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.