American Single Malt Whiskey (ASMW)

What is American Single Malt and how is it different from Single Malt Scotch?

The simple answer is where it is made is different, but there is so much more.

To get into the details, let’s start with the similarities of both:

• Matured only in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 liters

• The only cereal grain is malted barley

• Distilled at one distillery

• Bottled at 80 proof /40% abv or higher

Some notable difference are:

• ASMW must be mashed, distilled and matured in the United States. While Scotch must do the same, but in Scotland.

• Scotch calls out a requirement for using pot stills, ASMW does not.

• Single Malt Scotch must be aged three years, ASMW doesn’t have and age requirement.

• Scotch calls out an exception to allow caramel coloring, ASMW makes no distinction.

• ASMC limits distillation to no more than 80% abv while the Scotch limit is 94.8% abv.

The American Single Malt Whiskey category is currently based on industry driven standards. The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission is working to establish ASMW as an official category. While the Single Malt Scotch requirements are of legal definition.

An easy way to remember what ASMW is:

• AMERICAN = made in America

• SINGLE = distilled at a single distillery

• MALT = 100% malted barley

• WHISKEY = bottled 80 proof or higher

Learn more at americansinglemaltwhiskey.org and legislation.gov.uk