It’s normal to think of Iowa as the home of corn. It is. About 16% of the nation’s corn is grown in Iowa. Jeff Quint understood this as an advantage when he founded Cedar Ridge distillery in Iowa in 2005. The distillery has since produced some outstanding products, especially their bourbons, which we know by definition must have at least 51% corn on the mashbill.
Their Double Barrel Rye has a mashbill of 85% rye, 12% corn, and 3% malted barley which is distilled using a copper pot still manufactured in Germany. The #3 charred barrels are filled at 120 proof. When normal four plus year aging is completed, this rye expression enters a second new identical barrel for another round of aging at ten additional months.
Cedar Ridge Double Barrel Rye
Small Batch – Limited Release
ABV: 52.5% (105 proof/750ml)
SRP: $59.99
Tasting Highlights
Bold, complex, & balanced.
Nose: 91/100
Grain forward with bready notes and baking spice. Perhaps a wisp of peppermint and red apples.
Palate: 93/100
The thick body and rich mouthfeel is likely a result of that copper still. Some delicate heat lending to the 105 proof point gives way to oak and tobacco notes. Black coffee lurks in the background. There is a sweetness that leads us into some delicate herbal notes.
Finish: 92/100
The oak and tobacco notes linger. There is also just a hint of sweetness that persists, which reinforces the overall complexity of this whiskey. Finally, clove notes close out the experience.
Overall: 92/100
Cedar Ridge Double Rye is a definitely the fill-bodied rye expression that it promises to be. There is a ton of wonderful, rich oakiness here as expected. The oak is balanced well and kept in check so as not to drown out the complexities of this expression. This is a definitive double barrel rye that you will want to pick up.
As a native Minnesotan, rye is certainly not the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Iowa. Even so, Cedar Ridge has produced an outstanding Double Barrel Rye that rivals most of what I keep on my shelf.
Who knew?
