Chattanooga Whiskey Founder's 14th Anniversary Blend

Anniversaries shouldn't just be about looking back. Tim Piersant, founder of Chattanooga Whiskey, clearly treats his annual milestone releases as a vivid, moving snapshot of where his distillery has been and exactly where it’s headed. This 14th Anniversary Blend weaves together liquid drawn from three colossal, custom-charred oak solera barrels. Each vessel holds a drastically different expression of its boundary-pushing ethos. The 1816 solera now houses a fiercely local take on their original founding recipe, boldly trading sourced liquid for slow-toasted malted rye. It beautifully grounds the entire whiskey. Meanwhile, the Infinity Barrel injects wild creativity with a remarkably soft wheat whiskey, forged entirely from Tennessee-grown grains.

Solera aging demands intense patience and a meticulous palate. Blending these distinct streams of whiskey requires finding that delicate, almost perilous balance where heavy malt notes don't completely obliterate the softer, nuanced wheat character. For 2026, the final composition leans heavily on their signature Barrel 91 bourbon mash bill, which ultimately makes up almost half the blend. It adds a robust, malty backbone. The remaining fractions bring a chaotic harmony of traditional high-corn sweetness and experimental toasted grains. Bottled at a sturdy 100 proof, this commemorative dram never feels harsh or overbearing. You get massive, unapologetic flavor here. It simply blankets the tongue with complex, evolving layers of dark fruit and decadent bakery shop richness.

Expect a highly dynamic sipping experience.

• 1816 Solera (31%): Anchors the profile with robust, slow-toasted malted rye spice.
• Barrel 91 Solera (45%): Contributes that iconic, rich Tennessee High Malt character.
• Infinity Solera (24%): Adds soft, wheat-driven complexity forged entirely from local grain.

This intricate marriage of recipes proves that Tennessee whiskey is actively evolving far beyond its traditional boundaries, giving enthusiasts a compelling reason to pour another glass.

Nose: Maraschino cherry pops instantly out of the glass, quickly chased by a dusting of spiced walnut and warm bakery aromas. It feels surprisingly dense and inviting.

Palate: The mouthfeel carries substantial weight, washing over the palate with intense ripples of honey graham cracker and rich malt. A sudden rush of cream cheese frosting sweetness beautifully balances the underlying rye spice.

Finish: Long and immensely satisfying. Dark fruit notes linger on the back of the tongue while a gentle, toasty warmth slowly fades into the distance.

Pair this robust malt blend with a slice of rich carrot cake. The creamy frosting perfectly echoes the whiskey's decadent, sweet undertones. For a savory alternative, try thick slices of smoked beef brisket. The heavily charred bark beautifully complements the intense toasted grains hiding within the spirit.