Batch 037: Ancient Wheat is the newest release in their award-winning Experimental Single Batch Series
Chattanooga Whiskey continues their quest of innovation through experimentation and grain selection. In their newest batch, they looked to the past to select a unique heirloom variety of wheat, known as Dinkel Wheat. Dinkel Wheat is one of the very first domesticated grains in human history, dating back to ancient civilization. For more details on Chattanooga Whiskey and what makes them “tick”, check out on of our latest Bourbon Lens podcasts featuring Co-Founder Tim Piersant.
Full Details on Batch 037: Ancient Wheat
Made from a blend of two whiskey styles, this three-barrel batch was crafted to highlight the flavor impact of a unique heirloom variety of wheat known as dinkel wheat. Also known to distillers as spelt or hulled wheat, this grain and its cultivation date back to the dawn of civilization, contributing a “nutty richness” to the whiskey.
Every recipe we make has its own story, and every one of those recipes starts with a “first ingredient.” For this experiment, our distillers focused on wheat – seeking to discover a “perfect” malted wheat varietal that could match the depth, flavor, and character of our Tennessee High Malt style. Surprisingly, this wheated whiskey’s “first ingredient” happened to be one of the very first domesticated grains in human history!
Grant McCracken, Chief Product Officer
Each unique wheated whiskey recipe in the blend was comprised of the same three grain types – malted dinkel wheat, malted barley, and yellow corn. Together, this pot distilled blend of whiskeys contains an average of 51% malted dinkel wheat, which was toasted at low temperatures to preserve the character of the underlying grain. Aged for over four years in multiple types of toasted and charred oak barrels, each custom toast profile was meant to accentuate the nutty, toasty, and bakery-like character coming from the wheated mash bills.
After the “first ingredient” is chosen, our distiller’s job is to “listen to the whiskey” before making their next selection. In effect, every successive ingredient is chosen to complement and/or enhance the character of the one that came before it. So, although most of the flavor comes from the malted dinkel wheat, the multiple varieties of toasted barley malt, our Tennessee-grown yellow corn, and three types of toasted and charred casks, each build off of one another to form a wheated whiskey like no other, and uniquely Chattanooga Whiskey.
Grant McCracken, Chief Product Officer
Batch 037: Ancient Wheat will be available at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery at $69.99 for a 750ml bottle, and available online for shipping to select states on Seelbachs.com. Bottled at 105 proof, expect notes of walnut raisin bread, dried apricot, brown sugar, nutmeg, molasses, and sweet tea.
About Chattanooga Whiskey:
Starting in 2011, Chattanooga Whiskey challenged the laws and won the right to distill whiskey in Chattanooga for the first time in 100 years. The Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, the only standalone experimental distillery in the country, hosts over 50,000 visitors per year and serves as a hub of innovation and creativity to push the boundaries of craft whiskey. The Riverfront Distillery is the production home to Chattanooga Whiskey’s signature expressions, Chattanooga Whiskey 91, Cask 111 and 99 Rye, as well as their Bottled in Bond Vintage Series and Barrel Finishing Series.
Independently owned and operated, Chattanooga Whiskey is committed to making whiskey that emphasizes quality, complexity, and authenticity through their one-of-a-kind Tennessee High Malt style. Most recently, Chattanooga Whiskey was named Icons of Whisky – Craft Producer of the Year (both America & Global) at Whisky Magazine’s 2023 World Whiskies Awards. More info can be found on Chattanooga Whiskey’s website.
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