Bottled-in-bond and bonded are often used interchangeably, but technically they are not exactly the same. Let me explain the difference.
The term “bonded” refers to spirits that are produced in accordance with the regulations set forth in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This act was passed by Congress to ensure the quality and authenticity of American whiskey, particularly bourbon. Whiskey that meets the criteria of the Bottled-in-Bond Act can be labeled as “bonded.”
On the other hand, “bottled-in-bond” specifically refers to whiskey that is produced and aged at one distillery, in one distilling season, by one distiller, and is then bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume). So, while all bottled-in-bond whiskies are bonded, not all bonded whiskies are bottled-in-bond.
To be labeled as bottled-in-bond, the whiskey must meet the following requirements:
1. Produced in the United States.
2. Distilled in one distilling season (January to December).
3. Produced by one distiller at one distillery.
4. Aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years.
5. Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
6. The label must clearly state the distillery where it was distilled and bottled-in-bond.
The Bottled-in-Bond Act was enacted to combat fraudulent practices in the whiskey industry at the time. It provided consumers with a guarantee of the whiskey's authenticity and quality. Today, it serves as a mark of distinction for American whiskies that adhere to these strict regulations.
Now, let me share a personal experience to illustrate the importance of the bottled-in-bond designation. I once had the opportunity to visit a small distillery in Kentucky that produced both bonded and non-bonded bourbons. The distiller explained that while their non-bonded bourbon was still of high quality, their bottled-in-bond expression had to meet even stricter standards.
The distiller mentioned that the bottled-in-bond bourbon had a dedicated production process, with all aspects closely monitored and documented to ensure compliance with the Bottled-in-Bond Act. They took pride in the fact that their bottled-in-bond bourbon represented the pinnacle of their craftsmanship and commitment to tradition.
While bonded refers to spirits that adhere to the regulations of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, bottled-in-bond specifically refers to whiskey that meets the Act's requirements of being produced and aged at one distillery, by one distiller, in one distilling season, and bottled at 100 proof. The bottled-in-bond designation provides consumers with a guarantee of quality and authenticity, and it is a mark of distinction for American whiskies that meet these standards.