What is American Single Malt Whiskey?
Long celebrated by craft distillers and enthusiasts alike, American single malt whiskey has now secured some well-earned legitimacy and protection: on January 19, 2025, American Single Malt Whiskey officially became a recognized whiskey category by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Further reading
This recognition is not just a win for producers—it’s a game-changer for the U.S. whiskey market as a whole, offering new opportunities for innovation, growth, and international competitiveness. Here's what you need to know about this (relative) newcomer.
What Defines American Single Malt Whiskey?
With its official recognition comes a set of clear guidelines designed to preserve the integrity of the style:
This combination of requirements creates a whiskey that is uniquely American while drawing inspiration from its Scottish roots.
Who invented American Single Malt Whiskey?
The story of American Single Malt Whiskey is a truly, well, American one, with roots in tradition but an innovative spirit. In 1996, Steve McCarthy, the “godfather” of American Single Malt, crafted his McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt, inspired by Scotch Lagavulin 16 but distilled from ingredients from his native state (including locally-brewed smoky beer and barrels made from garryana oak).
“He didn’t understand he was launching a category,” Joe O’Sullivan, Master Distiller at Clear Creek, recalled years later. “He wasn’t trying to disrupt the category. He just had a passion about it.”
What began as a niche labor of love quickly grew—and found market share. But even as “American Single Malt” found its way to more and more labels, the term lacked a formal, consistent definition, which left both producers and consumers in a gray area of uncertainty around quality and consistency.
How did American Single Malt Whiskey get official recognition?
The push for recognition was led by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC), which has championed this category since its formation in 2016. In 2017, the ASMWC began a concerted effort to petition the TTB, garnering support from producers like Westland Distillery and drinks multinational Rémy Cointreau alike. Despite the growing influx of support, it wasn't until July 2022 when the TTB finally published a proposed definition for American Single Malt Whiskey (which is nearly identical to the final version).
Why American Single Malt Whiskey Is a Game-Changer
The official recognition of American Single Malt Whiskey is more than a routine regulatory rubber-stamping: for many U.S. producers, it’s a point of pride. “If we want to be taken seriously along with single malt producers from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, etc., we need to have a well-defined and official place in the American marketplace,” said Mark McLaughlin, co-founder of Old Line Spirits. “An official category designation gives the ASM category an added element of legitimacy.”
Still, while many celebrate the new designation, not everyone is in full agreement with the TTB’s guidelines. Some distillers have voiced concerns over the requirement for 100% malted barley, arguing that the potential to experiment with other grains would be valuable for innovation. Others hoped for stricter rules, similar to those governing Scotch whisky, to further elevate the category’s prestige: for example, the requirement that the whiskey be mashed, distilled, and aged at the same distillery. Still others objected to the cask requirements, arguing that non-American oak barrels should not be allowed, as the resulting product would not be sufficiently "American."
Despite these debates, the industry’s overall excitement is undeniable. The category’s flexibility—especially in aging and barrel choices—ensures that American single malt will continue to thrive as a hub of innovation.
What does American Single Malt Whiskey mean for the whiskey market?
The official designation is more than just a technicality—it brings legitimacy to the category and provides a framework for quality standards. It also protects producers from mislabeling and creates a unified identity that helps American single malt compete internationally.
The market has already responded. While craft producers like Westland Distillery and Stranahan’s were the pioneers in this space, larger players, including Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam, have also joined the movement, lending credibility and momentum to the growing category.
For collectors and investors, this recognition signals the potential for real growth. As demand for premium spirits rises globally, American single malt whiskey is poised to capture a larger share of the spotlight, but with the protection and scarcity that comes with a tightly-regulated designation. At the same time, since the definition does not mandate that mashing, distillation, and aging occur at the same distillery, there's a significant opportunity for American Single Malt Whiskey to leverage the contract distilling space, an exciting niche for cask investors.
Why American Single Malt Whiskey Is Worth Investors Attention
With its new federal recognition, American single malt whiskey is positioned for a bright future. Its combination of tradition and creativity makes it a compelling choice for enthusiasts, investors, and collectors alike. Whether you’re seeking to explore its rich, diverse flavors or invest in its promising trajectory, now just might be the time to experience this uniquely (and officially) All-American spirit.