100% wheat rum?

[mamajuana]

While perusing the TTB approvals of the week today I noticed a disturbing approval. It was from a rum called back alley rum. The rum is made by the Lawless distilling company in MN.

The label clearly states made from 100% wheat but claims vanilla and molasses tones on its back label. I realize the same issue happened with a product made from maple syrup recently, but wheat? This is going too far now.


TTB link:

https://www.ttbonline.gov/colasonline/v ... 5001000534

[Capn Jimbo]

If you can't see the label, click on the "printable version" link at the upper right part of this document.

[Capn Jimbo]

Here 'tis...


. . . . . . .


Email to the well-named "Lawless Distillery":

"Dear Sirs:

Hello! Capn Jimbo here of The Rum Project (the largest independent, non-commercial rum website on the net (half million monthly hits). We review and discuss rums of all kinds, not to mention a few whiskies, and other spirits.

One of our members recently noted your application for a label for "Back Alley Rum". To our great surprise, this proposed label also states "Made from 100% Minnesota wheat". This of course seems impossible as the Standards of Identity make clear that while gin, vodka and whisky may begin with wheat, the Standards of Identity make clear that rum must be made only from sugar cane and/or its byproducts (eg molasses, sugar cane juice, sugar cane syrup, etc.).

But not wheat.

I might also note that some months ago a distiller had proposed a "rum" made from "maple syrup" - which was quickly disallowed for the same reasons as above. Rum MUST be made from sugar cane/byproducts, to wit:

§5.22 (f) Class 6; rum. “Rum” is an alcoholic distillate from the fermented juice of sugar cane, sugar cane syrup, sugar cane molasses, or other sugar cane by-products, produced at less than 190° proof in such manner that the distillate possesses the taste, aroma, and characteristics generally attributed to rum, and bottled at not less than 80° proof; and also includes mixtures solely of such distillates.

Wheat is not included. Have you made an error on your label application, or are you actually promoting a "rum" made from "100% wheat", in contradiction of the regulations?

Cordially,
Capn Jimbo
The Rum Project

[Winston]

Well, this should be interesting.