Chattanooga Whiskey Cabernet Cask Malt Whiskey 750ML

Chattanooga Whiskey Cabernet Cask Malt Whiskey 750ML is a 95-proof (47.5% ABV) American single malt whiskey finished in cabernet sauvignon barrels from Silver Oak Cellars. Rated A- by Drinkhacker and praised by Robb Report as "very, very good," this Tennessee-made expression layers dark fruit intensity over a complex malt foundation built from five distinct mashbills.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47.5% (95 Proof)  |  Origin: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA  |  Aged 4+ Years, 18+ Months Cabernet Cask Finish  |  Distillery: Chattanooga Whiskey

Production & Heritage

Chattanooga Whiskey distills in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the distillery has been instrumental in reviving the city's pre-Prohibition whiskey heritage. The Cabernet Cask expression begins as a blend of five proprietary single malt mashbills — designated R18077, R18087, R18088, R18096, and R18097 — each built with at least 25% specialty malts including toasted, roasted, and caramel varieties. After initial maturation totaling more than four years, the whiskey spends over 18 months finishing in cabernet sauvignon barrels sourced from Silver Oak Cellars in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, one of California's most respected wine estates.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A pronounced malt backbone gives way to ripe blackberry and mixed berries, with freshly sliced orange peel and lush floral undertones. Deeper inhales reveal butterscotch and a subtle herbal quality reminiscent of thyme and sage.

Taste: The entry is smooth and silky, leading with rich dark fruit — blackberry and raspberry dominate — alongside toasted pecans and vanilla extract. At mid-palate, a strong chocolate through-line emerges, mingling with caramel, buttery pretzel-like malt sweetness, and cinnamon spice. Black pepper and spicy mustard-seed warmth build toward the peak, balanced by molasses depth.

Finish: Medium to long, with cinnamon and cracked pepper lingering alongside toasted oak and a final echo of dark berry fruit. The malty backbone reasserts itself as the warmth slowly fades, leaving a dry, satisfying close.

How to Drink Cabernet Cask Malt Whiskey

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point — the water opens up the berry-forward aromatics and softens the 95-proof intensity without washing out the cask influence. A single large ice cube also works well, gradually coaxing out more of the chocolate and caramel notes as it dilutes.

• Manhattan: The dark fruit and butterscotch notes meld seamlessly with sweet vermouth and bitters, creating a richer, more vinous variation on the classic.
• Vieux Carré: The malt complexity and berry character add depth alongside Cognac and herbal liqueur, holding their own in this layered New Orleans staple.
• Whiskey Sour: Lemon juice cuts through the dense fruit and chocolate, while the cabernet-cask sweetness reduces the need for heavy syrup additions.

Best For

• Wine enthusiasts exploring whiskey through a familiar lens of cabernet influence
• Gifting to American single malt collectors seeking limited cask-finished expressions
• After-dinner sipping alongside a cheese or chocolate course
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wine-cask-finished single malts from different distilleries

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cabernet Cask Malt Whiskey taste like? It leads with rich blackberry and raspberry fruit layered over a strong chocolate through-line, with toasted pecans, caramel, and cinnamon spice building through the mid-palate. The finish is medium to long with lingering pepper and toasted oak.

How does Cabernet Cask compare to Copperworks Red Wine Cask? Both showcase the American single malt plus red wine cask combination, but the Chattanooga expression draws its complexity from five blended specialty-malt mashbills and specifically cabernet barrels from Silver Oak Cellars. Copperworks leans more toward fruit leather and concentrated red fruit, while the Chattanooga delivers a broader profile encompassing chocolate, nuts, and herbal notes alongside its berry character.

Is Cabernet Cask good for sipping neat? At 47.5% ABV it sits in a sweet spot — assertive enough to carry its layered flavors without overwhelming heat, making it well-suited for neat sipping. A few drops of water further open the aromatics for those who prefer a gentler approach.

Where is Cabernet Cask Malt Whiskey made? It is distilled and aged at Chattanooga Whiskey's distillery in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the cabernet finishing barrels sourced from Silver Oak Cellars in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County, California.

What foods pair well with Cabernet Cask? Dark chocolate truffles complement the chocolate and berry notes directly. Aged Gouda or sharp cheddar match the toasted malt sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, caramel character. Grilled lamb chops bridge the savory, peppery finish. A blackberry or mixed-berry tart mirrors the dominant fruit profile.

What sizes does Cabernet Cask come in? The standard release is available in the 750ml bottle size.

Is Cabernet Cask worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium American single malt with over four years of aging and an extended 18-month cabernet cask finish using barrels from a prestigious winery. Breaking Bourbon specifically noted it "proves you can produce a fantastic barrel finished whiskey without having to give it a triple digit price tag," placing it firmly in the value-conscious premium tier.

Why Cabernet Cask?

The partnership with Silver Oak Cellars sets this release apart from the growing field of wine-cask-finished American whiskeys — few distilleries can claim barrels from an estate of that caliber. The five-mashbill blending approach, each built on distinct specialty malts yielding flavors from smoke and cacao to pastry and blackberry, gives the base spirit unusual depth before the cabernet barrels ever come into play. An A- rating from Drinkhacker and strong praise from both Robb Report and Breaking Bourbon confirm that the finished product delivers on its ambitious premise. For drinkers drawn to the intersection of American winemaking and the emerging single malt category, this is one of the more thoughtfully constructed expressions available.