Just when you think you have seen it all, Chattanooga Whiskey goes ahead and unveils the latest addition to its Experimental Single Batch Series: Batch 041, a persimmon-infused bourbon liqueur. This is a small-batch release which represents a bit of an odd but creative departure from typical fall flavors, such as pumpkin spice.
Image credit: Chattanooga Whiskey
“For this release, our team decided to ‘opt out’ of pumpkin spice and focus on one of the more underrated fall and winter fruits: persimmons. This fruit has one of the most unique flavor profiles of any tree fruit – and naturally complements our high malt style of bourbon.” ~ Grant McCracken, Chattanooga Whiskey’s Founding Distiller
Crafting the Liquid
Batch 041 is made using 100% pot-distilled bourbon, it is a blend from five different bourbon mash bills. The recipes of these five mash bills contain quite a few different grains, including yellow corn, blue corn, pale malted barley, smoked malted barley, and aromatic malted barley. Then each bourbon was aged for at least three years in toasted and charred oak barrels.
Image credit: Chattanooga Whiskey
After the aging process, over 140 pounds of dried persimmons were infused into the bourbon, along with dates, fenugreek seeds, gentian, vanilla, cinnamon, orange peel, cardamom, and cane sugar. This lovely eight-ingredient infusion was carefully selected to enhance the bourbon’s natural character and provide a unique flavor profile.
A Flavor Profile That Stands Out
Persimmons, which are actually quite hard to grow, have a distinctive flavor. Some like to describe their flavor as a mix of mango, apricot, caramel, and pumpkin. The persimmons add something rich and fruity that goes very well with the smoky and toasty notes of the bourbon. The final liquid has notes of maple syrup, dried apricot, cinnamon toast, citrus zest, and even sweet potato pie.
A Limited-Edition Treat
This persimmon infused liquid was crafted from only five barrels of bourbon which makes it a truly limited-edition release. Each 750ml bottle is priced at $54.99 and is bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% alcohol by volume). The liqueur is available exclusively at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery and select online retailers like Seelbachs.com, with shipping to a limited number of states.
The Experimental Series: A Tradition of Innovation
Batch 041 is part of Chattanooga Whiskey’s award-winning Experimental Single Batch Series, which has rightfully earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of craft whiskey. Since it was founded in 2011, Chattanooga Whiskey has long been a pioneer in the whiskey industry, fighting to reestablish distilling rights in Chattanooga after the prohibition. We can easily see and understand their innovation in the creation of unique expressions like this Persimmon-Infused Bourbon Liqueur.
About Chattanooga Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey is an independently owned and operated distillery, known for crafting high-quality, complex, and authentic whiskey. Their Tennessee High Malt style has become a staple of the brand, featured in many of their popular products.
In 2017, the company expanded and opened up the Riverfront Distillery, which now produces their core range as well as their experimental batches. Chattanooga Whiskey has earned awards such as the Icons of Whisky – Craft Producer of the Year (both America and Global) at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards.
