Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof Bourbon 750ML

Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof Bourbon 750ML is a non-chill filtered, 116-proof (58% ABV) bourbon from Iowa's Cedar Ridge Distillery in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Platinum medal at the 2023 ASCOT Awards and a 9.1 Taster Score from American Whiskey Magazine, establishing it as one of the Midwest's most recognized craft bourbons.

Quick Facts: ABV: 58% (116 Proof)  |  Origin: Swisher, Iowa, USA  |  Barrel Proof, Non-Chill Filtered  |  Distillery: Cedar Ridge Distillery

Production & Heritage

Cedar Ridge Distillery, founded in 2005 in Swisher, Iowa, holds the distinction of being Iowa's first legal distillery since Prohibition. The Barrel Proof expression uses a mashbill of 74% corn, 14% malted rye, and 12% malted barley, aged in char #3 American oak barrels inside non-climate-controlled rickhouses. Iowa's extreme seasonal temperature swings — spanning roughly 100 degrees annually — force the whiskey in and out of the wood aggressively, creating intensified barrel interaction that would be difficult to replicate in more temperate climates. The bourbon is bottled at full barrel strength without chill filtration, preserving the texture and flavor compounds exactly as they come from the cask.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cherry and vanilla arrive first, followed by layers of brown sugar, nutmeg, and dried grain. A subtle caramel-oak backbone develops beneath the sweeter notes.

Taste: The entry is rich with spiced brown sugar and snickerdoodle cookie, transitioning at mid-palate into maple syrup and dark cherry. The peak delivers oak char, warm rye spice, and baking cinnamon — dense and layered at barrel proof but never harsh. White pepper accents weave through the darker burnt maple sugar notes.

Finish: Long and warming, with charred wood and caramel lingering well after each sip. Oak tannins and a persistent spice echo carry through to the very end.

How to Drink Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof

At 116 proof, this bourbon rewards patience — start neat in a Glencairn to appreciate the full aromatic complexity, then add a few drops of water to open up the sweeter brown sugar and cherry layers. On the rocks, the dilution gradually shifts the profile from bold spice toward creamy vanilla and maple. For cocktails: an Old Fashioned benefits enormously from the barrel proof intensity, as the bourbon's snickerdoodle and cinnamon notes hold up against bitters and sugar; a Boulevardier gains dimension from the charred oak and rye spice cutting through Campari's bitterness; and a Whiskey Sour lets the cherry and maple sweetness shine through fresh citrus.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring high-quality craft distilleries outside Kentucky
• Barrel proof collectors seeking non-chill filtered, full-strength expressions
• Gifting to someone who appreciates award-winning small-batch American whiskey
• Building Old Fashioneds and stirred cocktails that demand a bold bourbon backbone

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof taste like? Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof leads with spiced brown sugar and snickerdoodle cookie flavors, moving into maple syrup, dark cherry, and oak char. The finish is long and warming with lingering caramel, charred wood, and rye spice.

How does Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof compare to Maker's Mark Cask Strength? Both are barrel proof bourbons with corn-forward mashbills, but Cedar Ridge uses 14% malted rye as its flavoring grain while Maker's Mark relies on red winter wheat, making Cedar Ridge noticeably spicier with more rye-driven baking spice. Cedar Ridge also benefits from Iowa's extreme temperature swings during aging, while Maker's matures in Kentucky's comparatively milder climate.

Is Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 116-proof strength, the non-chill filtered bottling delivers a rich, oily texture that carries complex flavors without excessive burn. A few drops of water help unlock additional sweetness for those sensitive to high proof.

Where is Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof made? Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof is distilled and aged at Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa, a small town just north of Iowa City. Founded in 2005, Cedar Ridge was Iowa's first legal distillery since Prohibition.

What foods pair well with Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the charred oak and brown sugar notes; dark chocolate truffles highlight the cherry and caramel; pecan pie mirrors the bourbon's nutmeg and maple sweetness; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the spice with savory richness; and apple crisp echoes the baking cinnamon and vanilla on the palate.

What sizes does Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof come in? Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof worth the price? Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof positions as a premium craft bourbon, and its Platinum medal at the 2023 ASCOT Awards along with a 9.1 score from American Whiskey Magazine suggest strong value relative to barrel proof expressions from larger producers at comparable price tiers.

Why Cedar Ridge Barrel Proof?

What separates this bourbon from the crowded barrel proof field is geography as much as technique. Iowa's punishing temperature extremes — from sub-zero winters to sweltering summers — drive whiskey deep into char #3 American oak and pull it back out with a ferocity that Kentucky's gentler seasons simply cannot match. The result, verified by a Platinum medal at the 2023 ASCOT Awards and a 9.1 from American Whiskey Magazine, is a dense, flavor-forward bourbon with genuine complexity at cask strength. For drinkers looking beyond the traditional bourbon belt for serious barrel proof whiskey, Cedar Ridge has made one of the most compelling arguments in American craft distilling.