Minds → Alcohol & Cannabis Compliance → What information must appear on a distilled spirits label? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.
US FederalWhat information must appear on a distilled spirits label? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.
Under 27 CFR 5.63, a distilled spirits label must display, within the same field of vision, the brand name (§ 5.64), class or type (§ 5.65), and alcohol content. Elsewhere on the container, the label must show the name and address of the bottler, distiller, or importer (§§ 5.66–5.68) and net contents (§ 5.70), and disclose neutral spirits, wood treatment, age, state of distillation, and any FD&C Yellow No. 5, cochineal extract or carmine, sulfites, or aspartame content.
Last verified: 2026-08-28 · Sources checked: 1/1 resolving · Next scheduled review: 2026-11-26
Details / How it works
Section 5.63 divides mandatory distilled spirits label information into three categories:
- Same field of vision — brand name (per § 5.64), class, type or other designation (per subpart I), and alcohol content (per § 5.65).
- Anywhere on the container — name and address of the bottler/distiller (per § 5.66) or importer (per §§ 5.67–5.68), and net contents (per § 5.70).
- Ingredients, processes, and other disclosures — neutral spirits (§ 5.71), wood treatment (§§ 5.72–5.73), age (§ 5.74), state of distillation for U.S.-distilled whisky (§ 5.66(f)), FD&C Yellow No. 5, cochineal extract or carmine (effective for products removed on or after April 16, 2013), sulfites at 10+ ppm, and an aspartame phenylalanine warning.
Distinctive liquor bottles may claim an exemption from placement rules under § 5.205(b)(2).
Numbers & thresholds
| Disclosure | Threshold / Trigger | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Sulfites | ≥ 10 ppm total sulfur dioxide | § 5.63(c)(7) |
| Cochineal extract / carmine | Applies to products removed on or after April 16, 2013 | § 5.63(c)(6) |
| Field of vision | Single side (40% of circumference for cylinders) | § 5.63(a) |
| Aspartame | Any amount — requires PHENYLKETONURICS warning | § 5.63(c)(8) |
Exceptions & edge cases
Distinctive liquor bottles are partially exempt from mandatory information placement requirements under § 5.205(b)(2). State-of-distillation disclosure applies only to whisky types defined in § 5.143(c)(2) through (c)(7) that are distilled in the United States. Net contents may be blown, embossed, or molded directly into the container.
Sources
- [1]U.S. Government Publishing Office / Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau — 27 CFR 5.63 — Mandatory label information for distilled spirits · as of 2026-08-28
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