Cedar Ridge High Rye Bourbon Whiskey

20 Barrel Project 2019 58% Corn, 34% Rye, 8% Barley Tasted Barrels No. 7 (Bubbles, KCMO) and 20 (Gomer’s, KCMO). Relatively deep copper orange color, but lighter in the glass with a generally thin body and narrow legs. Traditional rye nose with hay, menthol, muted cinnamon, cream, and chili peppers. Clean and pure - can snuff deeply with no flash of burn. Nicely spiced on the palate. Again chili peppers and cream are assertive, but allspice, anise, and especially clove make a bold appearance. A splash of vanilla. Only modest sweetness at any point through the tasting experience. Cracked black pepper, menthol, and a gentle barrel char note wash the palate and linger quite prominently on the finish. Cloves outlast the others. Overall it is quite spicy; somewhat more than many of the mainstream barely legal rye whiskies. A surprisingly well-made dram for small-market Iowa. Not a knockout winner, but one heck of a value at $30 for a 46% single barrel craft bourbon with zero ethanol on the nose (scored the Bubbles one for $20 on clearance - one of 4 remaining bottles).