Author: Rachael Manna

Unveiling the Historical Significance of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897

Discover the intriguing story behind the Bottled In Bond act, a landmark legislation signed into effect by President Grover Cleveland in 1897, which left a lasting impact on his presidential legacy. As one of his final achievements before retiring, President Cleveland found solace and respite in his second home in Tamworth, New Hampshire. In fact, our distillery proudly stands on Cleveland Hill Road, right by the president’s cherished summer retreat.

To be labeled as Bottled-in-Bond spirit, a spirit must meet several criteria:

1. Produced by one distiller at one distillery within a single distilling season.
2. Distilled at a minimum of 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume).
3. Aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years.
4. Bottled at exactly 100 proof.

The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 aimed to ensure the quality and authenticity of distilled spirits.

The purpose of the Bottled-in-Bond Act was to combat fraud in the spirits industry. By certifying the authenticity and quality of bottled spirits, it provided consumers with a guarantee of the product’s origin, distilling process, and aging period.

This act was important because it set a standard for the production and labeling of distilled spirits, promoting transparency and consumer trust. It also helped protect the reputation of legitimate distillers while curbing the sale of counterfeit or inferior spirits. The Bottled-in-Bond Act remains an important part of American whiskey history, representing a commitment to quality and integrity in the industry.

Check out our Bottled-in-Bond spirits here.

We’re incredibly honored to have two nominations in the USA Today Reader’s Choice Awards! Vote for Tamworth Distilling in the Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery & Best Craft Brandy Distillery categories. Click below to vote — PLUS you can cast your vote for Tamworth once per day until voting ends on Monday, September 26th!

 

Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery

VOTE HERE

Best Craft Brandy Distillery

VOTE HERE

Water is an integral ingredient in many processes that go on to produce spirits. After all distilled alcohol is known in Latin as aqua vitae or “water of life”. Even the word “whiskey” is an anglicization of the Gaelic word uisce meaning “water”. Water is where all spirits begin.

August is National Water Quality Month, a time to focus on the importance of protecting our rivers, lakes, and oceans across the country, as well as the water we consume.

Happily, Tamworth Distilling sits between the White Mountains, its snow runoff, and the Lakes Region. This natural water is used to break down grains and nourish our yeast with food and minerals, who in turn give us alcohol and flavors that give us a sense of place. It also makes up 60% of a 80 proof finished spirit. We go to great lengths to further filter and purify our aquifer water.

The Vital Role of Water in Spirits Production

Water plays a crucial role in the biological processes of mashing and fermentation, serving as the medium for extracting carbohydrates and sugars from grains and facilitating yeast activity to produce ethanol and the diverse flavors found in spirits. During distillation, the mixture of grain, water, and alcohol (known as wash) is separated, with alcohol being distilled further while water remains behind. Through multiple distillations, the alcohol and water (referred to as low wines) are purified, with water content reduced to less than 5% (95% ethanol) for our vodka, gins, and infusions.

Moreover, water is essential for proofing, the process of bringing high-alcohol distillate to a bottling strength. At Tamworth Distilling, we consider proofing as an integral part of the process, using UV/Reverse Osmosis filtered White Mountain water to achieve the desired alcohol by volume (ABV). This meticulous step transforms a 95% alcohol distillate into a 40% ABV Vodka, with the remaining 60% comprising Reverse Osmosis mountain water.

Water also fulfills vital functions in cooling and heating our production equipment, including steam for the still and cooling jacketed tanks. Recognizing the value of Tamworth’s abundant fresh water, we are dedicated to its preservation. Despite the various water requirements in our distillery operations, we have implemented innovative measures to reclaim and minimize water usage. In fact, our entire distillery consumes less water than a typical 6-bedroom household.

**CONTEST ALERT**

Enter to win an all-inclusive reservation at our Tamworth Distilling Outdoor Ski Lounge for you and up to 5 friends! Enjoy spirit flights, lite bites, and White Mountain Lemonade swag bags for all. Up for the challenge? Here’s how to win.

1. Take a photo of yourself with a can of White Mountain Lemonade enduring the most New Hampshire winter activity possible. Think chair lifts, ice fishing, bob houses, shoveling, and skiing — the list goes on! We heard a can made it up Tuckerman’s Ravine 😉

2. Post your photo via Instagram and be sure to tag @Tamworth_Distilling and include #WhiteMountainLemonade & #HowNHAreYou!

We will announce 3 winners total on the following dates: 2/12, 2/26, & 3/19.

Good Luck & Live Free or Die!

For locations of “Where to buy” visit White Mountain Lemonade

Must be 21+ to participate.

FATHER’S DAY WHISKEY WEEKEND

All Father’s Day weekend long we will be toasting Dad with Whiskey Trivia, Prizes, Cocktail Packages, and Delicious Food & Flight Pairings.

Celebrate your Old Man with a bottle of Old Man of the Mountain Bourbon!

6/19 – 6/21

FATHER’S DAY WHISKEY GIFT PACKAGE

From now through Father’s Day weekend, with any purchase of a Tamworth Distilling Whiskey we will include the following for only $20:

Tamworth Distilling Branded Rocks Glass

Tamworth Distilling Branded Whiskey Disk

Father’s Day Card

This is the perfect gift to toast Dad! So, raise a glass to your Old Man and grab yours while supplies last.

AVAILABLE IN-STORE OR CURBSIDE

 

 

Dear Friends of Tamworth Distilling,

We have been thinking and reflecting on this historic global movement, and what we as a small business can do to continue the forward momentum.

At Tamworth Distilling we have always made spirits with the finest scratch-made ingredients, many of which come from small family farms. From now through the entire year, all purchases from our distillery will include a donation to the National Black Farmers Association.

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a non-profit organization representing African American farmers and their families in the United States. As an association, it serves tens of thousands of members nationwide. NBFA’s education and advocacy efforts have been focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education and agricultural training, and rural economic development for black and other small farmers.

We encourage you to learn more about this incredible organization and their outreach efforts, technical assistance, and nationwide advocacy to help socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers.

-Tamworth Distilling