Midwest Invasion

Oh, you thought we were done with the Cut Spike? No way! There's a serious micro-scene happening in the midwest right now and they're reaching out for west coast K&L to collaborate! Check out David OG's latest find. You can read his notes below:

Cedar Ridge K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Iowa Bourbon $59.99 - Amid all the controversy in the craft whiskey market these days (e.g. sourced whiskey, label laws, ridiculous prices, and all too often poor quality) a choice few distillers have sat quietly back and focused on producing excellent quality product and trying to sell it for a relatively reasonable price. Cedar Ridge is heading for that select group. Founded in 2005 by Jeff & Laurie Quint, they distill all their products in an 80 gallon European pot still. Their bourbon was released in 2010, the FIRST Iowa Bourbon (wow) to be released since prohibition and they've been aging stocks for over 7 years now. The mashbill is 75% corn, 15% rye and 10% malted barley and Cedar Ridge fills 53 gallon new charred Missouri Oak barrels. This is, for me, is one of the few bourbons wholly produced by one of the new wave of craft distillers to rival the quality of the industry leaders in Kentucky. It is one of the first craft distilleries to offer us bourbon over 4 years old in single full size barrels at full strength. The nose is all sticky caramel and spice. Hints of cinnamon covered apples, dried underbrush, and sweet oak. Textural nuance at the full 57.9%, showing a medium to full body that turns up the spices and sweet grain notes on the tongue whiles balancing with a mild drying oak and a great rich cocoa finish. There is no question that the little distillery in Swisher, Iowa is one to watch. -- David Othenin-Girard

- David Driscoll