Bottled-in-bond whiskey is a type of American-produced distilled beverage that has been aged and bottled according to a set of legal regulations. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 was created to ensure the quality of American whiskey, which was inconsistent at the time. To be labeled as bottled-in-bond or bonded, the liquor must be the product of one distillation season by one distiller at one distillery, aged in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision for at least four years, and bottled at 100 (U.S.) proof (50% alcohol by volume) . The bottled products label must identify the distillery where it was distilled and, if different, where it was bottled. Bonded whiskeys are the most common type of bottled-in-bond spirits, but any spirit can be bonded.
Bottled-in-bond whiskey is considered a mark of provenance and transparency, and it arguably holds spirits to a higher standard than most Scotch and more scrupulous than Cognac’s designation. Bonded whiskey is a sign of quality, and it is relevant to distillers today. Bottled-in-bond spirits offer unique flavors, and each distillery maintains its own unique flavor. While there are not many bottled-in-bond whiskeys available, they are highly regarded by whiskey enthusiasts.
