Review by: Whiskery Turnip

---

Distillery: Cedar Ridge.

Bottler: Distillery.

Region: United States/Iowa Single Malt.

ABV: 46%.

Age: 3 Years.

Cask type: Bourbon, Wine, Port.

---

Nose: Big, malty cereal notes with dried fruits, fruity syrups, and chocolate syrup; licorice arrived with a touch of savory herbs and butter; the aroma moved from movie theater snacks to sage, grass, and autumn notes of dry spices and grass.

Palate: Light-bodied, moderately oily, dried fruits and peppery spice; cereal grains and dried fruit, caramel, subtle tobacco and herbal spices; tingling spirit at the end with some sour fruits, leather, and spirited pepper.

Finish: Medium-length with dried fruits, toasted cereals, and spirited pepper.

---

Mental Image: Grandpa Regales the Youth with Stories of Cheap Theatre Snacks.

Conclusion: Mellow and gentle on the nose, there was a youthful, spirited quality on the palate, which lingered through on the finish. A touch rough and unpolished at times, the whisky flavors were altogether well-composed and balanced. I loved that the whisky avoided the oak brutalism of some American single malts while playfully combining various casks. For a core product, I like this quite a bit.  Yes, it was a bit youthful, but the flavors were often distinctive and different from what one finds elsewhere on the American single malt scene.

Overall, my second whisky from Cedar Ridge and a very different dram than the new oak, sherry-finished monster I tried from Lost Lantern. I am definitely more curious to try products from the Iowa-based operation and get a better feel for their house style.

Final Score: 73.

---

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.