Chattanooga Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof 111

Disclosure: the sample for this review was provided at no cost. Our tasting notes and score are our own.

Chattanooga Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof

A little background

This expression of Chattanooga Whiskey came out of the barrel and into the bottle at 111 proof. Chattanooga Whiskey is known for their Tennessee High Malt recipe, which includes a four grain mash bill of yellow corn, malted rye, caramel malted barley, and honey malted barley. This gives this whiskey a different and enjoyable flavor. Their unique fermentation process of using small batches and extending the fermentation for 7 days allows this whiskey to have bold flavors. Additionally, Chattanooga Whiskey has omitted the traditional filtration process for their 111 proof allowing the bourbon to retain the complexity of flavors. Their straight bourbon whiskey is aged for at least two years. It is currently only distributed in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina; however, you can order it online and have it shipped to your door. The retail for this whiskey is $45.
 

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn)

Color

Caramel
 

Nose

The nose is dynamic and continues to change the longer it sits in the glass. A first the nose heavy vanilla, oak, and a bit of baking spices. The longer the bourbon sat in my glass, the more the sweeter notes started coming out. I had hints of maple syrup, sweet malt, and what smelled exactly like my grandma’s french toast.

Palate

On the first sip, a smooth oily spice coated my entire mouth. The spice was quickly subsided and replaced with notes of toasted walnuts, oak, and sweet malts. I decided to add a few drops of water to the glass to see if taming the spice on the front end would allow more flavors to come through. The drops of water really allowed the sweeter side of this bourbon to come through. It brought out notes of sweet spice and more maple syrup than I was able to taste without the water.

Finish

This bourbon had a medium finish that left my palate coated with the spice residue that soon turned into a nutty aftertaste.

In conclusion

The guys at Chattanooga Whiskey are doing something different than what has been done before and they are doing it well. This is a bourbon that you will likely love or hate. With their unique mash bill and fermentation process they were able to bring out flavors I have been longing to find in a bourbon. Sipping this bourbon reminded me a lot of sitting next to a campfire and the aromas you got from those fall nights. This bourbon is still young but it can definitely hold its own in flavor and complexity.

Note: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Chattanooga Whiskey. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review this wonderful whiskey! 
 

Chattanooga Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof 111

111 Proof

8.4
Very Good
  • Nose 8.0
  • Palate 8.4
  • Finish 8.2
  • Complexity 8.2
  • Value 9.0

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Please enjoy responsibly. Never drink and drive.

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Courtney Stiers

Courtney found her passion for bourbon while sampling her way through her husband’s collection. She quickly learned what she liked and was determined to try as many different bourbons as she can. Courtney loves visiting the distilleries and learning the history behind the brands. Besides collecting and drinking bourbon she also enjoys capturing the beauty of the bourbon culture through her photography. You can follow her bourbon journey on Instagram @picsandpours