Cedar Ridge "The QuintEssential" American Single Malt
Whisky: Cedar Ridge "The QuintEssential" American Single Malt
Country/Region: United States/Iowa
ABV: 46%
Cask: Bourbon, Wine, Port
Age: 3 Years
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.
Score: 4-5 (73)
Mental Image: Grandpa Regales the Youth with Stories of Cheap Theatre Snacks
Narrative & Notes: 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.
