Cedar Ridge Straight Bourbon

It’s Summer in the Midwest. The last weeks of sweet corn season are winding up at our local Farmer’s Market and we’re enjoying all the tastes of the season. Enjoying a pour on a hot weekend afternoon and paging through whiskey magazines, Cedar Ridge Straight Bourbon has been racking up awards, such as the American Distilling Institute’s Distiller of the Year and Best American Craft Whiskey at the New York World Spirits Competition. It was time to check out this Iowa bourbon. 

Distilling and Farming for Generations

Founded in 2005, Jeff and Laurie Quint - along with their family - brought Cedar Ridge to the market. While Kentucky may produce the most bourbon, Iowa consistently ranks as the top producer of corn in the United States.Cedar Ridge was also the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition.

While other quick-to-market bourbons outsource production, not so with Cedar Ridge. Every step of production is handled onsite, including use of their own grains - a true farm-to-glass operation. The spirit is twice-distilled in copper stills and allowed to age in non-climate-controlled warehouses. Today, Murphy Quint oversees production and serves as Master Distiller. The inconsistencies of Iowa weather leads to rapid maturity and rich flavors and aromas along with a higher than typical Angels’ share.

The Tasting    

This bourbon serves as the flagship expression for Cedar Ridge. The packaging is a short, squat bottle in crimson and sepia tone, and displays the mash bill on the side: 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% two-row malted barley. This is a blend of barrels that have aged 3 and 4 years, and the finished product is bottled at 86 proof.

Eye: Golden raisin with evenly-spaced medium legs dripping down the inside of the Glencairn glass. 

Nose: Buttery popcorn, Whoppers Candy, sweet corn syrup, Werther’s Chews, and honey. Somewhat light, but pleasant.

Palate: Very smooth with very subtle rye and toasted oak. Drenched in buttery sweet corn and vanilla balanced with malty and dried hay.

Finish:  Medium-short with a light oak and spice. 

Overall: This was pleasant and a fine Summertime sip. While the lightness might not hold up well in a cocktail, it was perfect on ice in the Midwestern heat. 

The price at my regional liquor chain was $29. I’d love to see how the profile would deepen with a couple more years of age and a higher proof.