Chattanooga Whiskey and New Riff Distilling have unveiled The Confluence Project, a collaborative series featuring Tennessee and Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskeys. The inaugural release celebrates the distilleries’ divergent grain-to-glass philosophies while starting from an identical mash bill.
Named for the meeting of two rivers, the project reflects both distilleries’ locations on the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, respectively. Each producer has crafted their own interpretation of a shared wheat whiskey mash bill comprising 60% Red Turkey Wheat, 24% Appalachian Malted Wheat, 8% Dark Malted Wheat, and 8% Caramel Malted Wheat.
“When we first started this collaboration six years ago, it was rooted in friendship and mutual respect,” said New Riff Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “We wanted to create something new and exciting, so we agreed on a 100% wheat whiskey, which neither of us had done before. The beauty of The Confluence Project is that it highlights what makes each distillery unique – our techniques, our barrels, our philosophies – yet it all starts from the same grain.”
The partnership extends beyond professional collaboration. Chattanooga Whiskey Founding Distiller Grant McCracken credits Sprance with pivotal moments in his career.
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“Brian not only hired me for my very first job in craft brewing, but he also introduced me to the Chattanooga Whiskey team back in 2014,” McCracken stated.
Both distilling teams conducted a “distiller swap,” observing each other’s production methods. New Riff employs limestone-filtered water and slow-rise fermentations, while Chattanooga Whiskey utilizes its Tennessee High Malt style with specialty malts and custom-toasted barrels.
Chattanooga Whiskey will release 11 single barrels through its Experimental Single Barrel Series, each bottled at cask strength. The first two barrels launch October 30 at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery for $69.99.
Official tasting notes from the brand include carrot cake, candied walnut, honey butter, apricot jam, and toasted oak, with a long, malty-sweet finish.
The rolling release continues as each barrel sells out. Limited quantities will also be available through Seelbachs.com.
