Cedar Ridge Wheat Whiskey

Wow!!! If you are whiskey/whisky drinker who appreciates different styles, you MUST try this. I have had wheat whiskey and wheated bourbons before, but they are nothing like this. This is very unique and good. From the first whiff, and even more so in the mouth, this takes me back to my mother's kitchen; when it was filled with the aromas of fresh bread dough proofing near the heat of the stove, then being cut in small balls to form what will be fresh hot dinner rolls slathered in butter. All of that home-comfort is in each taste and swallow of this delightful whiskey. This is really a single MALTED wheat (not barley). That malting of the wheat must be the secret to this unique flavor. This is a soft, very tasty in a unique way, easy drinking whiskey. You may not love it, but you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Cedar Ridge appears to be an up and comer in their few years as a distillery, winning several awards and named Distillery of The Year in 2017. According to their web site the whiskey is available in 17 states, mostly the Midwest, deep south, NE, and west coast by looks of the map they show. Hope you can be lucky.

This whiskey is growing on me. I bought it after thoroughly enjoying the Cedar Ridge Bourbon finished in port barrels, which is terrific. This is not that. It’s very light (just 40% abv) but it’s approachable and tastes, well, like a sweet grassy wheat field on a summer day with a little vanilla added in. No burn at the end. Do I like this over bourbon? No way, but it’s nice and soft for those kinda days.

Batch 28 Aired it for 10 to 20 minutes in a glencairn before tasting. Color: golden yellow brown Nose: faint sugars, sweetness like a sugared breakfast cereal; floral and herbal notes Neat: predominantly herbal and floral flavors; evaporates quickly on tongue leaving a mint/menthol-like coolness; finish is quick leaving long light warm hug Rocks: sweetness increases; herbal/floral notes diminish

Had it in a bar in Des Moines. Had never heard of it and was pleasantly surprised. Was a big hit with me and my whiskey loving dinner guests. Yes it’s sweet, but has some fruit notes, mostly pear, to go with the toast, honey notes. Not as one note as I expected. Looking to add it to my bottle collection.

Really light and polite. No burn or aftertaste to speak of. Just a bit of malty sweetness and floral notes on the nose.

I can taste the hay/dusty wheat off the trailer. Nothing too special about this one, but it’s there when you need it.