Bottled in bond (BIB) refers to American whiskey that meets specific legal standards. It must be produced by one distiller at one distillery during a single distillation season, aged for a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision, and bottled at 100 proof.
Production requirements
For whiskey to qualify as bottled in bond, it must be produced entirely by one distiller at one distillery during a single season. The aging process requires a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government oversight, and the final product must be bottled at 100 proof, which equals 50% alcohol by volume.
Historical background
The bottled-in-bond system developed as a solution to the widespread adulteration of American whiskey. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 established federal standards to ensure authenticity and quality. Distilleries received tax benefits for participating in the program, while the government guaranteed the whiskey's quality through supervision of bonded warehouses.
Varieties
Although the regulations apply to all spirits, most bonded products are whiskeys. Popular bonded whiskey types include bourbon, rye whiskey, corn whiskey, and applejack. The requirement for production by a single distiller at a single distillery during one season makes bottled in bond conceptually similar to single malt or small batch whiskeys.