Significant changes occurred in March this year with respect to 27 CFR Part 5 (the federal regulations which govern distilled spirits labeling and advertising). This is “Phase 2” of a three-phase change. In “Phase 2,” much of Part 5 was reorganized with changes effective March 11, 2022. Some of the most significant changes include the following:
- Elimination of the classification of “recognized cocktail” (most “recognized cocktail” products will now be classified as a “distilled spirits specialty” which is a formal class);
- Removal of the requirement that a class/type or Statement of Composition appear on the brand label. Instead, federal Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB“) regulations now require that mandatory spirits labeling information appear within the same “field of vision” where all information can be viewed simultaneously without needing to turn the container. See 27 CFR 5.63(a) for more information; and
- Adding a definition of “grain” that includes all cereal grains, as well as the seeds of the pseudocereals including amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa.