Chattanooga Whiskey Maple Syrup Cask Finish Review

Chattanooga Whiskey has unveiled the seventh release in its Barrel Finishing Series, featuring a unique Michigan maple syrup cask finish that transforms Tennessee High Malt bourbon into something distinctly autumnal.

The Tennessee distillery selected late harvest maple syrup casks from Michigan for this limited release. These casks previously held old growth, late harvest syrup known for its “kettle-cooked complexity”. The finishing process adds what the distillery describes as “layered notes of maple candy, toasted grain, and soft oak” to the whiskey’s profile.

“Since launching our Finishing Series in 2021, our aim has been simple: elevate both the whiskey and the finishing cask. To do that, we get precise. Instead of relying on a single mash bill, we blend mash bills to match the finishing cask’s character,” said Grant McCracken, Founding Distiller at Chattanooga Whiskey. “And instead of sourcing finishing barrels broadly, we select barrels from specific regions – each with its own terroir.”

The distilling team blended two bourbon mash bills for this release. The first, Barrel 91, features caramel and honey malts. The second, Barrel 76, includes two types of aromatic malt that undergo slow-toasting to develop deeper flavors. “Together, these profiles amplify the finishing cask’s character – enhancing its flavor without overshadowing it,” said McCracken.