When you raise a glass of whiskey with this distinction, know what you are getting
Whiskey has its own language. From traits like overproof to mash bill, there’s a lot to keep track of along the quest to know precisely what’s in your glass. “Bottled in bond” is one of those terms, printed on distillery labels from all over the United States. But what on earth does it actually mean?
“Bottled in Bond was a very early consumer protection law,” says Brett Carlile, founder of Woodinville Whiskey. “In the late 1800s there were those making subpar whiskey and taking shortcuts for profits by adding fake colorings and flavorings to give the appearance of a quality whiskey. This was hurting the real producers who were making whiskey the right way.”
Enter the Feds for a solution and some consumer protection. “The government created the Bottled in Bond Act which was used on the label to assure the consumer was getting what they were actually buying,” he says. “The rules for Bottled in Bond are: Whiskey must be aged for a minimum of four years, bottled at 100 proof, made at a single distillery in one distilling season and then aged in a bonded warehouse.”
You see similar terms in other industries with the same general objective. In wine, for example, there are labeling laws in place that only allow producers to use terms like Pinot Noir if the wine itself has a certain percentage of that particular variety. (Oregon and Washington have some of the strictest requirements.) Similarly, you can only label a wine as “estate” if it’s made entirely from fruit grown on a winery’s estate vineyard. Again, it’s all about arming the consumer with as much knowledge. And it’s just as much about rooting out producers that might be trying to use the marketing muscle of a particular title or term, even when the product itself isn’t exactly that.
So let’s celebrate the consumer’s right to know with a glass raised. Here are a few bottled in bond whiskies to look out for:
Bourbon Whiskey
Woodinville Whiskey Co. | Woodinville, Wash.
This limited-edition whiskey is released now and again by the Washington label, sourcing its grain from the Quincy, Washington, area. Like the rest of the label’s lineup, it’s a deftly made spirit, with lots of layers and a great finish.
Rye Whiskey
Bardenay Distilling Co. | Boise, Idaho
Made in Idaho, this bottled in bond whiskey reminds of dessert pastries, with a buttery texture and a bit of spice from the rye. Drink on its own or use it in your favorite Manhattan recipe.
TRIT Straight Whiskey
Branch Point | Dayton, Oregon
This Oregon whiskey is a single-barrel offering aged for six years in American oak. It shows generous amounts of citrus, toffee and spice and pours a beautiful amber hue.
Captain’s Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Chambers Bay Distillery | University Place, Washington
Boathouse aged, this bottled in bond whiskey tends to sell out quickly. The special release is a tasting room–only offering and is aged for five years, just beaming with candied citrus qualities.
