The University of Kentucky's Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA) has announced the first products to receive its Estate Whiskey Certified label. The term "estate whiskey" refers to whiskey that is "produced entirely on the distillery estate using grains sourced from the estate or local to that site".
To qualify for the programme, all production processes (including milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barrelling, ageing, and bottling) must take place on the estate distillery. In addition, a minimum of two thirds of all the mash bill grains must be grown on land owned or controlled by the estate.
Members of the EWA programme who opt in to the certification and who meet the requirements may display the "Estate Whiskey Certified" logo on qualifying bottles.
Landon Borders, EWA director, said: "The Estate Whiskey Alliance’s certification programme is central to our mission by providing transparency to consumers on ingredient sourcing and whiskey production methods. By authenticating those whiskey products that meet our highest standards with a globally recognised Estate Whiskey Certified mark, we’re assuring consumers of the exceptional craftsmanship behind each pour."
The first product to become Estate Whiskey Certified was Star Hill Farm Whisky, released earlier this year by Maker's Mark Distillery. The bottling was launched to explore and celebrate the role of regenerative agriculture in creating healthier soil and more flavourful whiskey.
Rob Samuels, managing director of Maker’s Mark, commented: "The Estate Whiskey Alliance and its new certification signals to the industry and consumers that provenance, traceability, and a commitment to locally sourced ingredients matter. Maker’s Mark has been operating with these principles since the beginning, and as a founder member, we’re proud to champion this with others, and together, drive towards a more regenerative future for American whiskey."
Further EWA members are now joining Maker's Mark under the Estate Whiskey Certified badge, with new certified spirits launching from Black Fox Farm and Distillery in Saskatchewan, Canada, Hillrock Estate Distillery in New York, and Whiskey Acres Distilling Co in Illinois. More releases are "on the way', says the EWA.
Commenting on the certification, Jamie Walter, co-founder and CEO of Whiskey Acres Distilling Co, said: "We hope this mark helps us effectively communicate to our consumers what we do — and why we do it. Raising 100 per cent of our own distillery grains is not easy, but we think it is critically important from a quality, flavour, and sustainability standpoint. From the beginning we’ve always said that great whiskey isn’t made — it’s grown."
Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote, co-founder and CEO of Black Fox Farm and Distillery, added: "We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s restoring authenticity and agricultural heritage to whisky production and honored to represent Canadian craftsmanship in this first wave of certified estate whiskies."
Each certified product will be listed on the EWA website, with information about each whiskey, such as the mash bill and the percentage of estate-grown grains used in it and the distillery location. The EWA describes itself as a "global consortium", open to whiskey producers, farmers, suppliers, academic institutions, and related organisations.
Alexa Narel, EWA operations manager, said: "This is a global programme, and our goal is to grow our membership both in and outside of the US, so we can learn from other jurisdictions about their estate whiskey production practices to strengthen the EWA."
