Bottled-in-Bond

An 1897 consumer protection law that turned into a mark of honest whiskey.

The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 was written to stop people passing off doctored spirits as whiskey. It still means something specific today.

The rules

Made by one distiller at one distillery in one distilling season. Aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse. Bottled at exactly 100 proof. The label names the distillery where it was made and, if different, where it was bottled.

Why people love it

Bonded bottles are often some of the best values on the shelf: guaranteed age, a real proof and a lot of flavor for the money.