Review: Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Fall 2019 Vintage

Earlier this fall, Chattanooga Whiskey rolled out its second annual bottled in bond release for 2023. And like the spring release from this year, this latest expression utilizes specialty toasting to complement the distillery’s unique grain bills. The particulars are below.

As with previous vintages, Fall 2019 was exclusively produced at Chattanooga Whiskey’s Riverfront Distillery, and was crafted from a variety of unique high-malt bourbon mash bills – all made within the same distilling season – and each one composed of at least 25% specialty malted grains.

The 6th vintage since 2021, the Fall 2019 blend features three unique mash bills, each one aged in a portion of custom-toasted barrels, which were developed in collaboration with their cooper (Independent Stave Company) to match the flavor characteristics of the underlying recipes. A light, low temperature toast profile was designed to complement their coveted “Wheated” recipe, while a much longer, hotter toast profile was crafted to pair with their chocolate-lover “Roasted” recipe. These two toast profiles joined Chattanooga Whiskey’s signature “Barrel 91” custom toast profile, which is toasted for an extended period of time through a broad range of temperatures.

Let’s dig in.

The aroma is initially big and toasty, more so even than the well-roasted spring release and a bit punchier with its chocolate and barrel char notes. With some time to breathe, however, the roasted quality dissipates, replaced by welcome high tones of grilled peach and dried apricot, all complemented by Hershey’s milk chocolate and a bit of sweet woodsmoke.  The palate is rich and well-spiced with an early hit of cola and ginger that lingers across the sip. There are subtle herbal undertones on the midpalate which is otherwise dominated by chocolate chip cookies and candied cherry. The finish is generous and warming with peppermint bark and clove chewing gum. It’s a bit less balanced than the spring release, but still another engaging and well-executed bottled in bond from the crew at Chattanooga Whiskey.

100 proof.

A- / $53 / chattanoogawhiskey.com

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