by cowdery » Wed May 12, 2010 11:31 pm
I know, it's nine pages with no pictures. Here are a few highlights.
"The removal of the present regulatory restrictions referred to would facilitate the production of whiskies to be marketed as bourbon, rye, etc., or 'straight' whisky which generally lack the distinguishing characteristics of such whiskies, and this would not be in the interests of the consumer."
"Several studies proved conclusively that whiskies distilled at more than 160° proof mature satisfactorily in used cooperage. Canadian, Scotch, and Irish whiskies are composed primarily of whisky so matured."
"The higher distillation proof produces a distillate containing less pronounced natural flavoring components (both desirable and undesirable ones). Thus a smaller amount of wood extractives is needed to produce a balanced, palatable whisky. Whiskies distilled at such higher proofs are matured abroad in American used charred oak containers, 'small wood,' sherry casks, sherry butts, or other oak containers of varying capacities. Storing of such whisky in charred new oak containers would not produce a balanced whisky since it would be overburdened with wood extractives. Consistent with the higher distillation proof, such whiskies may be properly entered for storage at proofs higher than 125°."
"The present regulations with respect to whisky distilled at not exceeding 160° proof are appropriate for the traditional American types but discriminate against the domestic production of whisky distilled at high distillation proof and stored in used cooperage. Although the latter type of whisky is properly matured in used containers, the regulations prohibit it from bearing the normal age statement and require the statement 'stored _____ years in reused cooperage.' This statement, although descriptive of the actual maturing process, adversely affects marketability. The appearance of a storage statement is likely to mislead the consumer into believing the product to be inferior because it was matured in used containers instead of new oak containers. In fact, the product properly matures in used containers although it is different in character than the traditional American types of whiskies."
"The names of states which are associated in the consumer's mind with the production of the American types of whiskies shall not be permitted to be featured on the labels and in the advertising of 'light whisky' or 'blended light whisky.'"
"The practice of adding powdered oak, or wood chips, whether large (slabs) or small in size, in order to make up for deficiencies in wood extractives resulting from excessive barrel size is limited by the regulatory requirement that where such materials are used the label state such fact."
"No need was established for a minimum age requirement for current domestic types of whisky. There are no appreciable amounts of immature whiskies currently being sold. Although some whisky is being offered at less than two years of age, this is, in the main, corn whisky. In any event, the present regulations protect the consumer by requiring all whiskies less than four years old to bear a true age statement."