New York American Single Malt Lays Claim To First Bottled In Bond Designation

The rapidly growing, but still widely below the radar, category of American single malt whiskey has a number of distilleries within its ranks producing some fascinating bottlings. None of them to date apparently have yet though to gain the highly coveted bottled-in-bond designation most commonly seen with bourbon. That’s changed now though with word from Long Island Spirits of its new Pine Barrens Bottled-in-Bond expression.

The new Pine Barrens Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt Whisky, according to those behind it, is said to have been “aged and bottled according to a set of legal regulations contained in the United States government’s Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits. The regulations are codified in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. In order to be labeled as “Bottled-in-Bond” or “Bonded,” the whisky must be the product of one distillation season and one distiller at one distillery. It must be bottled and aged in federally bonded warehouses under the U.S. government supervision for no less than 4 years. The bottled product’s label must identify the distillery by DSP number.”

More specifically, this American single malt started as a barley wine ale beer that Long Island Spirits brewed and fermented for about three weeks. Pine Barrens Bottled-in-Bond was then double copper pot distilled prior to being aged in new American Oak casks for at least four years. Finally, it was bottled at 100 proof.

“I am thrilled by the cult like following Pine Barrens has developed over the years and the lucky few who are able to secure a bottle of this first release, will delight in the enchantment of this whisky,” said Rich Stabile, Founder and Master Distiller of Long Island Spirits, in a prepared statement. “We will continue to expand our Bottle-in-Bond offerings to include our Rough Rider Bourbon and Rye Whiskies as well.”

Long Island Spirits will be offering the Pine Barrens “Bottled-in-Bond” series as an annual release, which will retail for about $100. Initially only 300 750 ml bottles will be made available.