Bottled-in-BondTrait

A US label term set by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. The whiskey must come from one distillery and one distilling season, age at least four years in a government-supervised bonded warehouse, and be bottled at exactly 100 proof.

The Rules

• Made at one distillery
• Distilled in one season (January–June or July–December)
• Aged at least 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse
• Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV)
• The label names the distillery that made it, and where it was bottled if different

On The Label

• "Bottled-in-Bond" or "Bonded" on the label
• The DSP number shows the distillery

Why It Matters

One of the first US consumer-protection laws, passed when whiskey was often watered down or coloured. Today it tells you exactly what you are getting at full 100 proof, usually at a fair price.