Bolivian domestic spirit Singani has secured recognition as a segment in its own right in the US, signifying the reciprocation of a similar arrangement in the other direction for Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey.
Three years ago, the US Trade Representative and Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “exchanged letters” that started the ball rolling on achieving mutual recognition for each party’s terms of definition for their domestic spirits categories. This week, the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau confirmed an amendment of its regulations, allowing for Singani to be included as “a type of brandy that is a distinctive product of Bolivia”.
In its home country, Singani is legally defined as a spirit distilled from wines made of Vitis vinifera grapes produced at a minimum altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level, and produced and bottled in traditional ‘zones of origin’ at the same minimum altitude.
While some of the spirit’s characteristics, such as ABV levels and maturation processes, deviate from the US definition of brandy, a petition fronted in late 2018 by the Singani 63 brand and backed by the Bolivian Government prompted the negotiations.
“The publication of this final rule activates Bolivia’s obligations … [that] … within 30 days thereafter, [the country will] recognise Bourbon whiskey and Tennessee whiskey as distinctive products of the US,” the TTB said.
Singani 63 is the export name for producer Casa Real’s namesake Black Label expression in Bolivia.
Full details of the TTB ruling can be viewed here.
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