Whisky Advocate: American Single Malts Primed For Growth
December 1, 2023With innovation a key component of drawing in new drinkers, whiskey distillers around the U.S. have been busy developing new styles, including the burgeoning American single malt segment. The core unifying factor is a mashbill of 100% malted barley, the roots of which can be traced to single malt Scotch. But American distillers have taken Scotland’s influence and created something entirely new.
In technical terms, American single malt whiskey must be made entirely at one U.S. distillery, and mashed, distilled, and aged in the U.S. from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley. It also must be stored in oak barrels no larger than 700 liters, and may not contain neutral spirits. Other additives like coloring and flavoring are admissible, and like all other American whiskeys, American single malts must be bottled at no less than 40% abv. Those are the guidelines set forth in 2016 by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission—a trade group that represents over 200 single malt makers—which are still awaiting government codification.
Until recently, American single malt was a place for small craft distillers, but some of whiskey’s biggest players are now entering the arena. Jack Daniel’s went first, releasing its first-ever single malt last fall, a limited edition sherry cask-finished expression. This fall the brand launched a permanent edition, also finished in oloroso sherry casks, which initially rolled out to global duty free with a one-liter bottle selling at $100.
Another recent arrival is James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Clermont Steep from master distiller Freddie Noe, which debuted earlier this year. The 47% abv offering retails at $60. “What I like about this whiskey, and what’s more important than anything, is its ability to change people’s perceptions of what American whiskey is about,” Noe says. “We talk a lot about Bourbon, but I wanted to throw everything out the window and come to this project with a blank slate.”
In Colorado, single malt maker Stranahan’s, part of the Proximo portfolio, is among the elder statesmen of American single malt, founded in 2004. Stranahan’s has long emphasized new white oak as its signature. “Every single barrel that we do starts as virgin American oak, and it’s one of the things that’s uniquely American,” says head blender Justin Aden.
American Single Malt Whiskey Commission president Steve Hawley wants these bottlings to compete on the global stage—and says making production guidelines too strict would hamper that. “What we want to do with this definition is give American single malt some teeth, but leave room open for creativity and innovation within that; to stand there and restrict distillers to one type of oak is counter to that idea,” he says. Whisky Advocate has more on the rising American single malt category.—Julia Higgins
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Whisky Advocate
