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Yellowstone ups single malt exports by 22%

Kentucky distillery Limestone Branch will send more of its American single malt Yellowstone to the UK and Europe ahead of the category’s official recognition.

A bottle of American single malt whiskey and a glencairin glass
Yellowstone American single malt was released in 2023 and meets the new guidelines for the style

Limestone Branch Distillery is increasing exports of its Yellowstone American single malt to the UK and Europe by 22%, following a December ruling by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) which outlined official guidelines for the style. The distillery is part of Luxco’s branded portfolio.

“The TTB ruling is a golden moment for American single malt,” managing director of international business Greg Mefford said. “It’s grabbed the attention of whisky enthusiasts around the world and is driving curiosity. We’ve already seen a surge in interest in Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey since news of the ruling broke last month and expect awareness to grow as knowledge builds around the new category’s official standards.”

Guidelines for American single malt will take effect starting 19 January. The regulations stipulate that to be labelled American single malt, a whiskey must be made from a fermented mash of 100% malted barely produced in the US; have a distillation proof of 160 [80% ABV or less]; be distilled at the same distillery in the US; be stored in used, charred new, or uncharred new oak barrels, with a 700-litre maximum capacity and only stored in the US; and have no neutral spirits, colouring, flavouring, or blending materials added with the exception of caramel colouring which must be disclosed on the label.

Limestone Branch first released its Yellowstone single malt in early 2023. The whiskey complies with the newly established TTB standards. It is made from 100% malted barley, aged for four years in new charred oak, and bottled at 54% ABV.

“The rich history of Scotch makes single malt one of the world’s most renowned whisky styles, and any new take on this expression tends to create a reaction,” Mefford added. “In this case, the drawn-out debate in recent years for establishing the American single malt category has fuelled greater interest. People want to know what all the fuss is about, and this is driving sales in the UK and Europe.”

Limestone Branch master distiller Stephen Beam is a descendant of the Beam and Dant whiskey families and sees the new regulations as a catalyst for innovation and quality standards.

“The TTB’s official provisions provide a positive framework for raising benchmarks and the ruling signals a new era for growing the category’s popularity in well-established single malt whisky markets such as the UK, Germany, Italy and France,” Beam said.

“This official designation isn’t about pitching American single malts against Scottish counterparts, or single malts from any other country for that matter. It’s about appreciating another chapter in America’s rich history of whiskey making and I think many people who are new to the category will be pleasantly surprised by what they find.”

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