Table 1 to Paragraph ( c )-Types of Whisky and Production, Storage, and Processing
Type | Source | Distillation proof | Storage | Neutral spirits permitted | Allowable coloring, flavoring, blending materials permitted |
(1) Whisky, which may be used as the designation for any of the type designations under the class "whisky," or may be used as the designation if the whisky does not meet one of the type designations but satisfies the class designation | Fermented grain mash | Less than 190° | Oak barrels with no minimum time requirement | No | Yes. |
(2) Bourbon Whisky, Rye Whisky, Wheat Whisky, Malt Whisky, Rye Malt Whisky, or [name of other grain] Whisky | Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain, [Other grain] | 160° or less | Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less | No | Yes, except for bourbon whisky. |
(3) Corn Whisky. (Whisky conforming to this standard must be designated as "corn whisky.") | Fermented mash of not less than 80% corn | 160° or less | Required only if age is claimed on the label. If stored, must be stored at 125° or less in used or uncharred new oak barrels | No | Yes. |
(4) Straight Whisky | Fermented mash of less than 51% corn, rye, wheat, malted barley, malted rye [or other] grain. (Includes mixtures of straight whiskies made in the same state.) | 160° or less | Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less for a minimum of 2 years | No | No. |
(5) Straight Bourbon Whisky, Straight Rye Whisky, Straight Wheat Whisky, Straight Malt Whisky, or Straight Rye Malt Whisky | Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain | 160° or less | Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less for a minimum of 2 years | No | No. |
(6) Straight Corn Whisky | Fermented mash of not less than 80% corn | 160° or less | 125° or less in used or uncharred new oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years | No | No. |
(7) Whisky distilled from Bourbon/Rye/Wheat/Malt/Rye Malt/[Name of other grain] mash | Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain, [Other grain] | 160° or less | Used oak barrels | No | Yes. |
(8) Light Whisky | Fermented grain mash | More than 160° | Used or uncharred new oak barrels | No | Yes. |
(9) Blended Light Whisky (Light Whisky-a blend) | Light whisky blended with less than 20% Straight Whisky on a proof gallon basis | Blend | Will contain a blend | No | Yes. |
(10) Blended Whisky (Whisky-a blend) | At least 20% Straight Whisky on a proof gallon basis plus Whisky or Neutral Spirits alone or in combination | 160° or less | Will contain a blend of spirits, some stored and some not stored | Maximum of 80% on a proof gallon basis | Yes. |
(11) Blended Bourbon Whisky, Blended Rye Whisky, Blended Wheat Whisky, Blended Malt Whisky, Blended Rye Malt Whisky, Blended Corn Whisky (or Whisky-a blend) | At least 51% on a proof gallon basis of: Straight Bourbon, Rye, Wheat, Malt, Rye Malt, or Corn Whisky; the rest comprised of Whisky or Neutral Spirits alone or in combination | Blend | Will contain a blend of spirits, some stored and some not stored | Maximum of 49% on a proof gallon basis | Yes. |
(12) Blend of Straight Whiskies (Blended Straight Whiskies) | Mixture of Straight Whiskies that does not conform to "Straight Whisky" | 160° or less | Will contain a blend of spirits which were aged at least 2 years | No, except as part of a flavor | Yes. |
(13) Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskies, Blended Straight Rye Whiskies, Blended Straight Wheat Whiskies, Blended Straight Malt Whiskies, Blended Straight Rye Malt Whiskies, Blended Straight Corn Whiskies, (or a blend of straight whiskies) | Mixture of Straight Whiskies of the same named type produced in different states or produced in the same state but contains coloring, flavoring or blending material | 160° or less | Will contain a blend of spirits which were aged at least 2 years | No, except as part of a flavor | Yes. |
(14) Spirit Whisky | Mixture of Neutral Spirits and 5% or more on a proof gallon basis of: Whisky or Straight Whisky or a combination of both. The Straight Whisky component must be less than 20% on a proof gallon basis | Blend | Will contain a blend of spirits, some stored and some not stored | Maximum of 95% on a proof gallon basis | Yes. |
Table 2 to Paragraph ( c )-Types of Whisky That Are Distinctive Products
(16) Scotch whisky | Whisky which is a distinctive product of Scotland, manufactured in Scotland in compliance with the laws of the United Kingdom regulating the manufacture of Scotch whisky for consumption in the United Kingdom: Provided, That if such product is a mixture of whiskies, such mixture is "blended Scotch whisky" or "Scotch whisky-a blend". |
(17) Irish whisky | Whisky which is a distinctive product of Ireland, manufactured either in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland, in compliance with their laws regulating the manufacture of Irish whisky for home consumption: Provided, That if such product is a mixture of whiskies, such mixture is "blended Irish whisky" or "Irish whisky-a blend". |
(18) Canadian whisky | Whisky which is a distinctive product of Canada, manufactured in Canada in compliance with the laws of Canada regulating the manufacture of Canadian whisky for consumption in Canada: Provided, That if such product is a mixture of whiskies, such mixture is "blended Canadian whisky" or "Canadian whisky-a blend". |
27 C.F.R. §5.143