Chattanooga Whiskey Company

What started as a simple Facebook post: “Would you drink Chattanooga Whiskey?” became a large movement to change the prohibition laws in Hamilton County, Tennessee and bring the art of distilling back to Chattanooga.

From Past to Present< In the late 1800’s, Chattanooga, Tennessee had more thane 30 distilleries and was the largest distilling center in the state. Then came Prohibition, and it was all shut down. It stayed that way until nearly 100 years later, when two men, Joe Ledbetter and Tim Piersant decided to change it. ^[1] They ventured into the Distilled Spirits world with the Chattanooga Whiskey Company to bring whiskey back to their hometown, but it wasn’t easy. In 2009, the Tennessee Legislature voted to change distillation laws in certain counties, but Hamilton County was not one of them. ^[2] Ledbetter and Piersant used social media to kick-off their campaign with the question on Facebook. The men stayed in the public, hosting several events to encourage residents to “Vote Whiskey.” ^[3]

 Finally, in November 2012, they went before the County Commission. ^[4] The room was packed, and sometimes the vernacular was heated.  In the end, the Commission approved a plan to send the measure to Nashville where lawmakers could vote on the future of distilling in Hamilton County.

^[5] Governor Bill Haslam signed the bill into law in the Spring of 2013. ^[6]

Cask to Glass to Home Currently, Chattanooga Whiskey is being manufactured at MGP/LDI of Indiana. This distillery has been in operation since 1847. By Spring of 2015, Chattanooga Whiskey Company will be in the Heart of Downtown Chattanooga, inside the Tennessee Stillhouse just a few blocks away from the Tennessee Aquarium. ^[7]

There are currently two types of Chattanooga Whiskey: 1816 Reserve and 1816 Cask. The name marks the date of the first trading post along the Tennessee River where Chattanooga resides today. ^[8] The Chattanooga Whiskey Company says its 1816 line is 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley. 1816 Reserve is 90 proof while the 1816 Cask is 113.6 proof. Early reviews state the whiskey is smooth, with plenty of flavor. ^[9] ^[10]

Amidst all the culture and character, is one of the only operable Whiskey Trucks. The Chattanooga Whiskey Truck was restored at Honest Charley’s garage. ^[11] It’s a 1913 White Depot Hack, which would have hauled just about anything back in the day. This four cylinder truck is now a perfect marketing vehicle for the Chattanooga Whiskey Company.

References

[1] ttp://www.tennesseewhiskeytrail.com/whiskey-friends/

[2] ttp://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/morning_call/2012/10/why-chattanooga-whiskey-isnt-made-in.

[3] ttp://nooga.com/154284/chattanooga-whiskey-company-product-coming-to-stores-next-month/

[4] ttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/nov/16/whiskey-backers-pack-courthouse/

[5] ttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/nov/22/whiskey-letter-looking-for-signatures/

[6] ttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/may/18/gov-haslam-signs-whiskey-bill/

[7] ttp://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/mar/25/downtown-work-to-start-soon-on-chattanooga/

[8] ttp://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-South/Chattanooga-History.html.

[9] ttp://www.tikibaronline.com/2012/07/tn-spirits-chattanooga-whiskey-company.html

[10] ttp://www.stogiesontherocks.com/spirits/chattanooga-whiskey-1816-cask/

[11] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4VtP5RBj9c.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]