Whisky: Cedar Ridge 4 Year, Lost Lantern 2021 Release

Country/Region: United States/Iowa

ABV: 57.7%

Cask: New American Oak (2Y), Sherry Butt (2Y)

Age: 4 Years (Bottled 2021)

Nose: Dry baking spice, dark cherries, chopped nuts, macerated coconut, waxy crayons, licorice candies, Graham cracker pie crust, subtle leather and dry oak.

Palate: Medium-bodied, oily, stewed fruit, cinnamon and spice, hints of chicory, chocolate, licorice and caramel, slight waxy, drying and spirited.

Finish: Medium-length and drying with dried fruit and cinnamon spice.

Score: 5-6

Mental Image: Cher Cover Band

Narrative & Notes: The aroma reminded me of Christmas candy making as a child when my mom would roll out candies full of chopped pecans and macerated coconut, which were dipped in dark chocolate— add in the notion of nutmeg and cinnamon, and that is what this dram delivered. Further in were notes of dark red cherries, waxy crayons, licorice candies (Twizzlers, really), graham cracker pie crust, a kiss of salt, and a subtle savory layer of leather and dry oak. Medium-bodied and oily, the palate offered up notes of stewed plums, figs, and dates with cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, and nutmeg. A touch of chicory, milk chocolate, licorice, and caramel complemented the dominant red fruits at different moments. Slightly waxy, drying, and spirited at the end with crayons, cinnamon, and ginger. The finish was medium to long and drying with oaky tannins, dried fruits, and bright cinnamon spice.

I admit the mental image on this has no real relation to the malt, this was one of those drams that did not remind me of anything specific, and I could not think of anything clever to say about another sherry-forward malt. I thought the aroma on this was interesting, especially some of the coconut elements, which were much stronger when I first poured the dram and dissipated as crayons and licorice appeared. While the aroma was varied, the flavor profile was pretty bog standard for a sherry bomb. Depending on your preferences, that may not be a bad thing at all!

Overall, I was impressed at the quality of this malt; it was very well-balanced for the age, abv., and cask-driven nature of the profile. I am no sherry aficionado, but I thought this stood up well with competition from Scotland or the sherry bombs more globally. I wish a bit more of the malty character shone through; it was more apparent on the nose, but the palate appeared to be pretty much all cask.

Image Credit: Lost Lantern