Bolivia recently became the 45^th country to officially recognize “Bourbon” and “Tennessee Whiskey” as distinctive products of the United States, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

“This important recognition ensures that only Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey that are produced in the United States according to official U.S. standards may be sold in Bolivia,” said Robert Maron, DISCUS Vice President of International Trade. “This action will protect the integrity of these popular American spirits products in this growing market.”

In January 2020, the United States and Bolivia exchanged letters under which the U.S. agreed to recognize “Singani” as a type of brandy that is a “distinctive product” of Bolivia and Bolivia agreed to recognize “Bourbon” and “Tennessee Whiskey” as “distinctive products” of the U.S. within 30 days of the U.S. issuing a final rule recognizing “Singani.”

In August 2021, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the standard of identity for brandy to provide that “Singani” is a type of brandy that is a “distinctive product” of Bolivia. In response to the NPRM, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) submitted comments to the TTB expressing support for the reciprocal recognition of each country’s distinctive distilled spirits.

In January 2023, TTB published its final rule to recognize “Singani” as a type of brandy that is a “distinctive product” of Bolivia, effective February 13, 2023. Bolivia completed its administrative process recognizing “Bourbon” and “Tennessee Whiskey” as “distinctive products” of the U.S., effective May 23, 2023.

“DISCUS commends the U.S. Government for entering into this agreement to support the mutual recognition of Bolivia’s and the United States’ distinctive distilled spirits products,” said Maron.  “We will continue to seek opportunities to urge Bolivia to extend similar recognition to the fast-growing “American Rye Whiskey” and “American Single Malt Whiskey.”