There’s a new sheriff in town! American Single Malt Whiskey recently became an official category, elevating Stranahan’s and other American Single Malt brands into their rightful place alongside bourbon and rye whiskey as a benchmark whiskey from the USA.
But what is an American Single Malt? And how did we get here? Let’s discuss some of the finer points of American Single Malt whiskey and what makes it so unique.
What it Means to be an American Single Malt
The official designation of American Single Malt is your guarantee that any whiskey product labeled that way is regulated and adheres to a strict set of rules designed to highlight its quality, consistency, and provenance.
That means that not just any American whiskey can call itself an American Single Malt. Distillers must produce their product in a specific way, in a particular place, using only approved ingredients.
Here are the rules. To be labeled as an American Single Malt, the product in the bottle must be:
- Distilled from 100% malted barley
- Mashed, distilled, and aged in a single distillery
- 100% produced in the USA
- Distilled spirit not to exceed 160 proof
- Aged in oak casks no larger than 700 liters
- Minimum 80 proof at bottling
American Single Malts differ from other American whiskeys in several ways. For example, bourbon requires the mash (the product that the spirit is distilled from) to be a minimum of 51% corn, but other than that, it can contain any other grain or be 100% corn. American Single Malt is a broader category that transcends borders (at least within the country), so it can be made anywhere in the US.
The distinction of Single Malt refers specifically to the fact that it is the product of a single distillery. Other malt whiskeys may blend their product from spirits made elsewhere. The word “single” means it comes from one place.
Style-wise, American Single Malt has its own unique style and flavor profile that define it, and since it’s become recognized, many other distillers are exploring the possibilities. As of 2023, more than 200 American distilleries are making American Single Malt. Stranahan’s is no stranger to the American Single Malt category — in fact, we distilled our very first American Single Malt about 20 years ago.
What’s the Difference Between Scottish and American Single Malt?
American Single Malt resembles single malt scotch more than other American whiskeys.
The single distillery requirement is the same, as is the use of 100% malted barley. However, single malt scotch has some additional rules: it must be distilled from a pot still (a particular type of copper still that only accommodates small batches) and aged for a minimum of three years.
In Scotland, a single malt is typically aged in used casks, which is not a requirement in the US. Newer casks impart more intense flavors and color. With each successive fill, this flavor becomes softer and more muted. The ability to use casks of various ages provides a diverse palate for the master blender to play with, resulting in many unique expressions of the spirit.
Barrel age and length of aging rules don’t apply to American Single Malts. However, though it’s not a given, many American distillers adhere to traditional techniques as part of their business model.
Stranahan’s uses barrels a minimum of 4 years old to age its whiskies, each imparting a distinct layer of flavor to the final blend. This commitment to quality and taste made Stranahan’s the most-awarded American Single Malt.
An American Original, Through and Through
The American Single Malt designation was spearheaded by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, which lobbied to establish the category on behalf of its members. Together with our peers, we strive to uphold the values we fought for, ensuring whiskey lovers everywhere can be confident their purchase is an American original.
We invite you to join Stranahan’s American Single Malt Society, an exclusive group for whiskey enthusiasts granting unparalleled access to all things Stranahan’s and connection with a dedicated community that shares a passion for the good things in life.
Stock your bar with the most awarded American Single Malt whiskey† and discover what this exciting category has to offer.
