Chattanooga Whiskey 91

I've enjoyed the 111 and found it excellent for its cost. Now, let's examine its younger sibling. I got this with the intention of finishing it in my Ten30 barrel, but the current flavor is enjoyable as is. For your information, I'm aging 600ml of 91 proof and 200ml of 111 proof in a barrel that previously held an Ardbeg Islay, which should result in an intriguing dram once aged. The aroma presents caramel, nougat, and a subtle ethanol note. The alcohol isn't overly prominent, making the scent quite pleasing. This spirit's aroma suggests a lack of extended wood aging, but it doesn't come across as underdeveloped bourbon. It smells sweet, a little spicy, and slightly sharp when I inhale from the tasting glass. On the palate, it's not sweet, nor is it excessively spicy or bitter. There's a good degree of barrel char, a sweet brown sugar base, some tart cherries, and a dry, oaky conclusion. The malted barley distinguishes it from young bourbon, yet it doesn't resemble scotch. It's something else entirely, a middle ground. What stands out most is its minimal corn presence. The sweet corn notes typical of bourbon are secondary here to dry oak, wood charcoal, tart cherries, and rye spices that emerge as dark baker's chocolate, almonds, and roasted walnuts. There's definitely some corn flavor, but to my palate, it's like undercooked corn still in its husk. It's palatable and decent, but not a sweet drink. This spirit pairs wonderfully with sweet vermouth. It's an excellent foundation for a Manhattan, particularly with a rich cocoa element like that provided by Cocchi Vermouth di Torino. It's really good in mixed drinks. Also performs very well in an Old Fashioned. It has a great synergy with smoke, too, if you're someone who likes to go all out. It won't surpass the deep cherry flavor and robust character of its Chattanooga 111 sibling, but it's quite accessible and respectable on its own. This is a fine dram and a sound selection for under $40.

I'm impressed this whiskey deviates significantly from typical Lincoln County Process bourbon/Tennessee whiskey. While Jack Daniels is essentially a bastardized bourbon, I do consume it, including their Select/Barrel Proof expressions. I'm uncertain if Chattanooga qualifies as a craft distillery now, but there are no craft notes evident here; however, the selection of small batches, literally 8-12 barrels, suggests craft production. The stated age of 2+ years implies youth, but the product in the bottle exhibits 4-6 year quality. The use of malted rye is not new, but I believe they execute it well. The increased proportion of malted barley nearly makes this a wheat bourbon in terms of its sweetness, smoothness, and approachability. This nose is truly delightful. It offers light caramel, vanilla, sweet cling peaches in light syrup (a byproduct of the corn sweetness typical of bourbon), a hint of dried apricot, even a touch of cherry flavor (reminiscent of cough drops), and light wood accents, along with some floral notes, milk chocolate, and honey. This nose closely resembles Old Rip Van Winkle 10, minus the cherry and chocolate. The palate presents the honey as thick molasses and a sweet corn note. The peaches are more pronounced than on the nose, with cherry rounding out the fruit. The wood serves as an underlying thread throughout, complemented by baking and rye spice that emerge late as it transitions to the finish. The finish is somewhat difficult to categorize. The wood and overall sweetness suggest a medium duration due to their persistence, but the spice, fruit, and any floral notes dissipate very quickly. I'll classify it as a short finish, but be aware that a sweet, woody note may linger as an aftertaste. The price is excellent for the quality of the nose and palate; the finish, however, could linger a bit longer rather than abruptly vanishing. I'm eager to try the 111 proof version to see if more flavors emerge or are simply intensified, and to determine if they have a potential five-star superstar bourbon.

The aroma is malty, sweet, subtly spicy, fruity, and slightly dusty. Honeyed grains are accompanied by notes of apple, peach, and cherry, followed by almonds, vanilla, and candy corn. Then, brown sugar and mild charred barrel spice, more typical of bourbon, appear with tannins closer to sweet tea. On the palate, it's sweet yet zesty, with a good balance of sweetness and warmth. Flavors of old-fashioned wild cherry sugar-coated hard candies, herbs, and pepper mingle with the sweet tea from the nose, enhanced by a hint of lemon or grapefruit citrus on a caramel rim. The texture is smooth and lightly coats the tongue. Legs form quickly but remain distinct and steady before breaking into a complex pattern of droplets. The medium-length finish is pleasant, slightly dry, echoing the palate flavors but with more oak and faint traces of leather, tobacco, and even milk chocolate. Nose: 9 Taste: 9 Body: 9 Finish: 9

My son found the 91 proof version in Florida after I enjoyed the 111 proof bottle I had at Thanksgiving. I'm back in Florida and this bottle has been open for a couple of months. Time to try it. Right away, I notice the resemblance to the 111, though it's more subdued. It has the same lovely mahogany color. The aroma is less intense, but the alcohol is still slightly apparent. A homemade cherry cobbler scent, amazing. I never detected cherries in the 111, but they are prominent tonight. I even get the pastry notes. Initially, it's tart cherries, which then develop into sweet cherries with cinnamon and caramel. This drink evolves throughout the evening, and curiously, the alcohol becomes more noticeable towards the end rather than at the beginning. The 91 proof is only $5 cheaper than the 111 proof. If both are available, I'll stick with the 111, which has become a regular at my bar.

Aroma - light and bright. apple, peaches, melted butter and brown sugar, vanilla. At 2 years old… the oak is absent (as expected). Taste - caramel and apples. Subtle baking spice.. butterscotch is also noticeable, and I'm detecting a slight herbal note (bay leaf comes to mind). Overall - For the $30-$35 price range, I find this to be fantastic. It also makes an excellent cocktail due to its fruity and sweet profile. The 91 and 111 versions are distinct in their flavor profiles, and I always make an effort to keep them on hand.. the issue is that these bottles are very easy to drink.

Nose - Abundant layers of pleasant sweetness. Butterscotch and mild caramel. Fresh apricot and honey on lightly toasted bread. Glazed lemon pound cake. Touches of sweet mint. Palate - Strong notes of apricot, butterscotch, and toasted oak. Warm barrel spices and vanilla. Not overly complex, but wonderfully delicious. Finish - Lingering toasted oak. Summary - An outstanding pour for an equally excellent price. Pay attention to their entire product line.