Chattanooga Whiskey is stepping outside familiar territory with its latest release, taking aim at one of Ireland’s most protected and passionate whiskey categories. The Tennessee distillery just announced Batch 047: Single Pot Still, part of their Experimental Single Batch Series, and it represents a fascinating collision between Old World tradition and American bourbon country innovation.
Single Pot Still whiskey occupies a unique space in the spirits world. It’s Ireland’s signature style, protected by strict definitions and beloved by a dedicated following who can spot an imposter from across the room. The style demands specific ingredients—malted and unmalted barley distilled together in traditional copper pot stills—and delivers a distinctive combination of silky texture and peppery spice that sets it apart from other whiskeys.
For Chattanooga Whiskey to attempt their own version took either confidence or audacity, possibly both. Grant McCracken, the distillery’s Founding Distiller, acknowledged the challenge head-on. “As a spirit style, Single Pot Still whiskey has developed a loyal, passionate following,” McCracken said in a news release. “So when we decided to make our own version, we knew it had to check all the stylistic boxes: unmalted barley for signature texture and flavor, oats for grain complexity, and pot distillation for that classic spirit quality.”…