Chattanooga Whiskey Rye Malt Whiskey Review.

    Chattanooga Whiskey is one of those distilleries that quietly grows on you until one day you realize half your shelf has their logo on it. For a long time, their bottles felt like the “bridesmaid, never the bride” option for me, always interesting, just never the one I grabbed first. Lately though, that’s changed in a big way. The more I’ve explored their lineup, the more I’ve come to appreciate how thoughtful and transparent their approach is, especially as a true grain-to-glass craft distillery.

    This Straight Rye Malt is a perfect example of why Chattanooga keeps pulling me back in. It’s not the easiest bottle to find in my Indiana market, so when I spotted one, I didn’t hesitate. Chattanooga doesn’t give exact mash bill percentages, but they do something even better than most brands: they tell you exactly what’s in the whiskey, right on the bottle. This rye-forward mash is built around pale malted rye, supported by yellow corn, caramel malted rye, and chocolate malted rye. That combination alone signals this isn’t going to be your typical sharp, grassy rye.

    Everything here is distilled, aged, and bottled by Chattanooga themselves, and that craft DNA shows up immediately. 

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/HljMWbk6WiY.

Age Statement: +3 years.

ABV: 49.5%.

Mash bill: Pale Malted Rye, Yellow Corn, Caramel Malted Rye, Chocolate Malted Rye.

Area of Distillation: Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Appearance: Diluted copper.


On the nose:

    This nose wastes no time announcing that it’s a craft whiskey. Grain-forward rye spice leads the way, followed by a surprisingly vibrant fruit medley of apple, pear, peach, and even a touch of apricot. The chocolate malted rye brings in a subtle baker’s chocolate note, while the pale malt delivers an unmistakable malty, almost pilsner-like beer character. There’s also a waxy, antique furniture note that shows up often in young craft whiskey, along with clove and nutmeg spice, light vanilla, and dark caramel that leans toward lightly burnt. No harsh alcohol, no off notes, just lively and expressive.

Taste:

   Right away, rye spice and cracked pepper take the lead, quickly joined by that pale malt character that gives the whiskey a beer-adjacent maltiness. Herbal notes build as it develops, with rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint all showing up in a layered, garden-like way. The texture carries a noticeable waxiness, and as it opens up, buttery sweet corn and husky grain notes emerge. Caramel malt adds a touch of sweetness, keeping the spice from becoming too aggressive.

Finish:

   The finish is where the age shows itself most clearly. It’s pleasant but shorter than I’d hoped, leaving you wanting just a bit more body and depth. Barrel spice, soft vanilla, and caramel linger briefly before fading, reinforcing the idea that this whiskey is still growing into itself.

Final Thoughts: 

    Pricing on this bottle is a bit all over the map, ranging from the low $40s into the $50s depending on the market. At around $43–$45, it feels right at home. This is an unconventional rye that won’t be for everyone, especially traditional rye drinkers expecting a classic profile. That said, for anyone curious about craft whiskey, unique mash bills, or rye done differently, it’s a rewarding pour.

Rating: B- (Fairly good).

Cost: $46.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/HljMWbk6WiY.

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