Chattanooga Whiskey

The Chattanooga Whiskey Story – Inspired by our city’s rich distilling history, Chattanooga Whiskey was founded in 2011 with a mission to bring back “Whiskey to the People.” Following the success of our community-powered Vote Whiskey campaign, we eventually became the first distillery in Chattanooga in over a century. In 2015, we began the patient process of crafting our malt-forward style of straight bourbon whiskey we call Tennessee High Malt. After 8 years in the making, our Tennessee High Malt was released in August 2019, marking a new era in our company history with a whiskey that celebrates the future as much as the history that got us here today.

1816 – John Ross establishes a trading post on the banks of the Tennessee River – what is now the corner of Market Street and Riverfront Parkway. The location becomes known as Ross’s Landing.

1839 – The community of Ross’s Landing incorporates as the city of Chattanooga – a Muscogee word meaning “rock rising to a point” – describing Lookout Mountain.

1860s to 1900s – Chattanooga becomes a North American distilling hub, with over 30 distilleries and 98 liquor dealers coming into establishment.

1909 – Prohibition in Tennessee begins, a full 10 years prior to the national prohibition. Production of whiskey is prohibited.

1915 – Police Commissioner and local distiller caught smuggling whiskey out of the state, in coffins. One of the last mentions of distilling in Chattanooga, pre prohibition.

1915 – Tennessee prohibition laws become increasingly strict, and Chattanooga’s remaining distilleries are forced to shut down.

1917 – “Bone Dry Bill” brings full prohibition to Tennessee, eliminating possession and distribution loopholes.

1920 to 1933 – National Prohibition Act.

1933 to 2009 – Post-National Prohibition. State laws permit 3 counties to distill spirits – Lincoln, Moore and Coffee.

2009 – After Great Recession, Tennessee lawmakers vote 57-26 in favor of expanding spirits production to 41 additional Tennessee counties. This expansion does not include Hamilton County (Chattanooga, TN).

2011 – Tim Piersant and Joe Ledbetter begin researching Chattanooga distilling laws, formulate plan to bring whiskey back to Hamilton County.

Oct 2011 – On October 14, 2011 “Would you Drink Chattanooga Whiskey?” appears on social media. Community response is overwhelming.

Nov 2011 – Chattanooga Whiskey Co. founded. Company announces intentions to help change Chattanooga distilling laws.

Jan 2012 – As they begin their law-changing efforts, the company approaches Lawrenceburg Distillers of Indiana (LDI) to produce a whiskey for them, select a high-rye bourbon recipe and purchase first barrels.

Apr 2012 – Both 1816 Reserve and Cask are released into distribution.

Aug 2012 – Vote Whiskey campaign is launched, further galvanizing public support to change century-old distilling laws.

Nov 2012 – Tim and Joe take their efforts to change laws to the local government. Present a pro-economic case to a crowded Hamilton County commission chamber. With substantial community support behind them, commission votes 7-0 to adopt a nonbinding resolution to the Tennessee General Assembly, requesting the state law to be amended.

Jan 2013 – House Bill 102 (Senate Bill 129), nicknamed “The Whiskey Bill”, is drafted and sponsored by Joe Carr, R-Lascassas.

Mar 2013 – “Whiskey Bill” nearly derailed after a disguised lobbying group attempts to amend HB 102, thereby making the legislation inoperable.

May 2013 – HB 102, “The Whiskey Bill”, passes with 57 House members in favor and 31 opposed. Bill Haslam signs into law on May 16, 2013.

Sep 2014 – Chattanooga Whiskey begins development on Experimental micro-distillery on Market St. Designed to be the home of their R&D process, making only ~1 barrel/week.

Dec 2014 – Team hires former brewer, Grant McCracken as Head Distiller.

Mar 2015 – Whiskey production begins at Experimental Distillery – the first time in 100 years followed by the grand opening on March 24, 2015.

Nov 2015 – Chattanooga Whiskey “100” released – the first whiskey produced in Chattanooga in 100 years.

Jul 2016 – Company begins work on a 45,000 sq ft. Riverfront Distillery – a facility with enough capacity to produce 50-60 barrels/week.

Mar 2017 – Riverfront Distillery goes online, begins producing a number of recipes selected from their Experimental Distillery.

Aug 2017 – Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Single Batch Series launches with Batch 001 – A “Tennessee High Malt” Bourbon – the first aged whiskey released in Chattanooga in 102 years.

Aug 2018 – Chattanooga Whiskey 91 and Chattanooga Whiskey Cask 111, the Only Tennessee High Malt Whiskey, are released from the Riverfront Distillery.

Sep 2018 – The Road to Tennessee High Malt begins – a month-by-month release of 10 single barrels, selected from the first 100 produced at the Experimental Distillery – culminating with Barrel #91, the future flagship recipe.

Jul 2020 – Tennessee Rye Malt, the newest addition to the Tennessee High Malt family, is released.