Chattanooga Whiskey has just unveiled the latest addition to its award-winning Experimental Single Batch Series: Batch 039, also known as Harvest Bourbon. This release, designed to celebrate the harvest season, brings a fresh twist to traditional bourbon by incorporating a blend of non-traditional grains, offering a unique flavor profile for enthusiasts to explore.
Image credit: Chattanooga Whiskey
Batch 039: Harvest Bourbon is a 7-grain high malt bourbon that goes beyond the typical bourbon grains of corn, rye, wheat, and barley. Instead, it includes a mix of raw and malted rice, malted oats, and malted triticale. Founding Distiller Grant McCracken explained, “While these grains provide the familiar bourbon-y flavors that we all know and love, our distillers wanted to explore a completely different side of bourbon – made from a completely new ‘palette’ of flavor grains.”
The mash bill for this bourbon is meticulously crafted: 60% Yellow Corn, 10% Malted Triticale, 9% Malted Rice, 9% Malted Oats, 7% Jasmine Rice, 3% Malted Barley, and 2% Malted Rye. This distinctive combination results in a bourbon that stands out from the crowd.
Aged for over five years, the bourbon was stored in three different types of oak barrels, each selected to enhance the unique characteristics of the grains. The barrels were seasoned, charred, and toasted to various lengths and levels. The cooperage included #3 char barrels seasoned for 18 months, #3 char barrels with toast profile “91”, and #1 char barrels with toast profile “91” also seasoned for 18 months. This careful selection process was aimed at complementing the floral and toasty flavors of raw and malted rice, the creamy notes from malted oats, and the sweet and spicy impact of malted triticale.
McCracken highlighted the “grain-to-glass” philosophy of Chattanooga Whiskey, stating, “This simply means that every step of the process builds off of the one that came before it. Thus, when it came to aging this experimental whiskey, we chose a variety of casks that would complement the floral and toasty flavors of raw and malted rice, the creamy notes of malted oats, and the sweet and spicy impact of malted triticale. The result is a one-of-a-kind alt-bourbon, built from the ground up.”
Bottled at a robust 115 proof (57.5% ABV), Batch 039: Harvest Bourbon promises a rich and diverse tasting experience. The producers describe its flavor notes as reminiscent of snickerdoodle cookies, fruit cake, oatmeal crème pies, horchata, and rice pudding.
Batch 039: Harvest Bourbon will be available starting in August 2024 at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery for $69.99 per 750ml bottle. It will also be available online for shipping to select states through Seelbachs.com. This limited release, with only six barrels produced, is expected to be a sought-after addition to any bourbon lover's collection.
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About Chattanooga
Chattanooga Whiskey is a relatively new player in the American whiskey scene but has quickly gained attention for its dedication to craftsmanship and innovation. Founded in 2011 by a group of friends with a passion for whiskey and a desire to revive the distilling tradition in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the distillery has since become a prominent name in the industry.
Chattanooga Whiskey is committed to producing high-quality, handcrafted whiskies that reflect the rich history and heritage of Tennessee whiskey-making. The distillery's flagship expression, Chattanooga Whiskey 91, is a straight bourbon whiskey crafted with a mash bill of yellow corn, malted rye, and caramel malted barley. This bourbon is aged in charred oak barrels, resulting in a smooth and flavorful whiskey with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice.
In addition to its core range of whiskies, Chattanooga Whiskey offers a variety of limited-edition releases and experimental batches, showcasing the distillery's creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of traditional whiskey-making. These expressions often feature unique cask finishes, innovative aging techniques, or collaborations with other producers, providing whiskey enthusiasts with new and exciting flavors to explore.
Chattanooga Whiskey is also known for its commitment to sustainability and community involvement. The distillery sources local ingredients whenever possible and implements environmentally friendly practices in its production process. Additionally, Chattanooga Whiskey is actively involved in supporting local charities and initiatives, giving back to the community that has embraced and supported its growth.
With its dedication to quality, innovation, and community engagement, Chattanooga Whiskey has earned a loyal following among whiskey enthusiasts and collectors. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, Chattanooga Whiskey offers a taste of Tennessee's rich whiskey heritage and a memorable drinking experience for whiskey lovers everywhere.
