Small Batch Vs. Single Batch

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Is there any distinction between Small Batch and Single Batch bourbons? Does Single Batch even exist? If Single Batch does exist, what are the legal parameters associated with it?

[kitzg]

Single BARREL exists. It means that all of the whiskey 'dumped' (the distiller's word for poured from a barrel) is not mingled (you and I might say mixed) with any other whiskey. Most whiskies are mingled to provide consistency. When buying a single barrel it will always (? usually) state the barrel number and date dumped?

At least after about six months of studying I think I'm right.

Greg

[kitzg]

Welcome to Straightbourbon.com. The following will probably also help you. If the term "single batch' is used I'm not aware of it but there are some real insiders who follow this forum and if it exists they'll tell you. Meanwhile, here are some answers:

What is small batch bourbon?

Small batch bourbons are bottlings from a "batch" of barrels that have been mixed prior to the bottling. Some of the more well known small batch bourbons include: Baker's, Booker's, Basil Hayden's, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, and Woodford Reserve.

What is single barrel bourbon?

Bourbons called single barrel are the bottling of one "single" barrel of bourbon. The single barrel bourbons include: Elijah Craig, 18 years old; Blanton's; Elmer T. Lee, Single Barrel Bourbon; Henry McKenna, Single Barrel; and Evan William's Vintage.

Again, welcome aboard!

Greg

[boone]

Elijah Craig 12 yr. is small batch.

boone

[cowdery]

As already noted, there is no such thing as single batch bourbon, but you may have been thinking of singel barrel bourbon.

Neither term, however, has any legal significance. "Small Batch" is a marketing concept created by Jim Beam. "Single Barrel" is a marketing concept created by Ancient Age (now Buffalo Trace). "Straight," "Bourbon," and "Whiskey" are all terms that are "officially" defined in federal law. Most other terms used on labels or to describe whiskeys have have no similar legal standing.

--Chuck Cowdery

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

"..."Straight," "Bourbon," and "Whiskey" are all terms that are "officially" defined in federal law. Most other terms used on labels or to describe whiskeys have have no similar legal standing."

Also, you're forbidden to use the word "Kentucky" on the label unless all the whiskey in the bottle is made in that state. That is, you can have Straight Bourbon made in Virginia, but not Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

I don't think that law applies to ALL states, though. Just for those of us who are fascinated by useless legal quirks, does anyone know if it's actually against the law to call a straight bourbon distilled in Kentucky "Arizona Straight Bourbon"? If there is no whiskey industry in Arizona and no "apellation controlee"-type laws on the books in that state, could you label your Kentucky bourbon that way?

I'm also not clear as to whether you could produce a bourbon whiskey in Memphis and label it, "Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey". The designation "Tennessee Whiskey" is (supposedly) reserved, but that phrase seems significantly different, at least as far as legalities go. Especially with the word "Bourbon" included.

Just havin' fun a-splittin' a few hairs 'n' pickin' a few nits...

=John=

http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

My experience is that the definition of "Small Batch" depends upon how the distiller wants to define it that day. It changes just about every time I hear a distiller define the term.

Mike Veach

[cowdery]

I believe Kentucky law also requires that the product be aged in Kentucky for at least two years before you can put "Kentucky" on the label.

There probably would be nothing to prevent you from labeling a Kentucky-made product "Arizona Straight Bourbon Whiskey." Certainly nothing in federal law prevents it and it would be up to Arizona to pass some legislation purporting to control use of the term "Arizona."

Case in point. There is here in Chicago a product called "Arizona Iced Tea." It is a flavored tea line that competes with Snapple. I can't say for sure, but I seem to recall that the product is made somewhere in Wisconsin, i.e., not in Arizona.

Nothing in the federal regulations governing use of the term "Tennessee Whiskey" would in any way prevent a Tennessee producer from making "Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey."

--Chuck Cowdery

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

"... Case in point. There is here in Chicago a product called 'Arizona Iced Tea'..."

It's national, I think. I had that in mind when I picked a state for the example. I think if there were an organization such as the Downstate Arizona Manufacturers and Marketers of Ice Tea (DAMMIT), they might be able to exert pressure to get such a law passed. I doubt that one local ice tea plant could do it, though. As an illustration to a point I tried to make in another post, however, if that one local ice tea plant was the chief business of one of Arizona's finest old families, with governors, senators, war heros, major political contributors, civic philantropists, and such dating back to the original settlers, I'll bet such a law would be passed very quickly.

"... Nothing in the federal regulations governing use of the term 'Tennessee Whiskey' would in any way prevent a Tennessee producer from making 'Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey.'"

Even more, thanks to your referral awhile back (and available on Chuck's website, folks) to the actual Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms document that legally defines bourbon (and all other distilled beverages in the United States), I don't see any real reason why I couldn't make my Arizona out of 100% oats and call it "Tennessee Whiskey" (except that Tennessee may have a restriction on use of the name). There is no federal definition of Tennessee Whiskey. The so-called "federal recognition" of Tennessee whiskey as a distinct type appears to be something Reagor Motlow made up, based on a response he received to his presentation to the Department of Internal Revenue. The letter, which is not a legal document in the sense that the BATF definition is, doesn't say anything about Tennessee Whiskey being a specific type; it only states that it is not "bourbon", although they allow that it may still be labelled "whiskey". That would place it in the same class as Early Times. Most people would interpret the letter as a failure to secure recognition as a bourbon (since that was its current status until then); Reagor, to his credit as a marketing genius, turned it around and made it the VERY successful basis for his product's exclusivity. In the process he also managed a good shot at his only potential competition, but that's another story...

=John=

http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

I'm just bumping this thread up as it relates to the "Rocket Science" thread.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.