06/25/2025
Have you ever tried Solera-barreled bourbon? The Spanish ๐ช๐ธ technique popularized for crafting Sherry๐ท, has been adopted by Chattanooga Whiskey to produce some of the tastiest bourbons of the last few years! ๐๐ฅ
Although, the idiosyncrasies don't even start there! Before even beginning distillation, Chattanooga uses three special malts for their whiskey,which provide notes akin to a confectioners shop: slow-toasted rye malt, roasted caramel malt, and honey malt. Chattanooga ages their whiskeys for at least 2 years in virgin oak casks. However, while the first half of theseย barrels are charred to a #4 specification, the other half are slow-toasted first, which imparts a beautiful honey-toast๐ฏ๐ profile to the whiskey, followed by a mellower #3 char.
Following the initial aging process, the distillers begin filling up the newest whiskey into a 4,000-gallon charred oak 'Solera' barrel, which the team adapts to their needs.
Never heard of the Solera method? In essence, it's a tiered system of barrels where older liquid is continuously blended with younger liquid as they age in conjunction with one another. It helps to create a consistently complex flavor profile, and although it requires a lot of direct attention to achieve, it's definitely worth it!
Chattanooga's 'magnificent vessel,' as they refer to their 4,000 gallon monstrosity, never runs empty. The barrel is continuously topped off with 8-12 barrels of fresh juice after each small batch bottling, resulting in a fruit-forward, complex flavor profile, similar to the same effect a fine sherry can produce.
If you want to drink a sub-$50 bottle that's an unrivaled experience to anything else in the whiskey aisle, look to Chattanooga. Currently , e supply their standard four grain 91-proof bourbon, unfiltered111-proof single batch bourbon, and their scrumptious 99-proof rye, which all strike a similar chord, but offer their own unique rifts.
We are so happy that Chattanooga Whiskey is now available in New York State๐ฝ๐ฆฌ, and we hope that you all pick up a bottle and support this up-and-coming distillery!
