Cedar Ridge The QuintEssential American Single Malt

The red wine finishing is noticeable in both positive and negative ways. This isn't my preferred single malt, but it presents clearly and is an enjoyable drink. Well done for a craft distillery from a less common location, and it will be a definite hit for those who enjoy a spicier profile with those red wine barrel characteristics. Rich tawny red-gold. Grapey with a pleasant hint of spice on the nose. A little tart. Palate builds on the nose. Grapes that approach grappa, persistent cinnamon, red fruit, and the vein of tartness remains. Artificial sweetener. Walnut. The sweet start is overcome by a developing spice that lingers. Shares a common trait with other products from that distillery. A bit young overall but a nice drink if you want some assertiveness.

This whiskey is precisely what one desires from an American Single Malt. It excels in all aspects, from the aromas to the pleasant, chewy viscosity derived from the ever-evolving flavor complexity during sipping. I own batches 2 and 5, and while they differ slightly, both possess the aforementioned qualities. I would consider this equivalent to my Lagavulin 16 year old. I can't fathom anyone rating this below a 4; it's a solid 4 to 5 in my estimation.

Batch 12: A fruit orchard on the nose, primarily apples and plums, with some nuts and a touch of grass. The palate presents oak with a background of fruit and subtle sweetness, transitioning to pepper. The pepper gradually fades, along with the fruit, leading to a long finish. This distillery masters the vatting and solera casking. Aside from possibly offering some nuttiness in the aroma, I don't detect the peat (from half of the distillate).

Grassy, sugary grape and cherry brandy on the nose, very fruity with a hint of lemon curd. Lemon custard on the palate, mildly sweet and smoky with a little vanilla. A salty leather note appears, making me think I'm drinking scotch. Cinnamon and clove on the finish with a lingering peat aftertaste. It belongs among the top American whiskeys like Barrell, Balcones, Ransom, High West…

My go-to blended American single malt. The diverse range of cask finishes contributing to the final product ensures there's always something new to discover, yet there's a balance that prevents it from being muddled. None of the flavors are particularly challenging, so I anticipate this will appeal to a broad spectrum of palates.

Caramel, spicy cinnamon candy, and cocoa nuts. After a 10-minute rest, the nose reveals stone fruits with chocolate, pepper, spice (nutmeg and cinnamon), caramel, vanilla, orange and lemon, walnut, and smoke. The taste starts with chocolate, smoke, and stone fruit, followed by pepper, nuts, spice, and vanilla, concluding with caramel, vanilla, pepper, and chocolate.