The 111-Proof Four-Way Blind
The Setup
I’ve been high on Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask ever since I found it for just under $40. It drinks like something twice its age — barely two and a half years old but packed with depth and sweetness. Still, I wanted to know how it would fare when tasted blind against some other favorites.
So tonight’s field lines up like this:
- Two Chattanoogas: the 111 Cask and the Bottled-in-Bond
- Two Contenders in the Same Weight Class: Clyde May’s Special Reserve (110 proof) and Green River 250th Anniversary (111.1 proof)
Four Glencairns. Four amber drams. Each roughly the same color, the same proof (except for the bottled-in-bond), and—at first whiff—an orchestra of caramel, spice, and oak filling the room.
Time to see who earns the crown.
Round 1 | The Tasting
🥃 Glencairn A
Color: Solid copper.
Nose: Brown sugar and caramel up front, followed by baking spice and buttery toffee.
Palate: Brown sugar and cinnamon lead, with caramel and toffee following.
Mouthfeel: Beautifully creamy.
Finish: Oak shows up late with a hint of caramel and spice.
Overall: A terrific start — warm, sweet, balanced.
Score: 81.7
🥃 Glencairn B
Color: Solid copper, slightly deeper than A.
Nose: Lighter and more savory — cardamom, vanilla, and faint caramel.
Palate: A blast of cotton candy laced with cinnamon. The spice dominates.
Mouthfeel: Pleasant but not creamy.
Finish: Cinnamon that just won’t quit — Big Red in a glass.
Overall: Fun and fiery, but a bit youthful.
Score: 78.3
🥃 Glencairn C
Color: Light copper.
Nose: Ethanol leads off, then oak, vanilla, caramel.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet and balanced — toffee, cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla with a touch of oak.
Mouthfeel: Borderline creamy.
Finish: Brown sugar and toffee linger nicely.
Overall: Better than expected — a quiet contender.
Score: 79.8
🥃 Glencairn D
Color: Rich copper nearing mahogany.
Nose: Complex and enticing — savory spice, dark chocolate, black cherry.
Palate: Dark, rich, and balanced — butter, dark fruit, nutmeg, and caramel playing beautifully together.
Mouthfeel: Luxuriously creamy.
Finish: Long and evolving — sweetness returns for a final encore.
Overall: This one blew me away. Elegant and satisfying.
Score: 86.5
Round 2 | The Reveal
| Place | Bourbon | Proof | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond | 100 | 86.5 |
| 🥈 | Clyde May’s Special Reserve | 110 | 81.7 |
| 🥉 | Green River 250th Anniversary | 111.1 | 79.8 |
| 🏅 | Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask | 111 | 78.3 |
The Postgame
Color me shocked. I was sure the younger Chattanooga 111 Cask would top its older brother, but blind tasting never lies. The Bonded version was richer, deeper, and altogether more refined — an easy champion.
That said, there wasn’t a loser in this lineup. Each poured something worth reaching for:
- Clyde May’s brought the comfort of brown sugar and toffee.
- Green River showed balanced sweetness and proofy character.
- Chattanooga 111 delivered youthful fire and fun at a can’t-miss price.
Cheapskate Verdict
For under $40, Chattanooga 111 Cask is still a must-buy bottle. It’s young but honest — full of energy and sweet spice that belies its age. But when you want depth and balance, the Bottled-in-Bond earns its $15 premium and then some.
Winner: Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond
Value Hero: Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
