BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Chattanooga Whiskey
- MASH BILL: A solera blend of three unique mash bills from Chattanooga and MGPI.
- AGE: At least two years
- YEAR: 2024
- PROOF: 100 (50% ABV)
- MSRP: $59,99
- BUY ONLINE: Luekens Wine & Spirits
STEVE’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: Any whiskey fan.
WORTH THE PRICE: Yes
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle for sure.
OVERALL: I’ve always been intrigued by solera aging and the effort invested in it. Instead of merely blending barrels of unique ages to create a single whiskey, whiskies of varying ages are blended fractionally and aged over time–then blended and aged over and over–to create a unique result with each final blend. I’ve tasted some that were meh, some that were OK and some that were dandy. This fully deserves a dandy badge.
On the nose comes baking spice, oak, dried and spring flowers, fruit, Juicy Fruit, vanilla, brown sugar cereal and campfire. On the palate, buttered cinnamon toast, roasted agave, oak, milk chocolate, dried date, spiced cherry cordial, grilled pineapple, floral and toasted oak. It’s a basket of fruits with a wood accent.
The texture is velvety soft and slightly drying, an elegant blend that would go well with any course of a meal or just on its own and served neat. The finish is light, lingering and warm. The whole left me reaching for another splash before heading off to bed. Get a bottle. You will not be disappointed.
BRAND NOTES
12 YEARS OF CHATTANOOGA WHISKEY
Founder’s Anniversary Blend is a marriage of whiskeys to commemorate our 12th anniversary. Formulated each year by our founder, this solera-style expression is blended from 3 one-of-a-kind charred oak solera barrels. Distilled in Chattanooga, Tenn. and Lawrenceburg, Ind., this combination of traditional and innovative recipes showcases the dynamic balance between multiple styles and sources of whiskey–each one symbolic of our past, present and future.
ABOUT THE SOLERA ROOM
Located within our Riverfront Distillery, our Solera Room enshrines three unique whiskey styles–all of which utilize our version of the time-honored solera blending process. Each year to commemorate our anniversary, our Founder Tim Piersant evaluates the whiskey within each barrel, trialing various blends to highlight the best of each recipe. After each year’s blend is complete, the distilling team refills each tank with newly mature barrels, where they will quietly marry until the following year.
Tasting Notes: Blackberry cobbler, candied ginger, cream soda, red velvet cake, oatmeal raisin cookie.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.
