Questions You May Be Considering
- What is a bottled-in-bond whiskey and how is it made?
- How is bottled-in-bond whiskey different from normal whiskey?
- Why do people like bottled-in-bond whiskey?
- Who makes the best bottled-in-bond whiskey?
Bottled-In-Bond Process
The bottled-in-bond process was initiated in the 1800’s due to bootleggers offering low quality products. It was the wild west back in the day and everyone was seeking a way to take advantage of someone else. As a result, the U.S. government offered a process that would provide legal regulation to ‘certify’ the distilling process (you can research the Bottled-In-Bond act of 1897). This process still exists with minor changes today. For a whiskey to be labeled ‘bottled-in-bond,’ it must meet the following criteria:
- Distilled by one distiller at one distillery and the label must identify the distiller
- Distilled in one season (i.e. January – June or July – December)
- Bottled at 100 proof
- Aged in a federally bonded warehouse and placed under government supervision for 4 or more years
Importance of Bottled-In-Bond Whiskey
Bottled-in-bond receives varying critiques. Some consumes view it as a certification of quality, while others see it as outdated and suggest there is a reason we don’t follow practices from the 1800’s. A majority of the whiskeys we review on DWD are aged more than 4 years, so the federal supervision to certify maturation isn’t necessary. With the woke social media crowd, distillers can’t operate with the shady business practices as they once did. For this reason, bottled-in-bond is not necessary the same way it was years ago.
However, bottled-in-bond labeling signals qualities Degenerates seek in a good whiskey. The 100 proof distilling and removal of whiskey blending leads to bolder, richer flavors. Bottled-in-bond seems like an easy processing description that will lead to a solid whiskey. The labeling/process is a bit gimmicky and unnecessary, but it gives respect to the history of whiskey and adds fun for the consumer/distiller.
All things considered, the Degenerates support the bottled-in-bond labeling and appreciate it in a few of our favorite whiskeys. The naysayers have a good argument against the process, but fuck ’em. This is whiskey, and it shouldn’t be that serious. Enjoy the drinking experience and don’t overthink it.
Degenerate Discussion
Bottled-in-bond is one of the few situations where federal regulations and supervision are appreciated. Snowden blew the whistle on the government and their wild ‘supervision’ of American citizens. He helped protect the privacy of millions and his reward is being banned from America and sought for criminal charges. I thought Trump would come through with a pardon, but his focus shifted to his personal legal defense amid the Capitol Riot controversy. Fortunately, the only job the government can figure out is sending checks and supervision of aging whiskey (and they kind of suck at one of these; hint – it’s not whiskey supervision). Crazy to think how much we pay in taxes for a bunch of douchebags and turd sandwiches to argue about things no one cares about. Thank you South Park for this amazing political reference and cheers Degenerates!