Distilled Spirits Labels

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Because a small Government Name and Address27 CFR27 CFR 5.36 5.36 worry?worry? Because Because a small a small Government Government NameName and andAddress Address agency takes pride in assuring that the agencyagency takes takes pride pride in assuring in assuring that the that the WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Alcohol Content 27 CFR 5.37 alcohol beverages sold in the United WHATWHAT YOU YOU SHOULD SHOULD KNOW KNOW AlcoholAlcohol Content Content 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.37 5.37 alcoholalcohol beverages beverages sold sold in the in United the United States are properly described on the ABOUT Caloric and Carbohydrate StatesStates are properly are properly described described on the on the ABOUTABOUT CaloricCaloric and andCarbohydrate Carbohydrate container. Representations container.container. 27 CFRRepresentations 5.42Representations and TTB Ruling 2004-1 DISTILLED SPIRITS 27 CFR27 CFR 5.42 5.42 and andTTB TTB Ruling Ruling 2004-1 2004-1 TTB takes tremendous pride in its DISTILLEDDISTILLED SPIRITS SPIRITS TTBstrategic TTB takes mission takes tremendous tremendousto “Protect pride the pride Public,” in its in its Health Warning Statement strategicstrategic mission mission to “Protect to “Protect the Public,” the Public,” LABELS HealthHealth Warning27 WarningCFR PartStatement Statement16 which is designed to assure the integrity LABELSLABELS 27 CFR27 CFR Part Part16 16 whichof alcoholwhich is designed isbeverages designed to assure in to the assure marketplace,the integrity the integrity Country of Origin 27 CFR 5.36(e) ofverify alcoholof alcoholand beverages substantiate beverages in theindustry in marketplace, the marketplace,member CountryCountry of Origin of Origin 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.36(e) 5.36(e) verifycomplianceverify and substantiateand with substantiate laws industry and industry regulations, member member Class and Type 27 CFR 5.35 compliancecompliance with with laws laws and andregulations, regulations, ClassClass and andType Type 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.35 5.35 and to provide information to the public Presence of Neutral Spirits and andas toand a provide means to provide information of preventing information to the consumer to public the public PresenceColoring,Presence of Flavoring Neutral of Neutral Spirits and Spirits Blending and and asdeception. aas means a means of preventing of preventing consumer consumer Coloring,Coloring,Materials Flavoring Flavoring 27 and CFR andBlending 5.39 Blending deception.deception. MaterialsMaterials 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.39 5.39 TTB reviews more than 100,000 alcohol Net Contents 27 CFR 5.38/5.47a TTBlabels, TTBreviews as reviews well more as more than advertisements, than100,000 100,000 alcohol each alcohol Net NetContents Contents 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.38/5.47a 5.38/5.47a labels,yearlabels, to as verify well as that as well advertisements,they as advertisements,provide adequate each each Prohibited Practices 27 CFR 5.42 yearinformation yearto verify to verify tothat the theythat consumer providethey provide concerningadequate adequate ProhibitedProhibited Practices Practices 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.42 5.42 Statements of Age and Percentage informationthe information identity to and the to quality consumer the consumer of each concerning alcohol concerning StatementsStatements of27 Age of CFR Age and 5.40 andPercentage Percentage thebeverage identitythe identity and and to quality and make quality of certain each of that each alcohol they alcohol 27 CFR27 CFR 5.40 5.40 beveragedo notbeverage mislead and to and consumers. make to make certain certain that they that they Voluntary Disclosure of Major do notdo mislead not mislead consumers. consumers. VoluntaryFoodVoluntary Allergens Disclosure Disclosure 27 CFRof Major of 5.32a Major TTB investigators conduct product FoodFood Allergens Allergens 27 CFR 27 CFR 5.32a 5.32a TTBintegrity TTB investigators field investigators investigations conduct conduct to check product that product integrityindustryintegrity field members investigationsfield investigations are to following check to check that all that industryFederalindustry memberslabeling members are and are following production following all all standards for alcohol beverages. These FederalFederal labeling labeling and and production production standardsinvestigationsstandards for alcohol for alcohol often beverages. beverages. include These These a investigationscomprehensiveinvestigations often chemical often include include analysis a a comprehensiveconductedcomprehensive at one of chemical our chemical two state-of-the- analysis analysis conductedart laboratories.conducted at one at ofone our of two our state-of-the- two state-of-the- art laboratories.art laboratories. This informational pamphlet is designed to educate the American public about This This informational informational pamphlet pamphlet is designed is designed how to read an alcohol beverage label. to educateto educate the American the American public public about about If you want to learn more, visit our web how how to read to read an alcohol an alcohol beverage beverage label. label. Web site at www.ttb.gov. If youIf want you want to learn to learn more, more, visit our visit web our web A proud past....A focused future Web Website at siteTTBTTB www.ttb.gov. at PP 5190www.ttb.gov.5190.22 (0 (04/2008) 4/2008 ) TTB PTTB 5190 P2 5190(04/2002 (084)/2008) WHAT A DISTILLED SPIRITS LABEL TELLS YOU If you have ever taken a look behind a bar, you have seen rows upon rows of different bottles in a variety of heights, sizes, colors, and flavors. Usually the majority of these bottles are distilled spirits. Distilled spirits are generally produced by first combining various ingredients and fermenting them. The resulting fermented “mash,” which has a low alcohol content, is then heated in a still until the alcohol turns into a vapor, which is captured and then turned back into liquid alcohol. This process is called “distillation,” and is generally what distinguishes these products from wine and malt beverages. TTB regulations require that many types of distilled spirits, such as vodka, gin, rum, and tequila, must be bottled at no less than 40% alcohol by volume (80° proof). Other products,

