Meet Tim Piersant | Founder & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Piersant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe our story has written itself by constantly pushing boundaries since our founding in 2011.
We began with the entire city of Chattanooga rallying behind us during our “Vote Whiskey” campaign, which overturned Prohibition-era laws, allowing Chattanooga Whiskey to build the first distillery in the city since 1915. Since then, the support of the local community has been foundational to our success.

We are also pushing the boundaries of what it means to make great whiskey in Tennessee, going the extra mile to craft our own unique style of Bourbon called “Tennessee High Malt.” We are refining what the Tennessee Way means to us. Whether it’s our flagship lineup of Chattanooga 91, 111, and 99 Rye or our Experimental Batches, quality, complexity, and authenticity is always at the forefront of every decision we make.

At the end of the day, as long as we continue to make Chattanooga proud by pushing boundaries and making great whiskey, we will be successful.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think I’m most proud of what sets us apart, which is that we have been successful crafting our own unique style of bourbon whiskey from Tennessee called “Tennessee High Malt.” Not only have we been acknowledged as the Best Craft Producer WorldWide by Whisky Magazine, but I believe Chattanooga Whiskey is recognized as the best premium whiskey that comes from Tennessee, and state known for making whiskey. This was a big risk to take, when the consumer has really only known a traditional style of 3-grain bourbon whiskey up until now. And we did it completely independently without the help of a strategic partner. Yes, we had to overcome a lot of entrepreneurial challenges, like fundraising and a cofounder breakup, but that’s all part of the journey to building something successful. I want the world to know Chattanooga Whiskey, because I think they’d be surprised at what an amazing story and product it is. One of deep, rich, complex flavor and authenticity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welp, I want to show them how the river runs through the Cumberlain Plateau, and maybe catch a largemouth bass or two before we play a round of golf and follow it up with a glass of Chattanooga 91…or maybe 111 if we’re really feeling it. The Tennessee River Gorge is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth, and whiskey has been distilled on its banks for hundreds of years. This is the Tennessee Way.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Chattanooga Whiskey would not be possible without first, a community that believed in the vision. We needed their support to change a century old prohibition era law. Then, a community 0f local investors that cared more about the vision and culture than their return, which created a support system that allowed me to lead with max creative freedom. Of course, my wife and parents emotionally supported me the whole way, which again allowed for max creative freedom to lead. Then finally, employees that cultivated this vision and executed it on a level that I couldn’t have done without them. Chattanooga has provided me people that are uniquely creative and high quality, and I believe the product is a result of that, and it honors that.

Website: https://chattanoogawhiskey.com/

Instagram: @ChattWhiskey