bigwhitemike
Cedar Ridge High Rye Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon — Iowa, USA
Reviewed
December 20, 2019 (edited June 8, 2021)
20 Barrel Project 2019
58% Corn, 34% Rye, 8% Barley
Tasted Barrels No. 7 (Bubbles, KCMO) and 20 (Gomer’s, KCMO).
Relatively deep copper orange color, but lighter in the glass with a generally thin body and narrow legs. Traditional rye nose with hay, menthol, muted cinnamon, cream, and chili peppers. Clean and pure - can snuff deeply with no flash of burn.
Nicely spiced on the palate. Again chili peppers and cream are assertive, but allspice, anise, and especially clove make a bold appearance. A splash of vanilla. Only modest sweetness at any point through the tasting experience. Cracked black pepper, menthol, and a gentle barrel char note wash the palate and linger quite prominently on the finish. Cloves outlast the others.
Overall it is quite spicy; somewhat more than many of the mainstream barely legal rye whiskies. A surprisingly well-made dram for small-market Iowa. Not a knockout winner, but one heck of a value at $30 for a 46% single barrel craft bourbon with zero ethanol on the nose (scored the Bubbles one for $20 on clearance - one of 4 remaining bottles).
30.0
USD
per
Bottle
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
@Ctrexman need to try their single malt offering(s), I have a feeling I will like them. Have not had the standard bourbon but I wouldn't be surprised to confirm your take. I think this experimental batch, despite its flaws, is likely better, and more memorable. I still have two bottles stashed away of a malted rye store pick that is truly sublime.
I liked their single malt and wheat whiskey but did not care for the Iowa bourbon
@MichaelC that’s crazy. I guess CR is still under the radar. Either way, a sure sign of a phenomenal inventory when you have no option but to tease a limited release craft single barrel for the price of Kentucky Gentleman. Not in my neck of the woods by any stretch, but apparently I need to get up to Gladstone and help them clear some shelf space.
It's clearanced $10 a bottle at Bubbles ... excellent and total steal for such a great product.
@Ctrexman really enjoyed the bottle. While I would have said a $30 bottle was an investment 3 years ago its par for the course now. If you get the chance to try cedar ridge, they are legit. No regrets on the investment. Not a dessert dram but noting to be scared of. Killed my first bottle tonight and opened the second!
Nice review Mike, I prefer some sweetness but this sounds pretty good