Cedar Ridge 21st Anniversary Bourbon Review

 

Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery is a grain-to-glass craft distillery located in Swisher, Iowa. Founded in 2005 by Jeff Quint, Cedar Ridge is the first Iowa-licensed distillery since Prohibition. He came from a long line of farmers and is an eighth-generation distiller. He began his operation, realizing it was time for Iowa to earn its place on the Bourbon distilling map.

 

Jeff and his son, Murphy, the Master Blender, have made quite a name for themselves. Murphy cut his teeth at Stranahan’s in Colorado. Here they both are, 21 years later, and Cedar Ridge celebrates this milestone with its second Anniversary Edition Bourbon release.

 

“This year’s Anniversary Edition features some truly incredible cask-finished bourbons, including a few I’m working with for the first time. I wanted to keep a similar foundation to last year’s release with sherry and Tokaji finishes, but I chose PX sherry to work with instead of my usual Amontillado. The Madeira and Napa Cabernet casks are what really push this blend in a new direction. The 2025 edition was our most popular release ever — I’m proud of how this one builds on that and excited for people to experience the 2026 version.” - Murphy Quint, Master Distiller

 

What makes Anniversary Edition special is that it goes beyond their classic Bourbon; this one underwent a complex finishing cycle, using vintage Madeira, Napa Cabernet, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Tawny Port, and Tokaji casks.

 

Ah, yes, Tokaji. Tokaji is a wine from Hungary; it must come from the Tokaj region. Neighboring Slovakia may also legally use the term, provided it follows the established Hungarian methods. Six grape varietals are used in the production of Tokaji: Furmint, Hárslevelű, Yellow Muscat, Zéta, Kövérszőlő, and Kabar. While there are several types of Tokaji wines, the most famous and revered is Aszú. Aszú is made from grapes subjected to noble rot. Yup, you read that right. Rot. It is a fungus that grows on the grape and creates a sweet, luxurious wine.

 

Last year’s edition sold out immediately. Will this year’s follow suit? I don’t have a crystal ball, but let’s #DrinkCurious and see if it is worth the effort.

 

I’m grateful to Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery for providing me with a sample of its Anniversary Edition Bourbon in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s crack her open and taste for ourselves what this is all about. 

• Whiskey Type: Iowa Straight Bourbon
• Distiller: Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% malted barley
• Cooperage: Aged in new, 53-gallon charred oak barrels, then finished in former Madeira, Napa Cabernet, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Tawny Port, and Tokaji casks
• Alcohol Content: 56% ABV (112°)
• Price per 750mL: $64.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this Bourbon neat. It looked like liquid gingerbread. A thick rim formed widely spaced, fast, bold tears.

 

Nose: After waiting for about 15 minutes for the whiskey to oxidize, I brought the glass beneath my nose and began my sniffing journey. The wine influence was unmistakable; various fruits hit my olfactory sense, including cherries, plums, plantains, orange zest, figs, and dark raisins. I also smelled rich chocolate. When I drew the air into my mouth, I tasted chocolate and figs.

 

Palate: My lips, tongue, and throat were greeted by an oily texture and a generous portion of oak. My second sip revealed notes of figs, dates, and dark chocolate on the front of my palate. The middle featured orange zest, dried cherries, and old leather, while the back featured oak, tobacco, and malt.   

 

Finish: Any moisture was sucked from my mouth and throat when I swallowed, thanks to the presence of old leather and oak. Dates, figs, chocolate, fried plantains, and dried cherries came next. It was balanced and gently warming. Near the very end, there was a punch of sherry and black pepper. The longer duration was 1:43.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Obviously, we have no idea how old the whiskey is, yet, as I’ve stressed for many years, age, like proof, is just a number. The whiskey is ready when the whiskey is ready. Cedar Ridge’s 2026 Anniversary Edition Bourbon seemed as if it was treated with kid gloves. It drank far below its stated proof, and the different notes melded into that long finish.

 

I wish that I had some of the 2025 release left so that I could compare the two. Both were fantastic; yet what’s truly crazy is how Cedar Ridge has priced this Bourbon to sell. All of these factors will contribute to this one selling out at least as fast as its predecessor. My Bottle rating is the least I can do. Cheers!  

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.