Lost Lantern Anniversary Cask | Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Review

Distillery: Cedar Ridge Distilling Company – Swisher, Iowa

Proof: 117.8 (58.9% ABV)

Age: Five Years

Mashbill: 74% Corn, 14% Malted Rye, 12% 2-Row Malted Barley

MSRP: $90

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Lost Lantern Brings Iowa Bourbon Into Focus

Lost Lantern’s Single Cask Series continues its spotlighting exceptional independent distilleries across the country.  Cedar Ridge Distilling, the pride of Swisher, Iowa reportedly once outsold major Kentucky brands across its home state.

Drawn from a single cask that was produced and aged entirely in Iowa’s Midwestern climate of cold winters and long summers.  Bottled at cask strength as part of Lost Lantern’s 2025 Anniversary Collection, it’s a chance to taste what happens when Iowa corn meets unfiltered intensity.

Lost Lantern Anniversary Cask | Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.3/5

Caramel apple. Lemon peel. Sweet cream. Fresh-cut oak.

Strengths:  Opening notes are bright led by caramel apple sweetness balanced out by a zest of fresh citrus.  An inviting blend of dessert warmth with some light astringency.
Why It’s Not Higher:  A trace of lemon sharpness briefly intrudes before the sweetness takes over.
Rating Justification:   The Nose is vibrant if not entirely refined.

Palate – 4.2/5

Caramel.  White chocolate.  Creamy texture.  Hints of lemon zest.  Light oak.

Strengths:  Rich and creamy—think mix of caramel and white chocolate mousse.  The malted rye gives enough to keep the sweetness from dominating.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Mid-Palate momentarily dips from a lack of density or spice.  Still, the integration of flavors give you confidence in the quality of this bourbon.
Rating Justification:  An enjoyable combination of grain sweetness and proof heat.

Finish – 4.4/5

Sweet plum.  Vanilla cream.  Light oak spice.  Gentle citrus fade.  

Strengths:  Builds slowly with a pleasant fruit sweetness—think ripe plum plus toasted sugar—before moving into a long fade.  No tannic edges here.
Why It’s Not Higher:  While long and clean, it doesn’t quite build into fireworks or crescendo of oakiness or spice that would elevate it higher.
Rating Justification:  Impressive and persistent sweet notes.  No tannic harsh or bitter notes that sometimes accompany single barrel releases.

Value – 4.0/5

At $90, this 223-bottle single cask is positioned for enthusiasts who appreciate the authenticity of craft origins and barrel strength.  Compared with other single-barrel releases from Lost Lantern lineup, it lands squarely within the sweet spot of age and proof.  The context of Iowa terroir origins, corn-driven sweetness, cool-weather maturation, and Cedar Ridge’s increasing reputation adds some inherent value that goes beyond simple tasting notes.

Lost Lantern Anniversary Cask | Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Bourbon Review: The Verdict

This Lost Lantern single cask from Cedar Ridge brings forth a sweet, creamy, and fruit-forward expression.  Following up with a long and clean finish that yields none of the bitterness that sometimes appears in craft bourbons.  While it doesn’t have the depth or oak structure of older releases, it’s a well-made and highly satisfying pour. Shop now.

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