Chattanooga Whiskey today named Tiana Saul as head distiller, succeeding founding head distiller Grant McCracken, who will continue exclusively as chief product officer (CPO).
Ms. 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 four years, she worked on or helped lead nearly every aspect of the production process.
Ms. 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, Ms. 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,” Mr. McCracken said. “For those reasons and more, we’re thrilled to see her in this leadership role.”
Ms. 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 Ms. Saul to head distiller, Mr. McCracken will continue in his role as 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 eight 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.
Mr. McCracken said, “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.”