rule added by T.D. TTB-199.
American single malt is made from 100 percent malted barley, mashed, distilled and aged in the United States, distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery at no more than 160 proof, stored only in the United States in used, charred new or uncharred new oak barrels of 700 liters or less, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. The type has no specified 125-proof barrel-entry maximum. Straight American single malt requires at least two years of aging. Caramel coloring requires label disclosure.
Table 1: American Single Malt Whisky; Straight American Single Malt Whisky
Table 1: American Single Malt Whisky; Straight American Single Malt Whisky
Corrected September12,2026: prior125-proof entry limit was an erroneous paraphrase. Rechecked §5.143(c) rows15–16. Not a direct quotation.
Verified paraphrase. This is evidence captured from the source, not a direct quotation.
Evidence
American single malt is made from 100 percent malted barley, mashed, distilled and aged in the United States, distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery at no more than 160 proof, stored only in the United States in used, charred new or uncharred new oak barrels of 700 liters or less, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. The type has no specified 125-proof barrel-entry maximum. Straight American single malt requires at least two years of aging. Caramel coloring requires label disclosure.
Locator
- Type: Section
- Start: Table 1: American Single Malt Whisky; Straight American Single Malt Whisky
- Source section: Table 1: American Single Malt Whisky; Straight American Single Malt Whisky
Context
Current rule added by T.D. TTB-199.
Research annotation
Supersedes the 2022 Lost Lantern FAQ’s discussion of a proposed definition.
Relations
- Source: No access
- Literature Note:
27 CFR § 5.143 — Whisky — literature note
Verification
Corrected September 12, 2026 against §5.143(c), rows 15–16. The earlier 125-proof entry limit was an erroneous paraphrase, not a historical rule. This is not a direct quotation.