American Single Malt Whiskey
American single malt does not officially exist (yet) as a legally defined category of whiskey in the United States, but producers generally adhere to the same regulations observed in Scotland. It is produced at a single, U.S. distillery from 100% malted barley, distilled to 160 proof, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. American single malt is often aged in used cooperage, like its counterparts overseas. On the other hand, “American straight malt” – which is a legally defined category – must be aged in new oak containers for a minimum of 2 years, echoing the rules for other categories of American whiskey. Today, American producers continue to experiment with barrel regimens for this emerging category.
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Out of Iowa’s Cedar Ridge comes another edition of “Pete & Sherri Married,” a single malt blend meant to capture the best of the distillery’s peated and sherried liquid streams. The series initially launched in 2019 and returned later with a 1st Anniversary bottling. This latest 2026 version is titled “2nd Anniversary,” a 114.4 proof…
Nancy Fraley first conceived Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend in March 2016, with the first public release arriving later that year. In the years since, a wave of American whiskey producers have introduced their own interpretations of the cigar blend concept, many bearing a striking resemblance to Fraley’s original vision. The category has filled out with…
The American craft distilling movement has surged over the past decade, with standout producers like Virginia Distillery Company helping define its character. Since 2015, the distillery has focused on producing quality American single malt whisky, contributing to a rapidly expanding marketplace of craft spirits. Alongside many other independent makers, it has broadened the range of…
Last fall, North Carolina’s Southern Distilling Company jumped into the increasingly crowded world of American single malt in a pretty big way. With a portfolio dominated by house-distilled bourbons, single malt was something of a surprising addition for one of the state’s largest distillers and contract producers. And they appear to be going all in…
A couple of years ago, Stranahan’s opened a tasting room and restaurant in nearby Aspen, and your prize for trekking out here is access to its “Aspen Exclusive” releases, one-off releases that come out roughly annually and which are only available here. The first Aspen Exclusive was a Calvados-finished single malt; this second release, which…
Ready for a pair of more limited Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey reviews? Allow me to explain… We missed Diamond Peak 2024 but we’re back to it with 2025, which is a doozy, paying homage to Stranahan’s brewing heritage. For this release, Stranahan’s partnered with four local breweries, giving them each ex-Stranahan’s casks that were first seasoned…
On January 19, 2024, American single malt whiskey received formal recognition from the Federal Tobacco, Tax, and Trade Bureau. Seattle’s Copperworks Distilling played a central role in the push for an official standard of identity. Although the designation itself is still new, Copperworks has spent more than a decade producing unique, high-quality American single malt.…
The relationship between distilled spirits and the Christian Church is far older — and far more intertwined — than many modern observers realize. Today, some regard distilled spirits as standing in moral opposition to Christian teaching, yet history tells a different story. For centuries, monasteries were the crucibles in which the art of distillation was…
For most whiskey fans, December marks the end of release season. For devotees of Colorado-based Stranahan’s (self-proclaimed “Strana-fans”), it’s time for Snowflake, the distillery’s most anticipated and acclaimed whiskey. Bottles go on sale following a week of branded festivities, with nearly all going to those who camped out to reserve spots in line. Whiskey, it…
On December 18, 2024, American single malt whiskey finally earned its long-awaited official status, receiving formal recognition from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) as a distinct category of American whiskey. For most producers, the newly established standards of identity were already familiar—many had been adhering to them voluntarily for years—so the…