Chattanooga Whiskey Barrel Finishing Series: Silver Oak Cabernet Cask Finished

A gift from my spouse, who is amazing, this bottle was brought back from a work trip to Nashville. It arrived two months ago while I was home with the kids. The other bottle was a Dickel Bottled-in-Bond (Fall 2008; 13 Year), which was incredible. We finished that one in about a month, with me drinking the vast majority of it. I'm a big fan of the Dickel BiB; I even bought a second bottle locally after returning from Sommers Point, Jersey, and now I wish I'd bought more before leaving. We'll be back in August for my spouse's birthday, and I may clear the shelf then, as the restaurant she wants is near the store. I request Chattanooga whenever my spouse travels in the South or Midwest, as it's not commonly found elsewhere. My spouse visited Georgia last year and bought the Chattanooga Founder's 10th Anniversary and the Chattanooga Islay-finished, at my request. The Islay-finished Chattanooga is fantastic, so I was eager to try this new finished release. My spouse also brought back a second bottle of the Islay-finished, which I'm saving for a special moment. The Chattanooga Islay received a 4.5. Many of you who follow me have also enjoyed it. It dramatically transformed from its initial state, tasting like neither bourbon nor Islay scotch, but rather its own unique, enjoyable entity. This version differs, being a blend of five single malt mash bills with various malted barley types, aged over four years, including 18 months in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon casks. This is vastly different from the Islay-finished dram, but equally impressive. It's exceptionally good right from the first pour. Though the current rating here is low with few reviews, I'm adjusting my score to compensate. My personal rating is 4.25, slightly below the Islay-finished due to my personal preferences. I'll ultimately give it a 4.5, and it may prove worthy over time. The Chattanooga team clearly knows their craft, and I wish their products were more accessible to me. This is the most wine-like spirit I've ever experienced. The aroma is full of berries, primarily strawberry and raspberry. On the palate, it borders on wine, with only a subtle hint of oak and vanilla distinguishing it as an American whiskey, despite its single malt status. It's also creamy, reminiscent of Green Spot's Chateau Montelena with its concentrated, caramelized fruitiness. The low review count here suggests limited availability or a lack of immediate interest. Perhaps the current average rating is making people hesitate, but for $60, it's absolutely worth it, and I'm tempted to have another glass. My only regret is not asking for two bottles of this one, like I did with the Islay-finished. Luggage space may have been a concern then. Honestly, I'm tempted to drive down and stock up. I'm starting to question if I'm hoarding too much, but then I taste something like this and realize I can't stop exploring the unique expressions available. I must continue my quest. I can't stop, won't stop. As long as the quality remains this high, I'll keep the whiskey coming.

This wasn't what I expected. We had two similar finishes and enjoyed them, so I bought this bottle. Three of us tried it, and two of us poured it out.

Exactly as described... fruit-forward with a smoky oak finish.