USA - Bourbon (TTB)
Straight bourbon: min 2 years in new charred American oak. Bottled-in-bond: min 4 years. Regular bourbon: no minimum but must be in new charred oak. Charring level typically #3 or #4.
Scotland - Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009
- Min 3 years maturation in oak casks of max 700 liters.
- In Scotland only.
- Single malt: 100% malted barley, single distillery, pot still.
- Blended Scotch: min 3 years all components.
- Color additions and chill filtration rules.
Ireland - Irish Whiskey Technical File
Min 3 years maturation in Ireland. In wooden casks not exceeding 700L. Triple distillation traditional but not mandatory. Single pot still: mixed malted/unmalted barley in pot still.
Canada - Canadian Whisky rules
Min 3 years maturation in small wooden containers (max 700L). Caramel and flavoring allowed (unique globally for whisky). Mashing, distilling, and aging in Canada.
Japan - Japanese Whisky 2021 rules
Since April 2021: only whisky distilled and aged min 3 years in Japan in wooden casks ≤700L can use "Japanese whisky" label. Ends the loophole of imported bulk whisky labeled as Japanese.
Mexico - emerging category
No formal Mexican whisky regulation yet. Producers follow either TTB (if exporting) or Scotch-style (if domestic premium). Growing category 2024-2026.