The Bottled in Bond Act

The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 is a U.S. law that set standards for the production of certain spirits, mainly whiskey. To qualify as "bottled-in-bond," a bottle must come from a single distillation season, be distilled at one distillery, and aged in barrels for at least four years. It must be bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol) and produced entirely by one distiller. This law ensures quality, consistency, and authenticity, giving consumers confidence that the product meets high standards and is genuine.