Cedar Ridge Distillery, renowned for its widely praised American single-malt whiskies, is also making waves with its innovative bourbon expressions. Borrowing a page from Scotch producers and a growing number of bourbon distilleries, Cedar Ridge is pumping out some unique and well-received bourbon whiskeys. These include a Port Cask finished bottling, one finished in maple syrup barrels, and now, in Amontillado Sherry Casks. Although these whiskeys start out as the same juice, the final product is individualistic, fresh, and exciting.

Tasting Notes

Cedar Ridge Amontillado Sherry Finished Bourbon is aged four-and-a-half years in American oak and then transferred to first-fill Amontillado Sherry casks imported from Jerez, Spain. I regularly encounter sherry-finished Scotch and Irish whiskeys, of which I’m quite fond. The application in the bourbon category is much less common, and I’m always glad to see it in a space that can seem repetitive.

The sherry accents shine brightly but are not overbearing; the sturdy base of 74% Iowa-grown corn, 14% malted rye, and 12% malted barley stands strong. Sherry-born aromas of raising and almond accompany the traditional notes of vanilla and oak. The sherry influence is notable on the palate with a central, intensely nutty almond sweetness, surrounded by buttery pastry, dried fruit, and well-aged wood notes. The 115 proof (57.5% ABV) provides a solid support base for the distinct sweetness, promotes the spice notes, and sharpens the malt’s roundness and creamy nuttiness. At the finish, I get an unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable note of licorice.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned above, bourbon whiskeys tend to offer much of the same across the category, given its production restrictions. Cedar Ridge’s devotion to experimentation is evident in this latest expression, and I’m eager to see what they come up with next. The Cedar Ridge Amontillado Sherry Finished Bourbon provides a far-above-average bourbon that offers something new without reinventing itself. The sherry profile is assertive but not domineering, and at an MSRP of $55, this limited release is well worth taking advantage of.