Traverse City American Cherry Edition Whiskey 750ML

Traverse City American Cherry Edition Whiskey 750ML is a cherry-infused American whiskey bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) from Michigan's Traverse City Whiskey Company. What distinguishes this expression is its use of locally grown Montmorency tart cherries, steeped directly in bourbon made from corn, rye, and malted barley, then aged in American oak barrels.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35% (70 Proof)  |  Origin: Traverse City, Michigan, USA  |  Cherry-Infused Whiskey  |  Distillery: Traverse City Whiskey Company

Production & Heritage

Traverse City Whiskey Company operates in northern Michigan's Grand Traverse region, one of the most prolific tart cherry-growing areas in the United States. The base spirit follows a traditional American whiskey mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley, aged in American oak barrels. For the Cherry Edition, whole Montmorency cherries sourced from the distillery's own farms are added directly into the finished bourbon and steeped for approximately three days — a notably brief infusion period compared to the months-long finishing processes common in flavored whiskey production. This short, intense steeping is designed to impart bright cherry character without overwhelming the underlying whiskey.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cherry dominates from the first nosing — ripe, sweet, and bordering on medicinal in its intensity. Underneath, softer notes of maize, caramel, and a slight menthol-like coolness emerge as the glass opens up.

Taste: The palate enters sweet and cherry-forward, with the fruit immediately taking center stage. Mid-palate brings supporting layers of vanilla, light rye spice, and a pleasant oakiness. There is a nutty, slightly creamy quality that rounds out the sweetness, along with a faint sour tang reminiscent of the Montmorency cherry's natural tartness.

Finish: The finish is short, closing with cinnamon warmth and lingering cherry. The lower proof keeps things gentle, with minimal heat on the way down.

How to Drink the Cherry Edition

At 70 proof, this whiskey drinks easily on the rocks or chilled, where the cold tempers the sweetness and lets the cherry-vanilla interplay shine. It also works well in cocktails that benefit from built-in fruit sweetness. A Whiskey Sour gains a natural cherry backbone without the need for grenadine. A Manhattan variation using this as the base replaces the usual maraschino garnish with cherry flavor woven into the spirit itself. An Old Fashioned built with the Cherry Edition needs only a dash of bitters and an orange peel — the fruit component is already present.

Best For

• Introducing whiskey-curious drinkers to American whiskey through a fruit-forward, approachable entry point
• Building dessert-style cocktails without added syrups or liqueurs
• Gifting to someone who enjoys flavored spirits or has a sweet palate
• After-dinner sipping alongside chocolate or fruit-based desserts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Cherry Edition taste like? It is a decidedly cherry-forward whiskey with prominent sweetness, vanilla undertones, mild rye spice, and a short finish marked by cinnamon and more cherry. The overall profile leans sweet and fruity rather than spirit-driven.

How does the Cherry Edition compare to Red Stag? Both are cherry-flavored American whiskeys, and consumers frequently draw comparisons between the two. The Cherry Edition uses whole Montmorency cherries steeped in bourbon, while Jim Beam's Red Stag uses cherry liqueur blended with bourbon — resulting in a slightly different texture and cherry character, though both land in the sweet, fruit-dominant category.

Is the Cherry Edition good for cocktails? Yes — its pronounced cherry sweetness and lower 70-proof strength make it particularly effective in cocktails like Whiskey Sours, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds, where it can reduce or eliminate the need for added fruit syrups.

Where is the Cherry Edition made? It is produced by Traverse City Whiskey Company in Traverse City, Michigan, located in the heart of the state's Grand Traverse cherry-growing region. The Montmorency cherries used in production come from the distillery's own local farms.

What foods pair well with the Cherry Edition? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry-vanilla sweetness. Aged gouda or sharp cheddar offer a savory contrast to the fruit. Cherry pie or cherry cobbler echo the spirit's dominant note. Smoked pork tenderloin with a cherry glaze creates a cohesive pairing, and vanilla ice cream served alongside turns it into a simple dessert course.

What sizes does the Cherry Edition come in? The standard bottle is 750ML. Availability of other sizes may vary by market.

Is the Cherry Edition worth the price? It positions as an accessible, mid-range flavored whiskey. For drinkers who enjoy fruit-forward spirits and cherry-driven cocktails, it delivers strong flavor for its price tier — though traditional whiskey drinkers seeking oak and grain complexity may find it too sweet.

Why the Cherry Edition?

What separates this expression from the crowded flavored whiskey shelf is provenance. The Montmorency cherries come from the distillery's own farms in one of America's premier cherry-growing regions, giving the product a genuine connection to its ingredient rather than relying on artificial flavoring. The three-day whole-cherry steeping method is unusually direct — there are no cherry liqueurs or extracts blended in after the fact. At 70 proof, it is intentionally built for easy drinking and cocktail flexibility rather than high-proof sipping. For anyone drawn to cherry-flavored whiskey with real fruit at its core, this Michigan-made expression delivers exactly what it promises.