Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Chattanooga Whiskey. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
The Chattanooga Whiskey brand brings whiskey back to the people. Founded in 2011, it was the first distillery in Chattanooga in over a century. Founder Tim Piersant, among others, worked tirelessly to get laws changed in favor of whiskey distillation in Hamilton County.
The first Tennessee High Malt Whiskey was released in August 2017 after eight years in the making. Tim wished to celebrate the history of whiskey in Chattanooga and bring whiskey into the future, and it debuted as the first aged whiskey released in Chattanooga in 102 years. Previously, Tim made Chattanooga Whiskey 100, a white whiskey released in November 2015 to celebrate the 100 year whiskey distilling gap in Chattanooga’s history.
Many whiskey lovers know about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail but Chattanooga Whiskey’s Experimental Distillery is part of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. After 100 years of prohibition, this distillery is where the company started handcrafted whiskey production. Guests can enjoy a fully operational whiskey distillery. There are over 100 barrels maturing in the cellar. Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery also offers a cocktail lounge if people are not into the guided tour and tasting.
Chattanooga Whiskey has one other location, the Riverfront Distillery. At this location, Tim and Joe take the recipes from the Experimental Distillery and produce them on a larger scale. Chattanooga Whiskey became one on the biggest craft distilleries in the state of Tennessee.
The whiskey I’m reviewing here, Chattanooga Whiskey 99 Rye, is a rye malt style that’s been bottled at 99 proof and made from a four grain mash bill that includes a blend of slow toasted and drum roasted rye malt. It was aged for over 3 years.
Tasting Notes: Chattanooga Whiskey 99 Rye
Vital Stats: Straight rye malt whiskey. Malted rye, yellow corn, caramel malted rye and caramel malted barley. Attemporated 7 days and aged in charred oak barrels. Age is greater than 3 years. Distilled, bottled, and aged in Chattanooga, TN. Bottle is 99 proof.
Color: Burnished
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Nose: Chattanooga Whiskey 99 Rye has strong scents of fruit and candy. It is very fruity with a candy sweetness aroma. I detect notes of dragonfruit, fresh oak, syrup, vanilla, and licorice.
Palate: Corn, caramel, maple syrup, and stone fruit seeds. There’s a clean, crisp taste. The fruit and heat are nicely balanced. There’s a little burn at the finish, but it is not unpleasant. A light mouthfeel and doesn’t linger long on the tongue.
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