In 2024, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau formally ratified the American Single Malt category, with the new standards taking effect in January 2025. For the first time, American Single Malt Whiskey is legally defined.
Under the new rules, it must be made from 100% malted barley, distilled entirely at one US distillery, mashed, distilled, and matured in the United States, aged in oak casks not exceeding 700 litres, distilled to no more than 160 proof, and bottled at 80 proof or higher. As Steve Hawley, President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, noted, the definition ensures consumers can trust what is in the bottle.
At the World Whiskies Awards America 2026, two distilleries stood out in this newly formalised category: Virginia Distilling Company and Boulder Spirits.
Category Champion – Best American Single Malt (No Age Statement)
Virginia Distilling Company Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish
Tasting Notes: Honeysuckle, baked apple, cinnamon
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Find Your Next Bottle: $44.99
Virginia Distilling Company’s Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish reflects the hybrid identity that has long defined American Single Malt. The whiskey is made from 100% malted barley sourced from the Midwest and distilled in copper pot stills handcrafted in Scotland.
After aging for several years in first-fill bourbon barrels from premium Kentucky distilleries, the spirit is finished in virgin toasted oak barrels sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bottled at 93 proof, or 46.5% ABV, it balances Scottish distillation heritage with distinctly American oak influence.
Virginia’s climate, marked by hot summers and cool winters, accelerates maturation compared to Scotland. The toasted finish adds structure and depth, positioning this release as both rooted in tradition and clearly American in expression.
Category Winner – Best American Single Malt (12 Years & Under)
Boulder Spirits American Single Malt Whiskey “New American”
Tasting Notes: Clean, bright, rounded, citrus, oak, barley
Find Your Next Bottle: $60
Boulder Spirits approaches American Single Malt from a different angle. Founded by Scottish native Alastair Brogan, the Colorado distillery combines traditional Scottish production techniques with American maturation.
The whiskey is made from 100% imported malted barley from Scotland, fermented for extended periods, and distilled in a Forsyths copper pot still. It is then aged for a minimum of three years in freshly charred American oak barrels and bottled at 92 proof, or 46% ABV.
The use of new charred oak distinguishes it clearly from Scotch malt traditions, while Colorado’s high elevation shapes the aging environment. The name “New American” signals intent. This is not imitation, but an adaptation.
A Category Comes of Age
The ratification of American Single Malt has given the category structure and international credibility. The 2026 winners reflect two viable paths forward. Virginia Distilling Company blends Scottish influence with American oak finishing. Boulder Spirits applies traditional pot still methods in a high-elevation Western setting.
Both suggest that American Single Malt is entering its most confident phase yet.
For a complete list of all America 2026 winners across every category, see our master results table.
