Straight whiskey (orstraight whisky), as defined in United States law, iswhiskey that is distilled from afermented (malted or unmalted) cereal grainmash to a concentration not exceeding 80%alcohol by volume (abv) and aged in newcharredoakbarrels for at least two years at a concentration not exceeding 62.5% at the start of the aging process.[1] Domestic sales of straight whiskey surpassed 27 million 9-liter cases in 2021.[2]
The only allowed modifications to straight whiskey prior to its bottling consist of batching whiskey from different barrels (and sometimes from different distilleries, although only from within the same state),chill filtering the whiskey, and adding water to reduce proof while retaining at least a 40% abv concentration. This definition is established for production of American whiskey for consumption within the United States as per the U.S federalStandards of Identity for Distilled Spirits.[1] The regulations do not necessarily apply to American whiskey made for export.[3]
Alternatively,straight can be regarded as a synonym for ordering or serving whiskeyneat, without any water, ice, mixers, or other liquors.
Astraight whiskey must spend at least two years stored in charred new oak barrels,[1] exceptcorn whiskey, which must use uncharred or used oak barrels. The spirit penetrates the wood, extracting many flavor compounds and caramelized wood sugars, and oxidizing during this aging.
A straight whiskey that has been aged less than four years is required to be labeled with an age statement describing the actual age of the product.[4]
Other than an age statement, which lists the age of the youngest spirit in a bottle, the only other special labeling dealing with the age of a straight whiskey in the U.S. isbottled in bond. All bonded whiskeys are required to be straight whiskeys, and are additionally required to be aged for at least four years. Bonded whiskeys must also fulfill several other requirements.[3]
When at least 51% of the content of the mash used in the production of a straight whiskey consists ofcorn,rye,barley, orwheat, the designation can be coupled with a special name associated with the type of grain and whether the grain wasmalted. For example, a straight whiskey may be abourbon whiskey (using a mash ofcorn),malt whiskey (using a mash of maltedbarley),rye whiskey,rye malt whiskey, orwheat whiskey. An especially prominent variation is the labeling "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey", used to indicate a straight whiskey made inKentucky from a mash of at least 51% corn. For a straight whiskey to be calledcorn whiskey, it must use a mash with at least 80% corn and be aged in used or uncharred barrels.
Extra ingredients, such as caramel coloring, are forbidden in straight whiskey. In contrast, even the regulations governingsingle malt whiskey production in some countries allow the addition ofcaramel coloring to enhance appearance.[5]
The limit of 80% maximum abv concentration for the distillation is a key element of the definition ofstraight whiskey. At alcohol concentrations exceeding this amount, most of the flavor from the original fermented mash that was used in the distillation process will be removed, resulting in a moreneutral grain spirit.
In other countries, whiskey may be produced from a spirit that is much higher inalcoholic proof, which generally reduces the flavor derived from the original mash that was used in its production.[5]
Straight whiskey is a distinctly different product fromblended whiskey. Most premium-category brands of American whiskey are straight whiskey, while the economy category is primarily blended whiskey.
However, straight whiskey is also an important component of American blended whiskey. Blended whiskey made in the United States must contain at least 20% straight whiskey.[3] The remaining portion is higher-proof spirit, often unagedneutral grain spirits, which are less expensive to produce. The straight whiskey component adds characteristic whiskey flavor to the blend, as the higher proof spirit loses most flavoring compounds during the distillation process, and does not gain flavors from barrel aging. Blended whiskey may also contain additives for coloring and flavoring.
Canadian whiskey, which is typically a blend, also uses straight-whiskey-style spirits as a major flavor component, though Canada does require at least three years of aging (usually in used barrels) to qualify any product as Canadian whiskey.[6]
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