An American straight malt whiskey is a domestic malt whiskey (with at least 51%malt) that has been aged for two years or more before bottling. This category encompasses many examples, from very good versions made by large distillers to more limited production bourbons that have been aged for twelve years or more; the former examples are meant for cocktails, while the more expensive whiskeys - some costing as much as $200 a bottle - should be reserved for after dinner sipping, given their elegant and complex nature.