such as cordials, liqueurs, and specialties, may be bottled at a lower alcohol content. A careful review of the label will help you to understand the product in the

bottle, and TTB designed this guide to help consumers make an informed choice when purchasing a distilled spirits product. TTB regulations can be quite

detailed in regard to the production of distilled spirits and the information appearing on the bottle; not every possibility is presented here, but this guide will give

you a good grasp of the fundamentals. For more detailed information please see the regulations listed on the back of this pamphlet.

CLASS/TYPE DESIGNATION BRAND NAME

The brand label of a distilled spirit must contain a The brand name is used to identify and market a distilled designation that accurately identifies the product in the spirits product. A brand name may not mislead the bottle. The regulations are quite specific as to the consumer about the age, identity, origin, or other ingredients and processes used to produce a product of a characteristics of the distilled spirit. given class or type. For instance:

Gin must derive its main characteristic flavor from juniper NAME AND ADDRESS berries. In addition, gin labels must also show the

commodity from which the product was distilled (e.g., The name and address of the bottler or importer must “Distilled from grain”). appear on the container. However, the address of the bottler's principal place of business may be used instead of Vodka is defined as neutral spirits (alcohol produced from the actual location where the bottling took place. It is also any material at or above 190° proof) so distilled, or so permissible for a bottler/importer to use a duly authorized treated after distillation, as to be without distinctive trade name in place of its usual operating name. character, aroma, taste, or color. Like gin, vodka labels

must also show the commodity from which the product was

distilled. ALCOHOL CONTENT

Rum must be made from the fermented juice of sugar cane, A statement of alcohol content expressed in percent by GIN sugar cane syrup, sugar cane molasses, or other sugar cane volume must appear on the brand label. An additional by-products. alcohol content statement expressed in degrees of proof DISTILLED FROM GRAIN may be shown in addition to the required alcohol by volume Tequila must be derived principally from the Agave statement. BOTTLED BY XYZ DISTILLING CO., CITY, STATE Tequilana Weber plant (“blue” variety). Tequila is a

distinctive product of Mexico, manufactured in Mexico in 40% ALC./VOL. (80 PROOF) 750 ML compliance with the laws of Mexico. HEALTH WARNING STATEMENT

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) ACCORDING Cordials and Liqueurs are produced from spirits in By law, this statement is required on all alcohol beverages TO THE SURGEON GENERAL, WOMEN combination with fruits, flowers, plants, juices, or natural containing 0.5% or more alcohol by volume. SHOULD NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES flavors and with the addition of at least 2.5% by weight of DURING PREGNANCY BECAUSE OF THE RISK certain sugars. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF BIRTH DEFECTS. (2) CONSUMPTION OF

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IMPAIRS YOUR A distilled spirits product may not fit into any of the classes Pursuant to regulations issued by TTB, as well as ABILITY TO DRIVE A CAR OR OPERATE or types of spirits found in the regulations, usually because requirements of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a MACHINERY, AND MAY CAUSE HEALTH of the addition of flavoring materials or because it was made Country of Origin statement is required on containers of PROBLEMS. with a non-standard blending or treating material. When this imported distilled spirits. Acceptable statements include is the case, the product must be labeled with a truthful and “Product of (insert name of country)” or “Produced in (insert NET CONTENTS adequate statement of composition such as “Rum with name of country).” natural flavors.” These products will also bear a mandatory

The net contents of a distilled spirit container must be stated fanciful name, such as “Spiced Rum.”

in metric units of measure. Distilled spirits must be bottled in

sizes of 1.75 L, 1 L, 750 ml, 375 ml, 200 ml, 100 ml, or 50

ml. A can must be filled to 355 ml, 200 ml, 100 ml, or 50 ml.