I remember my first reaction when a friend gave me this sample of Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey. Holding the tiny bottle in my hand I though “aw man here we go, another cardboard tasting ‘craft whiskey’ from a distillery that has good intentions.” Boy was I wrong, and I’m glad I was.
Created in the heart of corn country, this Heartland gem took me completely by surprise and after my first sniff had me sitting up straight in my chair. That first sniff made a solid pitch and the first taste completely sold me on whatever they’re doing down there in Iowa. Maybe it’s the temperature, maybe it’s the quality of grain, maybe it’s the water; whatever it is, these guys are doing it right and this bourbon is a testament to quality craft distilling.
Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey Info
Region: Iowa, USA
Distiller: Cedar Ridge Vineyards Winery & Distillery
Cask: New charred white oak
Age: 4.5 years
ABV: 57.9%
Cask Strength
Barrel: 120
Price: $60
Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey Review
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Warm caramel and soft corn, vanilla and spice all move out of the glass at an unhurried pace. Light herbal touches of juniper, anise, pine and clove move around with a bit of astringent wood and a charred sweetness that makes me think of burnt toffee.
PALATE
Spicy and herbal upfront; notes of clove, fennel, pine, cinnamon and spearmint. Warm caramel, raw grains, vanilla and dark fruit come next followed by an ambiguous sweetness that leads in to the finish.
FINISH
Long sweet fade of pine, mint, fennel and wood.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, med body and slightly rough texture.
OVERALL
The Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbon Whiskey is a little wacky from the herbalness and reminds me a bit of the FEW Bourbon. Water brings out more herbal nature, kicking it up a notch, but it also brings more sweet caramel through the nose and palate. There is a large amount of herbal spice to it, but it never fully overwhelms the sweeter notes and it ends up having a nice unique character when all’s said and done.
SCORE: 87/100
