Named distillery of the year in 2017 by the American Distillery Institute, Cedar Ridge Distillery, located in Swisher, Iowa, has consistently produced award-winning whiskey for years. As Iowa's first distillery to open since prohibition in 2005, their commitment to innovation and consistency has produced quality whiskey with a loyal consumer base that many craft distilleries dream of having. Although, I would argue the word "loyal" is an understatement when it comes to the residents of Iowa. If you've ever experienced an Iowa Hawkeyes Football game (which I have; the University of Iowa is my alma mater, after all), then you know that Iowans show up with full passion for anything they support. They've certainly shown up for Cedar Ridge through the years, keeping their home state Cedar Ridge bourbon as the number-one-selling bourbon bottle in the state of Iowa since 2020. This is pretty remarkable when you think of the big dogs like Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, and Wild Turkey, all being outsold by a local craft distillery.
As the craft distillery movement gained momentum across the United States, Jeff Quint, 9th generation master farmer, and his son, Murphy Quint, master distiller and blender, leveraged a noticeable trend in the consumer market and began producing American single malt. A trend Murphy Quint could easily lean into with his previous work experience at Stranahan's in Colorado. The QuintEssential American single malt is a classic pot-distilled 100% malted barley mash bill finished in a variety of casks married in a solera vatting system, which has garnered quite a bit of attention as of late.
In a continued effort to stand out in a growing market of American single malts, Cedar Ridge has launched a limited-release series of the QuintEssential with the goal of "highlighting some of our favorite and unique single malts." The third of the special releases to date is called "The Untitled Cigar Malt Project." On the Cedar Ridge website, Quint explains the importance of cask finished blending:
While each cask plays an important role in the blend, the peated malt delivers an important feature. Its smoky influence, though subtle due to being blended with non-peated single malts, lingers long on the finish, a transition that emerges after the initial notes of sherry and Madeira have faded. This was a key element to the project, achieving a finish that lingers pleasantly, much like the subtle hint of smoke you might experience long after savoring a cigar. This is whiskey I've envisioned for a long time, and I thorougly enjoyed putting it together for you enjoyment.
I want to echo my fellow reviewer's sentiment regarding the independent reviews we write here. It's our joy and pleasure to provide you with the best, most thorough, and consistent reviews for whisk(e)y of all types. Nick said it best: "American single malt happens to be a category that really intrigues and excites the writing team here." It's for this reason that I am thankful Cedar Ridge was able to provide this bottle for a review with no strings attached, and it will be explored in accordance with our editorial policy. How will Cedar Ridge's latest special release land amongst the other rising stars in the vast sky of new American single malts? Let's find out!
Company on Label: Cedar Ridge Distillery
Whiskey Type: American Single Malt Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 100% malted barley
Proof: 114.9°
Age: NAS
Further identification: First aged in Cedar Ridge ex-bourbon barrels, this multiple-year blending project was finished in Cedar Ridge V (a Madeira-inspired dessert wine), First Fill Amontillado Sherry, New French Oak, New American Oak – Char 3, and Peated Malt finished in Ruby Port and is available at an MSRP of $99.99
Nose: It's clear from the first nosing that this pour is about to command all of my attention from start to finish. Rich, plump figs and dark red grapes take my hand and guide me to a beachside barbeque with a sea salt breeze dancing across my cheeks. The slightest hint of smoke laces through the air, like a faraway campfire, so subtle yet complementary and almost expected. Deeper inhales bring forth more creamy and bready notes while also highlighting a bright and balanced effervescence that has me twirling to a tune meant for only this pour. A few swirls release a beautiful barrel funk that reminds me of a distant memory of what dusty old single malt smells like. Wowza, I am mesmerized by the complexity of this glass that is simultaneously quite approachable.
After a sip, I smell rich fruit pie, fresh from the oven. Is that a sparkler? Yes! It has a sulfur-like smell, not off-putting at all but whimsical, like the smoke dancing off the crackle of the childhood summer staple. The empty glass smells of ocean-washed rocks, cooling barbeque coals, and the inside of a Little Debbie hand pie wrapper.
Palate: Pure velvet and cream, and wow, that sherry weaves beautifully in with the peated malt. The smoke is subtle, like a sweet compliment from a cherished lover. This whiskey is blushing. Or maybe that's me because, my goodness, I am smitten. Another sip is a tip-toe down creaky wood stairs for a midnight snack of toasted bread and grape jam with the perfect amount of melted butter. Creamy fig lingers on the tip of my tongue as mellow pepper spice moves casually to the back of my throat and spreads itself ever so slowly downward. And this finish, oh my, this is hand-holding in a dark movie theater with no intention of letting go. Smoke from the last wisps of a well-worn campfire lingers on my tongue, complimented perfectly with a plum and blackberry tart you rarely order off the menu but couldn't resist because of the description. As I approach my last sip, still rich with sweet and spicy goodness, I'm already dreaming of the next time I'll visit this bottle.
TL;DR: a complex yet approachable sip, this is the artistry of balanced blending
Rating: 4.5/5
This bottle is the game-changer I've been waiting for in the American single malt category! Murphy Quint's expertise in American single malts shines bright with this offering. The blending skills exposed in just one pour highlight the complexity of flavors in a way that feels inevitable and equally exciting. Cedar Ridge has produced a stellar American single malt with their Untitled Cigar Project. I'll be waiting with bated breath for future releases, but for now, I'm over the moon that this exceptional bottle of ASM is on my shelf.
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