Chattanooga Whiskey 99 Rye

I enjoy rye in all its forms, whether sipped or in cocktails. I also appreciate the expressions I've had from this distillery, so acquiring a bottle of their rye was an easy decision. I tasted it neat from a copita, side-by-side with my usual Wild Turkey 101 Rye. The color difference is immediately apparent. The C99 is a shade darker than the WT101. On the nose, the WT is rich with subtle spice notes, caramel, vanilla, and a hint of dill. The C99 offers richer wood and barrel notes, butterscotch, dark rye bread, and caramelized sugar. The WT is smooth and dry on the palate, delivering a dry ginger, vanilla, rye toast opening that's much gentler than its 101 proof might indicate. The mid-palate is rich, and the finish is quite pleasant for a budget rye. There's a reason it's a staple at my bar for both cocktails and sipping neat, surpassing competitors like Rittenhouse, Old Overholt, and Old Forester. The C99 provides a similarly smooth entry, lacking any harshness from young whiskey. The flavor develops from a creamy beginning to a demisec mid-palate, topped with stewed cherries and very few of the vegetal notes found in some ryes. The C99 has a quicker finish than the WT and fades quite cleanly. This is an excellent rye for someone who typically drinks bourbon. It's also a great introduction to rye. In a Manhattan, it creates a rich, silky rye that pairs wonderfully with Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino and a few dashes (3) of Angostura bitters. This distillery's 99 Rye is simply a very good rye. This won't replace the WT101 in my cabinet. WT101 rye costs around $24 for a 750ml, while this is about $38. It's not 50% better for the price, but it was certainly worth purchasing an enjoyable bottle. I might even buy it again. It's a nice change of pace.

Bottle Price: $40; Batch Number: 20H03R; Age: Over 3.5 years; Bottle opened 24 hours prior, 2/3 full; Tasted neat in a Glencairn, rested 10 mins. The aroma shows some sweet vanilla caramel with cola notes (like vanilla cherry coke with subtle nutty hints if you search deeply) and only a slight amount of heat (not overwhelming, somewhat tame for 99 proof). The mouthfeel is slightly oily, providing a light viscous coating. The palate echoes the aroma, starting with sweet vanilla, then cherry cola notes emerge, with a touch of sweet orange zest. Rye spice and a bit of noticeable heat appear before continuing into the finish. The medium-length finish remains sweet with spice flowing through, and then progressively a malty note introduces itself. As the sweeter notes fade and the spice subsides, the malty notes become more prominent, with a hint of cocoa bitterness lurking, which is what eventually lingers to conclude the experience. Overall, this rye stands out. Notes of mint, menthol, or clove often found in other ryes are not really apparent (or only faintly) here; instead, it leans more towards the sweeter side with unique malty characteristics not commonly seen. Very intriguing, and I give it a thumbs up for the experience and value it offers. Recommended if you're seeking something unconventional.

I regret not naming my child after the head distiller at Chattanooga, the inspiration for my future online identities. For a craft spirit at this price point, showing up is half the struggle. My recent experiences with rye have led me to finish this bottle faster than any other. The aroma is dominated by malt. While not mistaken for scotch, it shares a distant relation. The underlying flavor of dark berries, like blackberry and blueberry covered in chocolate, is enjoyable from start to finish. However, the dominant taste is a cereal-like rye spice, as expected. The bottle itself is visually appealing with an attractive, embossed, and shiny label. At a solid 99 proof, its enjoyable and habit-forming qualities make it a worthwhile purchase. If you miss out, it's not the end of the world, and we can still maintain our friendship. 5.0 - Acquire as much as you can find immediately. 4.0 - Essential to purchase at least one bottle in your lifetime. 3.0 - A good option, definitely worth sampling at a bar or from a friend. 2.0 - I didn't care for it, but you might. 1.0 - You might possess the same taste as my dog, who cleans himself intimately.

Disclaimer - this is my third and final review of this whiskey. My initial rating was 4.25, followed by a 3.0… Final rating 3.25 Aroma - apples, honey, citrus, with a kick of heavy rye bread at the end. Slight baking spices, but I'm stretching to find them. Occasionally, I detect a peculiar gummy candy note. Taste - underwhelming. Candied fruits, black licorice, and mint. The mouthfeel is quite thin. The finish is short and features a black licorice note, with a very malt-forward character. The heat is quite noticeable as well. Lacks complexity. Overall - I absolutely love Chattanooga, but this offering at the $50-$60 price point is a definite pass for me. It drinks more like a $30-$40 bottle. While I haven't done a side-by-side comparison, OF Rye, Smooth Ambler Contradiction Rye, High West Double Rye, and Rittenhouse Rye would likely surpass this and are priced at $35 or less. If you're considering bottles in the $50-$60 range… Rare Breed Rye, Stellum Rye, and Pikesville 6 Year are far superior.

Nose: Initially, this seems straightforward and sweet, but it reveals more with time. Prominent sweet vanilla, red cherry, and creme brulee are upfront. Deeper notes include smoky barrel char, clove, lemon zest, golden raisins, prune, and lemongrass. Palate: It's generally darker than the nose suggests, with a medium viscosity. Brown sugar, dark chocolate, and dry vanilla gradually transition to a mild malty rye spice with sweet, spicy chili and more smoky barrel char. Finish: It's warm but rather brief. Dark chocolate, vanilla, and barrel char are present. Summary: This distillery continues to impress with unique and affordable offerings. Their expertise in malting is consistently evident and for good reason. They have established a distinct market presence that's rare nowadays. I strongly encourage everyone to explore their impressive range of experimental releases.

I'm a big fan of Chattanooga and rarely see these in Texas. I had the opportunity to try this when I was traveling in Florida and felt compelled to. The aroma is truly exceptional. I could have smelled it repeatedly. It has hints of pine, spice, sweetness, and a touch of pepper. Its spiciness and flavor are exciting and build anticipation for the taste. The palate continues with spicy and peppery notes. A sweet caramel cuts through, but the rye baking spices truly stand out. The finish lasts an incredibly long time. The spicy aroma maintains its presence. The peppery flavor comes full circle, making the finish the most impressive aspect. I'm really enjoying this rye so far; it's excellent. I also tried it in an Old Fashioned, and it was delicious. Some friends came over, and they all wanted more of it in an Old Fashioned. All in all, I absolutely recommend this if you enjoy ryes.