Two in a row! We’re not about to pat ourselves too hard on the back, but so far, we’re doing a better job of keeping up with Chattanooga Whiskey’s semiannual Bottled in Bond releases. The fall 2018 offering was a mix of four high-malt mash bills, but the distillery is dialing that back for the spring 2019 release with only two different bourbons in the blend. But there’s an important catch. The deets per Chattanooga Whiskey:

Barreled from January 2019 through June 2019, Chattanooga Whiskey’s Spring 2019 Vintage features two high malt mashbills familiar to the BIB series: SB091, their signature “Barrel 91” recipe, and B005, a wheated high malt recipe. In addition, 40% of the entire blend was aged in custom-toasted and charred barrels, which add additional layers of rich complexity to the final whiskey.

What does this specialty barrel toasting add to the equation?

A lot. The aroma is impressively roasted and warming, but not in the way a lot of toasted barrel whiskeys can be. The experience isn’t overly caramelized or chocolate heavy, instead offering up lots of crunchy candied pecans, creamy fudge, and birch beer. A bit of dark molasses builds as it opens along with a hint of wood smoke. The palate is rich and well-balanced. Things kick off with a convergence of warm chocolate chip cookies, graham cracker, and clove before transitioning to persimmon and chicory coffee. It sweetens up considerably heading into the finish with notes of pecan pie and nougatine before dissolving into a lingering finish of flamed orange peel and barrel char. My favorite whiskey from the brand thus far.

100 proof.

A- / $53 / chattanoogawhiskey.com

Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Spring 2019 Vintage

$53

9

Rating

9.0/10

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