Distillery: Cedar Ridge Distillery—Swisher, IA
Proof: 47.0 (94.0% ABV)
Age: Three Plus Years with Ten Months Minimum Secondary Finish
Mashbill: 74% Corn, 14% Malted Barley, 12% 2-Row Malted Barley
MSRP: $60
Corn Country Meets the Cellar
There’s a moment in Field of Dreams when Shoeless Joe Jackson is awestruck by what is happening and the setting in which it’s happening. Shoeless Joe turns to Ray Kinsella and asks, ‘Is this heaven?’ Ray responds, ‘No… it’s Iowa.’ That scene, those lines were not about baseball—it was about belonging, about place, and about the quiet things that carry meaning.
Cedar Ridge Distillery has become a quiet powerhouse in America’s craft whiskey scene. Tucked into the hills of eastern Iowa near Swisher since 2005, it is the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition.
The distillery sits not far from Cedar Rapids and the Cedar River, and the gently elevated terrain gives the brand its “ridge” identity.
All of their bourbon is built around Iowa corn—specifically Dent No. 2, the variety most commonly grown across the state’s farmland. For the Quint founding family, using any other corn varietal would betray the farmers who shape both their local community and their family’s history.
Over the past decade, Cedar Ridge has grown steadily from regional acclaim to national recognition. Their American single malt program continues to impress critics, while their annual double barrel releases have picked up gold medals at national competitions. With distribution in three-quarters of the United States, Cedar Ridge is a rare craft distillery that continues to scale without losing sight of their grain-to-glass commitment.
Their Port Cask Finish Bourbon builds on Cedar Ridge’s tried-and-true foundation with their flagship Iowa bourbon and finishes in recently dumped port wine barrels, many of which come from their own winemaking operation. The use of malted rye instead of un-malted, aims to soften the traditional rye spice and peppery character and instead imparts a subtle sweetness and heightened floral notes.
Cedar Ridge Port Cask Finish Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4/5
The Nose opens with baked cherry pie, vanilla bean, and soft notes of red fruit preserves. There are hints of toasted grain underneath, but the overall and dominant impression is warm and sweet, as the port barrel influence lifts the aromas into dessert-forward territory.
Palate – 4.25/5
The first sip brings dark red berries, light cinnamon, brown sugar, and butterscotch. At mid-Palate it turns slightly tangy with notes of orange peel and dry oak spice, adding a wonderful welcoming contrast to the rounded sweetness. The texture is smooth and lightly syrupy—full-bodied without being heavy. I’d love to know what five-to-six more proof points would do to slightly mute the sweetness.
Finish – 4/5
The Finish lingers with soft warmth, offering notes of plum, light pepper, and a final note of dark chocolate drizzled over a mandarin orange create a tapering end that never grows sharp or bitter. The port cask seems to add a significant depth without becoming dominant and rounds off the pour in a balanced and inviting way.
Value – 4.5/5
This $60 bottle offers significant value for drinkers who appreciate a unique Finish that seems to complement the base bourbon instead of overwhelming or covering it. The port wine cask provides softness, layered fruit, and subtle spice, without losing the bourbon’s identity.
Cedar Ridge Port Cask Finish Bourbon is a great entry point for those who want to explore port-finished whiskeys—but it is most satisfying for those who lean toward classic, fruit-forward bourbons.
As Cedar Ridge continues expanding into new markets, this expression shows they lead with flavor while tinkering with finesse. It’s an easygoing pour that still delivers complexity—and a smart pick for both sipping and sharing. In a whiskey climate full of experimental finishes and endless blends, Cedar Ridge’s restraint—choosing not to drown out their foundation–reminds us that quiet decisions, made with care, still carry real meaning.
Cedar Ridge Port Cask Finish Bourbon Review: The Verdict
Cedar Ridge Port Cask Finish Bourbon is a great entry point for those who want to explore port-finished whiskeys—but it is most satisfying for those who lean toward classic, fruit-forward bourbons.
As Cedar Ridge continues expanding into new markets, this expression shows they lead with flavor while tinkering with finesse. It’s an easygoing pour that still delivers complexity—and a smart pick for both sipping and sharing. In a whiskey climate full of experimental finishes and endless blends, Cedar Ridge’s restraint—choosing not to drown out their foundation–reminds us that quiet decisions, made with care, still carry real meaning.
Verdict – 4.2/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.
