Find the Words on Your Bottle
Start with the full designation: bourbon whiskey, blended bourbon whiskey, and a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys lead to different rules. The legal entries below summarize federal standards; separate headings identify recipe styles, finishes, Tennessee’s regional designation and related products.
These are Academy explanations of official rules, not a government-issued classification directory. Reviewed October 3, 2026 against eCFR text available through October 1, 2026, and the linked state-law sources. 27 CFR § 5.143: whiskey standards and tables
Every whiskey under § 5.143 must be bottled at 80 proof / 40% ABV or higher. Flavored spirits are a separate class with a 60-proof minimum. American single malt now has its own standard, including a straight designation and the transition in § 5.143(d). Flavored spirits: § 5.151
For a guided explanation of age, strength, additives, blending and origin, open Whiskey Types, Labels & the Law.
Legal Classifications
Styles and Production Features
Regional Designation
Tennessee WhiskeyRelated Classifications
©2026, US Whiskey Academy LLC. All Rights Reserved | 
