The Dawn Of American Single Malt Whiskey: One Nation's Attempt to Dethrone Scotch

It’s no secret that bourbon and rye have been in the midst of a renaissance since the early 2000s. Not satisfied with redefining truly American styles of whiskey, modern distillers have turned their attention to the one dram to rule them all: single malt scotch whisky.

Naturally, across the pond, we are making American single malt whiskey. It’s time you got to know this ambitious dram.

What is American Single Malt Whiskey?

The idea of an “American single malt” traces its origins back to the 1980s and 1990s. At the base of those roots lies St. Georges Spirits, founded in 1982 by Jörg Rupf. Based in Alameda, California, the distillery began producing single malt whiskey using 100% malted barley and distilling in copper pot stills. 

Much like bourbon, this early example of American single malt was aged in new, charred oak barrels and bottled as “St. George Single Malt Whiskey.” Soon afterward, other small producers began to try their hand at producing 100% barley-based whiskey. Of course, this included experimentation (the American way!) with processes like distillation and wood aging.

Another road-paver in American single malt was Anchor Distilling Company (part of a portfolio that includes Anchor Brewing Company). They opted to create a mash bill that boasted both Californian and Scottish barley. As a nod to Scotch single malt, the distillate was aged in used oak barrels. 

The tides of American single malt continued to gain mass and momentum. By the mid-2000s, pioneers like Stranahan’s of Denver, Colorado, and Clear Creek in Portland, Oregon were producing proprietary, flagship single malt whiskies. 

In the past decade, we have been gifted more free-thinking single malt producers like Westward, Westland Distillery, Balcones Distilling, Virginia Distilling Company, Whiskey Del Bac, and other unique distillers. 

American single malt is the new whisky frontier. Producers are drawing inspiration from Islay, the Highlands, and other parts of Scotland. However, they are exploring single malt whiskey like the pioneers who settled in the wild west, combining what they possessed with what they can source off of the land. 

(Only, this time with much less land theft, murder, and colonization taking place!)

Identifying American Single Malt Whiskey

American single malt is the reward of unbridled passion and a lack of rules or guidebooks. Many of these highly sought-after American whiskeys exist because they were able to thrive in the wilderness without boundaries. 

Distilleries are trying out new methods. Some are using malts normally used in craft beer production. Others are finishing in casks that once held wine, port, sherry, and other fine libations. American single malt producers often use local woods like cherry and mesquite to smoke their whiskey—they’re painting classic forms with a new palette!

The undiscovered country of American single malt is a double-edged sword. It means we gain access to a wider variety of exciting whiskies. Unfortunately, it also means we’re not sure what we’re getting when we see the words “American Single Malt Whiskey” on the label.

With an increasing number of distillers now producing single malt whiskey in America, we’re overdue for some standardization. When deciding on rules and regulations that govern what goes on a label, we need to be careful not to stifle creativity and newly-found traditions. 

The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) has led the lobbying effort to clearly identify American single malt. Their membership boasts around 100 member producers. Years of working with the public and politicians have led the US government’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to propose a definition for what can be labeled as “American Single Malt Whiskey.”

The proposed definition includes the following stipulations:

• Must be distilled entirely at one U.S. distillery
• Mashed, distilled, and aged in the U.S.
• Sourced from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley
• Distilled at a proof of 160° or less
• Stored in oak barrels no larger than 700 liters

This proposed definition falls in line with the ASMWC and still allows American producers greater flexibility than their Scottish counterparts. Flavorings, additives, colorings, and other blending materials would be permitted.

More importantly, processes like drying/ smoking the grain and wood-aging are only limited by a producer's imagination. 

American Single Malt vs Single Malt Scotch

The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 lay out the regulations for the labeling, advertising, and packaging of Scotch whisky. In the “land o’ the free”, producers have many more options at their disposal. 

As we’ve hinted at previously, this means American single malts are just built differently than their Scottish counterparts. Here is an overview of how the two whisk(e)ys compare. 

In addition, both American and Scottish single malt must be from a single distillery. (Hence the whole “single” part of the name). 

Regulations aside, whiskey and whisky lovers will observe additional differences. With American single malt, qualities will differ from one distillery to the next. However, with Scotch, knowing the main regions like Speyside, Highlands, Islay, and others gives consumers a good idea of what they’re buying. 

Additionally, with no official legislation in the books, American producers are still free to venture into unchartered territory. Well, that is at least until TTB legislation finally passes. 

Overall, Scotch single malt will typically be aged longer, have some amount of peat, and offer drinkers superior complexity. The scope of American single malt will vary much wider but will likely be younger, unsmoked or lightly-smoked, and bigger on the baking spices.

A Few of the Best American Single Malts

The dawn of Amerian Single Malt Whiskey is in full effect. It will be high noon before long and you don’t want to take a seat at the table empty-handed. Here are a few of our favorites to help you start your American single malt journey off with a bang.

St. George Single Malt Whiskey

This single malt iteration from St. Georges debuted in 2000 and represents decades of progress and experimentation. The producers decided to roast the hell out of some barley (like that used in brewing beer) and “changed the whiskey game forever.” Bottled at 86 proof, this whiskey is a must-try for any single malt lover! 

Whiskey Del Bac Distiller’s Cut

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the Sonoran desert, Whiskey Del Bac has flipped single malt whiskey onto its head. Every bottle of Distillers Cut Cask Strength takes you on a loving journey to the American Southwest. The  “mesquited-not-peated” whisky is aged in New American White Oak and finished in Pineau des Charentes casks (grape-based aperitif). 

The mesquite and fruit notes will make you feel like you are sitting around a desert campfire—queue the Ennio Morricone musical score!  Bottled at 58.15% ABV to remind you how the West was won.

Westland Cask Exchange Redhook Brewlab

Based out of Seattle, Washington, Westland has melted away the boundaries between whisky and craft beer. The Cask Exchange series allows them to finish their top-tier single malt whiskey in unique wooden barrels. This time, the whiskey was spent time in ex-bourbon barrels that once held a barleywine featuring strata hops.

The combination of a powerful beer with a refined American single malt whiskey dazzles the palate. This rare offering is truly one of any collection and comes bottled at 100 proof. 

The Story Isn’t Finished

The story of American single malt is still being written. Instead of witnessing history, it’s time you became an informed and active participant. 

American single malt whiskey can hold its own against single malt Scotch any day of the week. It doesn’t have to be a competition, it’s a damn good excuse to double the size of your collection!