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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Indie bottler Single Cask Nation releases plenty of single malt Scotch expression, but as we’ve tasted over the years, they aren’t focused exclusively on the category. This summer, they launched three unique American whiskies, all of which are still available for purchase via their website as of this writing. We tasted ’em all. Thoughts follow.…
A distinctive aspect of Colorado based Spirit Hound Distillery’s Single Malt Whisky is that they don’t blend their whisky barrels to create a house profile. Instead, all of their whiskies are drawn from single barrels. This means great variation can be found among bottles drawn from different barrels and two people trying the brand might…
Another Kentucky Bourbon Festival is in the books, and if the bourbon industry has gone bust, you wouldn’t be able to tell it from the throngs at the sold-out three-day takeover of Bardstown, Kentucky, ground zero for America’s spirit. The lines to get in, as usual, wrapped around the block. The lines to buy prized,…
Bluebird Distilling, founded by Jared Adkins in the town of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania—just northwest of Philadelphia—continues the state’s deep-rooted whiskey-making tradition. Committed to quality and authenticity, Bluebird distills its spirits using 100% American-grown grain. The distillation process begins with milling the grain to a flour, which is then steeped in water heated to 150°F for 90…
Iowa’s Cedar Ridge is perhaps best known for their regionally popular (and often very good!) bourbon, which can outsell some of the nation’s biggest brands in its home market. But never content with just corn, Master Distiller Murphy Quint has also been churning out a series of single malts, including a limited-edition lineup dubbed “The…
For many whiskey enthusiasts, “Indiana whiskey” has long been synonymous with MGP in Lawrenceburg—a powerhouse known for its scale and consistent quality. But just 150 miles southeast in Borden, another name has steadily built its own legacy: Starlight Distillery. Founded in 2001, Starlight initially made its mark with brandy, releasing its first commercial expression in…
Westward‘s first club release of 2025 (exclusive to subscription members) is this collaboration bottling, produced in cooperation with Oregon’s Fort George Brewery. Westward is no stranger to brewery collabs, and Fort George has long been a partner — though it’s never had its name on the label until now. Westward x Fort George Brewery Stout…
First things first: This whiskey looks pretty wild. It comes in a metal tube made to look like a shotgun barrel. Unscrew and remove the top of the barrel, and you reveal the bottle of whiskey inside, which looks like a giant shotgun shell. It really is something to behold. The whiskey is a collaboration…
If you’re out exploring or skiing in the Eastern Sierras and need a spot to quench your thirst, Shelter Distilling will have you covered. This craft distillery located in The Village at Mammoth in the shadow of Mammoth Mountain has been cranking out everything from agave-based spirits to beer and canned cocktails for years with…
When it comes to bourbon, Kentucky reigns supreme. The Bluegrass State is the undisputed gold standard for quality bourbon—fittingly, also home to the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. But while Kentucky holds firm to its bourbon legacy, other states are staking claims in different corners of the American whiskey landscape. Indiana and Maryland…