American Single Malt: A Blueprint for Protecting American Brandy and Rum

The Journey to Recognition

The push for American Single Malt’s recognition began in March 2016, when nine pioneering distilleries—including Westland Distillery, Virginia Distillery Co., and Stranahan’s—came together to form the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC). Led by figures like Steve Hawley, president of the ASMWC, these distillers sought to define and protect this emerging category. In October 2017, the ASMWC, alongside partners like Westland Distillery, XO Alambic, and Rémy Cointreau, submitted petitions to the TTB, advocating for a formal standard of identity. By 2022, the ASMWC had grown to nearly 100 members, reflecting the category’s rising prominence.

The TTB’s response came in July 2022, when it proposed a definition for American Single Malt, followed by a 60-day public comment period. After years of debate and refinement, the final ruling in December 2024 established strict production standards, requiring American Single Malt to be:

• Made from 100% malted barley

• Distilled at a single U.S. distillery

• Mashed, distilled, and aged in the United States

• Aged in oak barrels (new or used, charred or uncharred) with a maximum capacity of 700 liters

• Distilled to no more than 160 proof and bottled at no less than 80 proof

This journey, spanning almost nine years from the ASMWC’s formation to TTB recognition, underscores the persistence and collaboration needed to achieve federal recognition for a new spirits category. It also highlights the importance of industry unity, as the ASMWC worked closely with organizations like the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) to advocate for clear, consumer-friendly standards.

A Model for American Brandy and Rum

The success of the American Single Malt campaign serves as a compelling blueprint for AMBRU.org’s mission to protect and promote American Brandy and Rum as designated products of the United States. Currently, the TTB’s regulations for rum and brandy lack the detailed subcategories and protections afforded to whiskey types like bourbon or rye. For example, rum is broadly defined as a spirit distilled from sugarcane by-products, with only cachaça recognized as a specific type (since 2013). Brandy, similarly, has limited subtype definitions, such as Cognac for French grape brandy, but no equivalent for American-made brandy.

The ASMWC’s approach offers valuable lessons for AMBRU.org:

• Unified Advocacy: The ASMWC’s formation of a coalition of distilleries, supported by DISCUS and the American Craft Spirits Association, demonstrates the power of collective action. AMBRU.org can rally brandy and rum producers to form a similar commission, advocating for clear standards of identity.

• Consumer Education: The ASMWC’s focus on educating consumers about American Single Malt’s unique flavor profiles and regional diversity helped build demand. AMBRU.org can similarly highlight the distinct characteristics of American Brandy (e.g., fruit-based spirits from regions like California) and Rum (e.g., molasses-based spirits with coastal influences) to drive consumer interest.

• Global Protection: By securing TTB recognition, American Single Malt gained credibility in international markets. AMBRU.org can push for standards that protect American Brandy and Rum abroad, ensuring they are recognized as premium, distinctly American products, much like bourbon.

The lack of specific standards for American Brandy and Rum leaves these categories vulnerable to misleading labeling and inconsistent quality, as noted in the rum community’s 2019 call for TTB reform. By following the ASMWC’s model, AMBRU.org can work to establish standards that ensure quality, transparency, and innovation, while protecting producers and consumers alike.