Chattanooga Whiskey Names Tiana Saul as Head Distiller

Today brings us a bit of news from the Tennessee whiskey world.  Chattanoona Whiskey names Tiana Saul as their Head Distiller, while Founding Distiller Grant McCracken will continue exclusively as Chief Product Officer.  Find the press release and images below.

Author

John H.

CATEGORY

Press Release

POSTED ON

March 9th, 2023

Chattanooga, TN (March 2023) – Chattanooga Whiskey today named Tiana Saul as Head Distiller, succeeding Founding Head Distiller Grant McCracken, who will continue exclusively as Chief Product Officer (CPO).

Saul began her career with Chattanooga Whiskey in 2015 as the Assistant Manager at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery before transitioning to the production team in 2017. Over the next 4 years, she worked on or helped lead nearly every aspect of the production process.

Saul shifted her focus to new product development in 2018. She developed a variety of expressions, including barrel-aged gins and infused liqueurs, which helped establish Chattanooga Whiskey’s Experimental Single Batch Series as one of the most prolific and innovative collections in the industry. In addition, her blending efforts helped shape two critically acclaimed expressions: the Chattanooga Whiskey Finishing Series and the Bottled in Bond Vintage Series.

As Head Distiller, Saul will lead a production team of 15 full-time employees and cover all aspects of production, grain-to-glass.

“Over the years, Tiana has shown, among other things, a keen eye for the details, a unique sense of style, and a natural understanding of leadership. She is someone the entire team has always looked up to – in every aspect of what we do,” McCracken said. “For those reasons and more, we’re thrilled to see her in this leadership role.”

Saul said she is beyond excited and honored to embark on this next leg of her spirits journey with Chattanooga Whiskey. “I could not ask for a more knowledgeable and passionate team to work with and am grateful for the chance to build off the foundation Grant has laid. I look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of the craft spirits world.”

With the promotion of Saul to Head Distiller, McCracken will continue in his role as Chief Product Officer (CPO) exclusively, focusing on strategic planning goals related to expansion, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Joining Chattanooga Whiskey as their first Head Distiller in 2014, McCracken led the build out of both the Experimental and Riverfront Distilleries, the creation of a whiskey style known as Tennessee High Malt, and the product transition from the 1816 expressions to the release of Chattanooga Whiskey 91 & Cask 111. Over his 8 years with the company, he has led the release of over 100 unique Experimental and flagship expressions, and, most recently, helped the company achieve the title of America’s “Craft Producer of the
Year” for 2023 by Whisky Magazine.

Said McCracken, “I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity to work in the CPO role exclusively.  Although I will continue to work with Tiana on high level production matters, I am also excited to help our team start laying the groundwork for what comes next.”

About Chattanooga Whiskey:
Starting in 2011, Chattanooga Whiskey challenged the laws and won the right to distill whiskey in Chattanooga for the first time in over 100 years. The Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery now hosts over 40,000 visitors per year and serves as a hub of innovation and creativity to push the boundaries of craft whiskey. The Riverfront Distillery is the production home to Chattanooga Whiskey’s signature Tennessee High Malt expressions: Chattanooga Whiskey 91, Cask 111, 99 Rye, and the Bottled in Bond
Vintage Series.

Chattanooga Whiskey: http://www.chattanoogawhiskey.com
Experimental Distillery 1439 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN
Riverfront Distillery 890 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN
For more information: Press@TNStillhouse.com, 423.803.4890

Final thoughts…

I haven’t had the opportunity to try many expressions from Chattanooga Whiskey just yet, but I recall enjoying their Cask 111 Tennessee High Malt when I reviewed it in 2020.  These are exciting times in the whiskey world, and it seems that every few months we’re seeing another personnel change in a distillery.  Where will it go from here?  Stay tuned!

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