Chattanooga Whiskey Cask 111

Here’s the deal...I wanna like it and it’s slowly growing on me but some things I can’t get past. One of which is the nose. First time I took a sniff I went back in time 35 years to cherry Robitussin cough syrup smell. That isn’t a good thing because I don’t want my bourbon to smell like medicine ... just BE my medicine hahaha! Anyway, very full texture...leathery, orange peel, oily, then the Robitussin again on the back! What I do like is how long it lingers and burns. The finish is nice, full, and good.

Great bourbon. Definitely a sipper. We caught a hint of cinnamon, am thinking that's where the expert's note of anise and cherry are matching. Not that much in the way of heat, surprisingly. Finishes very clean and nice.

Until I purchased this bottle I'd never heard of this whiskey. I was at a very good liquor store in Tampa that offers up tastes of interesting bottles. It was a quick decision to add it to my shopping cart. Tasted neat from a glencairn. The whiskey was rested for several minutes before tasting. This unique distillate is a straight bourbon whiskey, aged 2 years and then added to a solera in a manner similar to the technique used for rum. Its made with four grains, the bulk of which are malted. Its 75% corn and the remainder is malted rye, caramel malted barley & honey malted barley. It's bottled at cask strength 111 proof. The bouquet is strong on black cherries, raisins and touches of stone fruits like plum, peach and apricot. There's almost no hot ethanol notes in the way, which is remarkable for a young whiskey. The color is a rich, polished mahogany. The distiller's description says this is barrelled in two kinds of barrels; a #4 char and a toasted #3 char. The dark color at such a young age speaks of an intense interaction with wood. A swirl brings thick sheeting with multiple slow tears. I expect noteable mouthfeel. Tasted this is thick, oily, sweet, and fruity up front. It transitions to fresh wood, slight bitter oak, and traces of smoky char. There is a nice ginger and black pepper spice towards the back of the flavor profile that leaves a tingle and warms the throat. Wow, I'm really impressed! This is satisfyingly complex, invitingly sweet, dry and clean. It's a fine bourbon for scotch drinkers with some of the latter's malt body and the former's corn sweetness. On paper I probably would have passed this one by, but an enthusiastic associate and a well-run bottle shop convinced me to take a taste, and that taste has become a very enjoyable bottle in the cabinet. This is good. It's ahead of the pack. It's a solid 3.75 and flirting with an even better showing. Recommended.

Bright and carmely. Surprisingly smooth for the proof. Highly recommend and enjoy. Will be taking a bottle back home with me.