What is bottled in bond?

"Bottled in Bond" is a designation for American spirits that adheres to specific legal requirements set by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. Initially aimed at ensuring the quality and integrity of whiskey, particularly bourbon, the regulations serve as a guarantee of a spirit's authenticity and quality. Here are the key aspects of what "Bottled in Bond" entails:

1. Single Distillery and Season: The spirit must be produced by one distiller at one distillery during a single distillation season. There are two distilling seasons in a year: January to June and July to December.

2. Aging Requirements: The spirit must be aged for a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse under the U.S. government’s supervision. This aging period ensures a baseline of maturity and quality.

3. Proof Standards: It must be bottled at exactly 100 proof, equivalent to 50% alcohol by volume. This higher alcohol content is thought to help preserve the flavor during the aging process.

4. Labeling: The label must clearly state that it is "Bottled in Bond" and provide information about the distillery where it was produced and, if different, the bottling company.

5. Eligibility: While the Bottled in Bond Act was originally created for whiskey, the designation can apply to other spirits as long as they adhere to the same standards.

This designation was very important for consumer protection in the late 19th century due to rampant adulteration and quality issues but still serves today as a mark of quality and authenticity, prized by connoisseurs and collectors.