Tim Piersant

Tim Piersant, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, had a vision to revive the city's whiskey-making tradition, which had been dormant for nearly a century due to Prohibition. Inspired by the history and legacy of distilling in the region, Piersant embarked on a journey to bring back the spirit of Chattanooga through the production of fine whiskey. His passion for the craft and determination to resurrect a long-lost tradition led to the birth of Chattanooga Whiskey.

Born in July 1981, Piersant was the son of an entrepreneur who spent much of his career in ministry.  After graduating college from Auburn University, Tim worked for 7 years with his father when he developed an interest in revitalizing the lost art of distilling and its rich history in a city he called home.

Amazed to find Chattanooga once a prospering hub for distilling in his home state – he launched a Facebook campaign with then close friend and co-partner Joe Ledbetter, posing a question for residents on the then rapidly growing social media platform Facebook, asking "Would you drink Chattanooga Whiskey?" The answer was a resounding “YES!” and quickly galvanize community support.

Full of confidence both Piersant and Ledbetter would begin orchestrating their plan to create Chattanooga Whiskey but faced an uphill battle with it being illegal to distill in Chattanooga despite recent law changes in 2009 for 45 counties in Tennessee to allow distilling.

In 2011, the two founded Chattanooga Whiskey, and vowed to fight both local and state laws to allow Hamilton County to be inclusive for distillation once again. While they worked feverishly to change the law, the duo would start sourcing whiskey from MGP in 2012 and release their first bottling in April of that same year. The legislative fight continued with the pairs grit and determination launching a "Vote Whiskey" campaign in August 2012.  It was in May 2013, House Bill 102 known as “The Whiskey Bill” would pass and open the door to distilling again in Chattanooga.

With momentum starting to pick up steam, both Piersant and Ledbetter ended their working relationship in 2014.  In December of that year, the distillery would add former Samuel Adams brewer Grant McCracken as Founding Distiller. Less than a year later, in November 2015, Chattanooga Whiskey released its first distilled spirit known as Chattanooga Whiskey 100, an un-aged white whiskey to celebrate the city’s first locally distilled whiskey in 100 years.  In August 2019, Chattanooga would halt all MGP production and begin distributing entirely their own distillate.

One of the key aspects that set Chattanooga Whiskey apart from other brands is its commitment to innovation and utilization of specialty malted grains.  Both McCracken and Piersant understood the importance of utilizing the region's natural resources and supporting local farmers. By partnering with local grain suppliers, such as Catesa Farms and Riverbend Malt House, they ensured the whiskey produced by Chattanooga Whiskey remained true to its roots.

The company’s mission is to bring “Whiskey To The People”.  In doing so, Chattanooga Whiskey follows a meticulous process to create its signature flavor profile. Piersant and team employ traditional techniques combined with modern innovation to craft their whiskey. From the selection of grains to the aging process, every step is carefully executed to create a product that embodies the spirit and history of Chattanooga. This attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship has garnered recognition and numerous awards for the brand. 

A founding member of Tennessee Distillers Guild and member of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail - Chattanooga Whiskey is unique in that it doesn't identify as a Tennessee Whiskey, but instead a Tennessee High Malt – its own high malt style of straight bourbon whiskey.  Additionally, they utilize a 4,000-gallon, charred, white oak Solera finishing, to marry nearly 100 barrels together and it never goes empty keeping with the company’s rich history of innovation and complexity.

In addition to their exceptional whiskey, Chattanooga Whiskey is also known for its community involvement. Piersant and his team have made it a priority to give back to the city that inspired their journey. They have invested in revitalizing the historic district of Chattanooga, contributing to the local economy, and creating job opportunities. Furthermore, they have established partnerships with local charities, supporting various social causes and making a positive impact on the community.  The company is a proud sponsor of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, a land trust focused on the conservation and preservation for future generations.

The company today has two locations.  The original Experimental Distillery located in downtown Chattanooga (across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo) and its Riverfront Distillery, which opened in March 2017 and included a complete transformation from an historic car dealership into one of the largest craft bourbon distilleries in the south. This Riverfront location serves as the production site for the company's signature Tennessee High Malt, and its unique style of straight bourbon whiskey.

By creating a product that embodies the essence of the region and supporting the local economy, Chattanooga Whiskey has become a symbol of pride for the people of Chattanooga.