US Whiskey Regulations, Terms, & Distillery info Flashcards
According to the Bryson book, what are the three most important categories of American Whiskey?
Bourbon
Tennessee Whiskey
Rye
lesser known types include
Corn Whiskey
Wheat Whiskey
Blended Whiskey
Spirit Whiskey
What are the US regulations that govern whiskey (really all spirits) called?
The Standards of Identity… and officially in the Standards of Identity - American Whiskey is called Whisky.
Specifically, where do the Standards of Identity for Whiskey reside?
US Code of Federal Regulations
Title 27 (Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms)
Part 5 (Labelling and Advertising of Distilled Spirits)
Subpart C (Standards and Identity for Distilled Spirits
Paragraph 22
What is the US government agency that is responsible for approving and enforcing labeling and other liquor laws?
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (ATTTB or TTB)
What are the three parts of the Standards of Identity for Whiskey in US?
1st - Identifies Whiskey
2nd - deliniates two classes of whiskey
-Corn
-Bourbon, Rye, Wheat, Malt, Rye Malt
and now American Single Malt
(ASM won’t be included on exam)
3rd - makes further definition of “straight”
whiskey
What is the definition of Whiskey according to the US Standards of identity?
-Whiskey is a distillate made from a “fermented mash of grain.”
-The final liquid must be less than 190 proof (95% ABV)
-“in such manner that the distillate possesses the taste, aroma, and character generally attributed to whiskey.”
-stored in oak containers
-bottled at no less than 80 proof
What are the proof requirements for Whiskey in US?
-The final distillation must be under 160 proof (80% ABV)
-If the whiskey is aged in oak, it must go into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (what distillers call “entry proof”)
What is the legal definition of Bourbon?
-Must be made with at least 51% Corn
-Made in the US
-aged in charred, new oak containers
-distilled to less than 160 proof
-entry proof of no higher than 125
-bottled at no less than 80 proof
What are the specifications for Corn Whiskey in the US?
-specifies that IF the whiskey is aged - for which there is no requirement - it must be aged in used or uncharred new oak
-Corn whiskey should taste like Corn, not oak
What is the definition for “Straight” Whiskey in the US?
-Must be aged in oak container for at least 2 years
-if the youngest whiskey in the barrel is under 4 years old - the label must state how old it is AND all the whiskey in the barrel must be at least that old
-the addition of “harmless coloring” is NOT allowed
What are some things that the US Standards of Identity DON’T require?
Bourbon does NOT have to be:
-made in Kentucky
-made from corn and only two other grains
-Aged in white oak barrels
-Aged in American oak barrels
What are the requirements of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897
All the whiskey in the bottle must be:
-at least 4 years old
-bottled at exactly 100 proof
-have no additives other than pure water
-be labeled as the product of the distillery where it was made, and if different, the distillery where it was bottled
-be the product of only one distillery, made by the same distiller, in one distilling season
*originally also had to be aged in a bonded warehouse
Does the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 only refer to Bourbon?
No. Bottled in Bond can refer to:
-Rye (ex. Rittenhouse Rye)
-Brandy (ex. Laird’s Apple Jack)
Why are all American Whiskey barrels 53 Gallons?
-Barrels used to be 48 Gallons
-During World War II a study was done to see how much bigger barrels could be without having to change the ricks
-the size was 53 Gallons
What are the two mash bills at Four Roses?
High Rye = 60% C / 35% R / 5% MB
Low Rye = 75% C / 20% R / 5% MB
*it is important to realize that even Four Roses “low rye” mashbill is relatively high in rye compared to other distilleries
What is the mash bill for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey?
80% C / 8% R / 12% MB
What is the mash bill for Wild Turkey Bourbon?
75% C / 13% R / 12% MB
What is the mash bill for Maker’s Mark Bourbon? (wheated bourbon)
70% C / 16% W / 14% MB
What is the mash bill for Woodford Reserve Bourbon?
72% C / 18% R / 10% MB
What is the mash bill for Old Forester Bourbon?
72% C / 18% R / 10% MB
What is the mash bill for George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey?
84% C / 8% R / 8% MB
What is the mash bill for the Bourbons made at Jim Beam distillery (Beam, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s, Booker’s…)
75% C / 13%R / 12% MB
What is the mash bill at Heaven Hill distillery (Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, etc)?
78% C / 10% R / 12% MB
What is the mash bill at Garrison Brothers?
74% C / 15% W / 11% MB
