Artificial coloring. Which bourbons do this? I have my suspicions ....

[sku]

I've always wondered about Blanton Straight from the Barrel which is only sold overseas and is really dark, even compared to other barrel proof bourbons.

Other definitions also don't apply outside the US. You can find exports labeled as BIB which are under 100 proof. It's just something to be aware of if you're buying your bourbon outside of the US.

[portwood]

Other definitions also don't apply outside the US. You can find exports labeled as BIB which are under 100 proof. It's just something to be aware of if you're buying your bourbon outside of the US.

Do you know if the same shenanigans are going on with bottles shipped to Canada? Or does some existing agreement (i.e. FTA) ensure the American whisky definitions also apply in Canada?

[Yeti]

I've always wondered about Blanton Straight from the Barrel which is only sold overseas and is really dark, even compared to other barrel proof bourbons.

I would really hope not. For one thing, it flies in the face of the name of the bottle. Someone mentioned earlier that you have to follow the rules if its bottled here in the states, is that true? I assume Blanton's SFTB is bottled at BT like everything else, and I wouldn't think they're set up to do coloring because there would be such a limited application for it.

[squire]

It sounds like bad makeup on a pretty girl.

[sku]

Someone mentioned earlier that you have to follow the rules if its bottled here in the states, is that true?

No, it's not true. As long as it's bottled for export, none of the regulations apply.

27 CFR 5.1:

The regulations in this part relate to the labeling and advertising of distilled spirits. This part applies to the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, but does not apply to distilled spirits for export.

I did a post on this issue last year: http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2012/01/bourbon-outlaws-export-whiskey.html

[MyOldKyDram]

This whole thing just makes no sense. As others have noted, even young bourbons are darker than many if not most scotch, so what is the point?

[squire]

Ya think they'd at least kiss us afterwards.

[sku]

This whole thing just makes no sense. As others have noted, even young bourbons are darker than many if not most scotch, so what is the point?

I think this is mostly the cheap, supermarket stuff. Remember that they also don't have to adhere to the 80 proof minimum, so they can dilute down to 35% or lower and then add color to make up for it.

[MyOldKyDram]

Could be and if that's the case eh, big deal.

You deserve what you get drinking 70 proof"bourbon."

[shoshani]

Ah, those clever Europeans, figuring out a way to import young bulk Bourbon, water it down, color it up, put it in smaller bottles and call it straight.

Yeah. We really should rectify this.

Hang on. Wrong word.