Chattanooga Whiskey has just rolled out its latest creation, the Founder's 13th Anniversary Blend, marking 13 years of making whiskey in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This milestone release is a big deal for the distillery, which has been crafting spirits in the Scenic City since it fought to bring whiskey production back in 2011. The Founder's 13th Anniversary Blend isn’t just another bottle on the shelf—it’s a celebration of where the company started, where it stands today, and where it’s headed next.
This special whiskey is put together every year by Tim Piersant, the guy who started it all. He personally crafts each anniversary blend to honor the distillery’s birthday, and this year’s version keeps that tradition alive. What makes it unique is how it’s made—using a solera-style process that pulls whiskey from three distinct charred oak barrels housed in the distillery’s Riverfront location. These barrels aren’t just containers; they’re a storytelling trio, each one tied to a piece of Chattanooga Whiskey’s journey.
The blend itself comes from whiskeys distilled in two places: Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Lawrenceburg, Indiana. By mixing these together, the team creates a balance of old-school recipes and fresh, creative twists. It’s a nod to the past, present, and future of the distillery, all in one sip. With a mash bill of 58% SB091, 23% 1816 RES, and 19% INFINITY, this blend brings a little bit of everything to the table.
Breaking Down the Details of the 13th Anniversary Blend
For those who like the nitty-gritty, here’s what goes into the Founder's 13th Anniversary Blend. It’s aged for over two years in 53-gallon toasted and charred oak barrels, then finished in those three special solera barrels. Bottled at 100 proof (that’s 50% alcohol by volume), it’s got some kick but stays smooth. The batch size is small—between 9 and 11 barrels—making it a limited release that whiskey fans will want to grab fast.
So, what does it taste like? Picture this: red rope licorice, grilled peaches, brown sugar, cherry cola, and toasted marshmallow all mingling together. It’s a flavor mix that’s sweet, fruity, and a little smoky, offering something familiar yet totally new. As a blend of straight whiskeys, it’s got depth and character that reflect the care put into every step of the process.
The Solera Barrels: A Peek Into Past, Present, and Future
The magic happens in the Solera Room at Chattanooga Whiskey’s Riverfront Distillery. This isn’t your average barrel storage spot—it’s home to three one-of-a-kind charred oak barrels that use a traditional solera blending method. If you’re not familiar with solera, it’s a way of mixing older and newer whiskeys over time, so each batch keeps a little of what came before while adding something fresh. It’s like a family recipe that evolves but never forgets its roots.
Here’s how it works: after the team bottles each year’s Founder’s Blend, they don’t just leave the barrels empty. They refill them with newly matured whiskey, letting it sit and blend until the next anniversary rolls around. Each of the three barrels plays a role in the story:
- The Past (1816 RES): This barrel holds the original recipe that kicked things off back in 2012. Known as “1816,” it’s a high-rye bourbon that helped change Tennessee’s outdated prohibition laws. It makes up 23% of the blend and brings a classic, woody vibe with a hint of spice.
- The Present (SB091): This is the big player at 58% of the mix. It’s Chattanooga’s signature Tennessee High Malt recipe, born from the 91st barrel made at their Experimental Distillery. Packed with roasted and toasted malts, it adds richness and a bold, malty backbone to the blend.
- The Future (INFINITY): Making up 19%, this barrel is all about what’s next. It’s filled with a changing lineup of malt and rye malt whiskeys from both the Experimental and Riverfront distilleries. Every year, new mash bills—like a cherrywood-smoked rye malt—get added, keeping it exciting and unpredictable.
Together, these barrels create a whiskey that’s layered and full of personality, showing off the range of styles Chattanooga Whiskey can pull off.
How to Get Your Hands on It
If you’re in Chattanooga, mark your calendar for Friday, April 11th. That’s when the Founder's 13th Anniversary Blend hits the shelves at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery. It’ll set you back $59.99 for a 750ml bottle, which is a solid deal for a limited-run whiskey with this much thought behind it. Can’t make it in person? No worries—limited quantities will pop up online at Seelbachs.com in the weeks after the launch, so keep an eye out.
Why This Release Matters
Chattanooga Whiskey isn’t just about making good drinks; it’s about a bigger story. Back in 2011, Tim Piersant and his team took on Tennessee’s old laws to bring distilling back to Chattanooga after more than a century. They won that fight, and since then, they’ve built a reputation for doing things their own way. The Experimental Distillery, opened in 2015, is a hub for trying new ideas, while the Riverfront Distillery churns out their core lineup, like the popular Barrel 91 and Cask 111.
The Founder’s Anniversary Blend is a chance to see that journey in action. It’s a yearly snapshot of where the distillery’s been and where it’s going, all wrapped up in a bottle you can enjoy. With only 9 to 11 barrels produced, it’s a small batch that feels personal—like a gift from the team to the people who’ve supported them for 13 years.
Final Thoughts
The Founder's 13th Anniversary Blend is more than just a whiskey; it’s a tribute to 13 years of hard work, creativity, and a little bit of rebellion. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting into Chattanooga Whiskey, this release is worth checking out. From its solera-blended roots to its standout flavors—like cherry cola and toasted marshmallow—it’s a bottle that tells a story with every pour. Grab one while you can, because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. Here’s to 13 years, and plenty more to come!
