Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery sits right in the heart of downtown Chattanooga on Market Street, occupying a restored historic building that feels both industrial and intimate. Founded by Tim Piersant and Ned Vickers in 2011, this operation made history as Tennessee’s first new whiskey distillery outside of the Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel families in over a century. The duo actually had to get Tennessee state law changed to make their dream happen—the original legislation only allowed distilleries in three counties, and Hamilton County wasn’t one of them. Their persistence paid off, and they opened their doors in 2015 after years of legal battles and fundraising. What started as a passion project between two friends has grown into a legitimate whiskey producer making bourbon, rye, and their signature high-malt bourbon using a unique solera aging system. The experimental facility houses custom-built stills and serves as both production space and tasting room, where visitors can watch whiskey being made while sampling the results. Piersant brings a background in finance while Vickers contributed marketing expertise, but both taught themselves the art of distilling through trial, error, and consultation with industry veterans.
