American Single Malt Whiskey might just kick Scotch off of its high horse. I know, you’re all like but Scotch is Scotch so it’s different and we can like both and why am I getting so emotional and it’s ok, Kyle. It’s ok. You can like both.
If you’re a wee twat.
You need to fall in love with American Single Malt Whiskey
First of all, it’s more than a whiskey. It’s a movement. The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission was established in 2016 to set the guidelines for what kind of juice can be called an American Single Malt Whiskey. The Scotch Whisky Association does the same thing for their spirits over in the U.K. Hell, every spirit has an authority who determines what’s authentic. There’s the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers Association, the Bourbon Society in Louisville, the Irish Whiskey Society, the American Craft Spirits Association, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry, the Craft Distiller’s Alliance, and more.
The ASMWC has ALL-CAPPED these specifics for an American Single Malt Whiskey:
- MADE FROM 100% MALTED BARLEY
- DISTILLED ENTIRELY AT ONE DISTILLERY
- MASHED, DISTILLED AND MATURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- MATURED IN OAK CASKS OF A CAPACITY NOT EXCEEDING 700 LITERS
- DISTILLED TO NO MORE THAN 160 (U.S.) PROOF (80% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME)
- BOTTLED AT 80 (U.S.) PROOF OR MORE (40% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME)
And if you’re looking for some classic Scotch drinks reimagined with American Single Malt, check out this article at Advanced Mixology.
And distillers are making their American Single Malt Whiskey to these specs
Lost Lantern are two whiskey nerds nerding out on whiskey and damn
Their American Single Malt Whiskey kind of leaves me speechless. Lost Lantern—Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski—seek out barrels of fine whiskey then turn them into bottles of fine whiskey. They hunt down little-known whiskies lurking in the shadows of rick houses all over America then bring them together in a single bottle and sell these limited editions. Their American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 is a blend of six single malts: Balcones, Cooperworks, Santa Fe Spirits, Triple Eight Distillery, Westward Whiskey, and Virginia Distillery Company. I want to work for Lost Lantern because to make this whiskey, they took a road trip to the six states represented and tested the whiskey on-premises, and look, I’m not gonna lie here: I want to marry them.
Modiset & Sons Developed from a Father & Son Golf Trip to Scotland
Copper Fox produces several single malts, including their Apple Brandy Barrel Finish Single Malt which kind of makes me feel all warm inside.
Few Spirits is a distillery that’s close to our hearts—and our driveways. Few is a Chicago distillery (well, Evanston, but, you know, details). Swing by their gorgeous distillery and try their Single Malt made with cherry wood smoked malt. They only make 500-600 bottles a year. So, hurry.
Pilot House Distillery in Oregon makes a Single Malt with one of the coolest labels I’ve ever seen and yeah, don’t judge a book by its cover but still . . .
Andalusia Whiskey out of Austin tosses their hat into the ring with a Single Malt triple distilled single malt that punches out of its weight class.
Boston Harbor makes a single malt and you better hurry because it sells out every time it drops.
Breuckelen’s Brownstone single malt is all New York grain to glass goodness.
Corsair Distillery’s Triple Smoke Single Malt Whiskey uses cherry wood, beech, and peat smoke for a flavor profile like a right hook.
We dinnae actually waant Scootlund tae die.
We loue cratur cratur. We dram cratur cratur. We juist think American whiskey is better. We think it haes a dug in th’ rammy. Ah mean, we’ve written aboot cratur afore. Thir’s na hate in oor gam ‘ere. A’ we’re saying is traditional cratur cratur micht wantae pat oan tis muckle lassie breeks fur american single malt whiskey is aboot tae donder intae th’ room.
