American Single Malt: A Modern History

Recently, I've been giving this presentation to whiskey groups around Colorado. I think it's important that consumers and spirits industry members understand the path that this category has taken to get to this modern era of American single malt whiskey. While this fast-rising category is becoming the darling of American whiskey, it's been years in the making with some key players along the way.

McCarthy's was established in 1985.

St George was the second single malt released in the US.

With early distiller-producers starting their careers in the fruit brandy or eau de vie landscape, they eventually led to making whiskey. The 1980s was not a friendly time to American whiskey, and the craft distilling landscape was just beginning to unfold. Craft beer would begin its ascencion into the market share and helped carve a path to the more adventerous consumer ready to leave the mega-corps and start trying smaller brands.

Stranahan's marks a new era in craft distilling.

By the late 90s craft brewing was a mainstay and a few more distilleries had ventured into the space, but it was Distilled Spirits Tax Payment Simplification Act of 1999 that would spawn the wave of small distilleries throughout the US, beyond just the craft brewing regions. Stranahans was an early adapter in Colorado and helped start one of the most active markets in craft distilling.

Chicago 2016, ASMWC is outlined.

It was becoming clear throughout the 2000's and 2010's that there was a new style of whiskey that just about everyone seemed to be at least dabbling in, if not their entire peronality. This new idea of creating single malt whiskey in an American style had no definition. A group of visionaries set to change that.

Cedar Ridge first single malt was in 2017.

The TTB makes an announcement on the potential future of ASM.

Many more producers of American single malt whiskey are added to the roster of ASM distillers through the rest of 2010's. Much of this whiskey is no beginning to receive international accolades and exciting single malt drinkers around the world. The govering body of spirits, the TTB, sees the rise and after many attempts of petitioning, in 2022, the firt glimmer of a new category began to shine.

By 2023, more than 100 producers have signed on and supported the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission and its mission. Distilleries from around the country are now focused on this special category, such as Hinterhaus from Arnold, CA.

The largest gathering of American single malt whiskey producers ever was at 2024 ACSA convention in Denver.

Minden Mill forging new paths in 2024

In Denver in 2024, the largest gathering of ASM producers ever gathered in one room took place. Twenty four distilleries from around the country were pouring American single malt whiskeys for guests, trade, and media.

The official announcement.

Celebrations were to be had in December of 2024 when the TTB announced the establishment of American Single Malt Whiskey within the standards of indentity of American whiskeys. Hooray!

Just as important as celebrating the category, and its short history, is celebrating the landscape and climate that make up this massive country. Different climates mean different whiskeys, and there's a vast future of flavors ahead for American single malt.