Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.
Chattanooga Whiskey, in the business of Tennessee whiskey since 2011, initially had to overcome prohibition-type laws to win the right to distill whiskey in Chattanooga for the first time in 100 years. Led by Founder Tim Piersant, Chattanooga Whiskey today has two distilleries under its label, including the Experimental Distillery, which is said to be “the only standalone experimental distillery in the country.”
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The other distillery, The Riverfront Distillery, is the production home to Chattanooga Whiskey’s signature expressions, Chattanooga Whiskey 91, Cask 111, and 99 Rye, as well as their Bottled in Bond Vintage Series and Barrel Finishing Series.
Of particular note is also the distillery’s focus on a one-of-a-kind Tennessee High Malt style.
What’s in the bottle
The whiskey being reviewed here, Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend, is a complex expression blending what’s described as “Chattanooga Whiskey’s past, present, and future.” Piersant each year for the Founder’s Release goes into the Riverfront Distillery’s one-of-a-kind Solera Room to evaluate whiskeys held in the room’s three custom charred oak solera barrels – each of which contains whiskeys of vastly different styles and wide-ranging origin stories.
He then crafts the blend he feels is the best of the moment from them. After each year’s blend is complete, the distilling team refills each tank with newly mature barrels, which they will quietly marry until the following year.
For the 12th Anniversary, the following is in the mix:
Trending Stories
- 1816 (12%): Representing the company’s “Past,” 1816 is the smallest of the company’s three solera barrels and holds its original founding recipe, initially launched in 2012 and sourced from Indiana. 1816 was Chattanooga’s first whiskey since Prohibition. It is a traditional high rye bourbon between four and six years old.
- Barrel 91 (60%): Signifying the company’s “Present,” the largest of the three solera barrels is filled with Chattanooga Whiskey’s signature Tennessee High Malt recipe: “Barrel 91.” Born from their Experimental Distillery’s 91st barrel, this recipe was developed over two years of experimentation and is built on three specialty roasted and toasted malted grains.
- Infinity Barrel (28%): Symbolizing the company’s “Future,” the Infinity Solera barrel is filled with a blend of malt and rye malt whiskeys from their Experimental and Riverfront Distilleries. This year’s blend welcomes six new mash bills to the barrel, including the subtle addition of a cherrywood-smoked “Danko” rye malt whiskey. It is between three and seven years old.
“Our annual Founder’s release began as a passion project for myself and our amazing team of talented distillers to commemorate and reflect on where we started, where we are now, and where we are going,” said Piersant when this whiskey was released. “The 12th Anniversary Blend leans most heavily on our solid foundation of Barrel 91 (the present), with a moderately heavy influence of Infinity (the future), and a lighter influence of 1816 (the past). I believe these percentages appropriately represent how we are inspired by our past, present, and future.”
Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend is bottled at 100-proof and non-chill filtered. It is priced at $59.99.
Latest News