Wanda and Bill Lee started distilling spirits when they lived in Minnesota. Bill, a chemical engineer, wanted to relieve the boredom of the long, cold winters. Wanda, a middle school teacher, had a simpler motivation. “I needed to drink,” she says.
The Tennessee natives have returned to their roots. In 2019, they opened Gate Eleven Distillery (1400 Market Street, gate11distillery.com) in the old Gate 11 of the Chattanooga Choo Choo terminal station.
“Tennessee whiskey is a culture,” says Bill and “there’s no more iconic Chattanooga location than right here.” The distillery is a perfect fit for the hotel and entertainment complex that has taken over the fabled train station.
A visit to Chattanooga Choo Choo station lifts the spirits
Bill designed and handbuilt the distillery, which features six stills and all sorts of gauges and gadgets that he operates with ease. “We’re a little hyperactive,” he admits. “We can’t stop making things.” The couple began modestly enough with gin and vodka. “But apparently we are addicted to creating new flavors,” says Bill, who now handles the rum, vodka, and bourbon and rye whiskeys. He’s most proud of his agave spirits. “It’s tequila,” he says, “but I can’t use the name.”
Wanda concentrates on gin and absinthe. “I worked on the gin for three years before we opened,” she says. “I use nine botanicals. It’s a garden in a glass.” Gate Eleven Gin has brought national and international attention to the small batch distillery. Earlier this year, the Beverage Tasting Institute named it as one of the best gins in the world.
Wanda also focuses her keen sense of taste and attention to detail on the Infame line of both Blanche and Verte absinthe. “We built a greenhouse so we could grow hyssop and lemon balm for the absinthe verte,” she says. “We wanted the green color to be natural.”
Gate Eleven offers an hour-long tour ($18) complete with tasting of at least four spirits. Or stop at the bar for a shot, a tasting or a cocktail. Consider an Old Fashioned with Gate Eleven rye whiskey, dark simple syrup, bitters, and smoked orange peel. Or try Gate Eleven’s Fairy Godmother, a smooth blend of Infame absinthe, elderflower cordial, pineapple, lemon, and lime juice. Gate Eleven also creates its own syrups and infusions. Naturally.
