Olivia Taylor
Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Bourbon Vintage Series: Fall 2019 Review
Nose
Caramel chews | Graham cracker | Toasted marshmallow | Cap’n Crunch cereal
Palate
Caramel | Oatmeal cookie | Dried fruits | Cocoa powder | Toasted barrel char
Finish
Pronounced dry leather | Pop of raspberry | Unsweetened chocolate | Malt grain | Barrel char | Root beer
Overall
Leave it to Chattanooga Whiskey to make their already unique Bottled in Bond series even more unique.
Chattanooga Whiskey continues their Vintage Series which is easily one of the most interesting bottled in bond releases on the market. Typically utilizing multiple different high-malt mashbills, which also includes the company’s usage of many different types of malted grains, Chattanooga adds another variable to the mix in this year’s vintage: toasted barrel finishes. Vintage Series: Fall 2019 features three unique mashbills, with a portion of each fully aged in toasted barrels and then blended with the non-toasted ones. Percentages of each mashbill used were low with 4 out of 6 at 9%, and the largest at 46% which was also toasted. The result is a whiskey that tastes surprisingly similar to previous batches at least at its baseline, with spikes of unique flavors popping at different times.
It all starts with the nose, which continues the brand’s heavy caramel, graham cracker, and Cap’n Crunch cereal base scents, with a larger emphasis on graham cracker and toasted marshmallow this time out. Likewise, the palate carries over the caramel and oatmeal cookie often found in previous vintages, but a more pronounced dried fruit and cocoa powder note is now evident. The finish is where the whiskey deviates the most, with strong dried leather, unsweetened chocolate, and most shockingly, a root beer note in the mix.
Vintage Series: Fall 2019 is one of the more unique Chattanooga whiskeys I’ve had (excluding their Experimental line). The toasted finish is present throughout, but nowhere near as assertive as many toasted barrel finish bourbons on the market. For fans of Chattanooga Whiskey Co., this is an enjoyable diversion from their norm, but for those unfamiliar with the company’s whiskeys, I still can’t recommend their 111 Cask Bourbon enough as the best starting point to explore this brand.
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Chattanooga Whiskey Co.
Distillery: Chattanooga Riverfront Distillery
Release Date: September 2023
Proof: 100
Age: 4 Years
Mashbill: Blend of six bourbon mashbills all distilled during Fall 2019:
-46% SB091+Toast: Yellow Corn, Malted Rye, Caramel Malted Barley, Honey Malted Barley
-18% SB091: Yellow Corn, Malted Rye, Caramel Malted Barley, Honey Malted Barley
-9% B005+Toast: Yellow Corn, Malted Wheat, Caramel Malted Wheat, Oak Smoked Malted Wheat
-9% B005: Yellow Corn, Malted Wheat, Caramel Malted Wheat, Oak Smoked Malted Wheat
-9% SB055+Toast: Yellow Corn, Malted Rye, Double Roasted Caramel Malted Barley, Pale Chocolate Malted Barley
-9% SB055: Yellow Corn, Malted Rye, Double Roasted Caramel Malted Barley, Pale Chocolate Malted Barley
Color: Deep Copper
MSRP: $53 / 750mL (2023)
Ages: 80% 9% 11%).
I am excited to try this new release from Chattanooga Whiskey. Their Vintage series always offers something unique and this Fall 2019 edition with the addition of toasted barrel finishes is sure to be a standout. I can’t wait to taste the combination of caramel, oatmeal cookie, and dried fruits on the palate and experience the pronounced dry leather finish. Highly recommend giving this one a try!”
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The Fall 2019 Vintage Series from Chattanooga Whiskey sounds like a unique and exciting release. I’m interested to try the combination of toasted barrel finishes with their high-malt mashbills to see how it adds to the complexity of the overall flavor profile. Chattanooga Whiskey always seems to push the boundaries and continue to surprise with their releases.
“The toasted barrel finishes in Chattanooga Whiskey’s Fall 2019 vintage series adds another layer of complexity to an already unique and interesting bottled in bond release. Their usage of multiple mashbills and types of malted grains make this a must-try for any whiskey enthusiast.”