Cedar Ridge's 2026 Anniversary Edition: When Finished Bourbon Gets It Right

As Cedar Ridge Distillery celebrates its 21st birthday, the 2026 Anniversary Edition offers another glimpse into how this Midwest craft distillery is shaping its identity as an Iowa whiskey producer. Last year marked the inaugural release of this anniversary edition for its twentieth year, by bringing together Iowa bourbon finished in Tokaji, Ruby Port, Amontillado Sherry, and second-use new American oak barrels. The result was a bourbon designed to tell the story of Cedar Ridge's past, that of winemaking, while showcasing the cask finishing techniques that have helped define its place in the whiskey Industry.

What was once assumed to be a one-and-done release, Cedar Ridge has done it again, this time with their 2026 anniversary edition to celebrate their 21st year and "dedicated to our fans in and outside of Iowa and this place we call home".

Rather than simply putting an anniversary number on a bottle, Cedar Ridge had decided to use each edition as a way to capture a moment in its history. As an author and storyteller myself, I absolutely adore that this year's bottle represents another chapter in a story that is still being written.

A big thank you to the team at Cedar Ridge Distillery for generously sending a bottle of the 2026 Anniversary Edition. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to experience this release and share my thoughts honestly.

---

Company on Label: Cedar Ridge Distillery

Whiskey Type: Straight bourbon whiskey

Mash Bill Percentages: 74% corn, 14% rye, 12% malted barley

Proof: 112° (56%)

Age: NAS

MSRP: $64.99

Further Identification: This straight bourbon whiskey is finished in Madeira, Napa Cabernet, Tokaji, Tawny Port, and Pedro Ximénex Sherry Casks

---

Nose: Robust and rich, the nose opens with cinnamon Red Hots and black pepper before quickly melting into warm bread pudding topped with plump golden raisins, followed by a whiff of cooling peach cobbler fresh from a cast-iron skillet. A few swirls release a delicate yet distinct essence of fig jam and sparkling rosé. This nose reminds me of moving from a grumpy mood into a light, happy one. As I explore the glass further, I find a distinct craftiness I absolutely love—wet oak bark, damp soil, and fields of sun-warmed wildflowers. There’s a deep liveliness here, with the wine influence clear without ever overpowering the bourbon distillate.

After a few sips, the aromas spread through the glass, settling into something softer and more relaxed before a few more swirls bring back that initial effervescence. This pour certainly knows how to keep me engaged. With the liquid almost gone, I find myself moving through varying degrees of sugar, cinnamon, black pepper, fig, plum, and even a hint of honey. The empty glass leaves behind rain-soaked grapevines and weathered oak floorboards.

Palate: My first sip of the day, and this whiskey has a lot to say. This is unmistakably bourbon finished in wine casks, yet neither element tries to overpower the other. The palate follows the nose, opening with the bourbon's familiar sugary cinnamon character before a wave of juicy fruit blooms across the tongue. Mid-palate brings deep, rich notes of fig and plum, beautifully intertwined with graham cracker and milk chocolate. The finish is warm, long, and pleasantly persistent, with unexpected pops of root beer and lime, though both prove rather ephemeral. With each additional sip, the influence of the wine cask finishes becomes more pronounced, but always in a balanced and welcoming way. As I make my way toward the bottom of the glass, I find myself transported to a beachside bar with a glass of red sangria in hand, generously garnished with orange, lime, and apple. Maybe even a cocktail umbrella. What a journey this pour has taken me on.

TL;DR: An expressive and evolving pour that you won't soon forget

---

Rating: 4/5

Really good. I want one of these on my shelf.

Finished whiskey, or bourbon in this case, is so much more than dumping distillate from one barrel into another and letting it hang out until it's "ready." As someone who has tasted her fair share of finished bourbon, from the exceptional to the not-so-great, I understand just how fickle the process can be—and how much more complicated it becomes when blending enters the equation. Murphy Quint and the team at Cedar Ridge have continued to prove themselves, in my mind, as people who understand how to strike that delicate balance. This release is a prime example of what well-executed, well-balanced finished bourbon can be.

---

WRITTEN BY: JES SMYTH

With what started as a genuine curiosity for the “water of life,” fiction writer and published author Jes Smyth has nurtured her enthusiasm for whiskey ever since. From learning the vast history of whiskey making to celebrating the industry's passion, she tastes each sip with intention and purpose, expressing the intricacies of whiskey in a relatable and heartfelt way. She is thrilled to be a contributing writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com and hopes her words will resonate with those ready to explore the beautiful world of whiskey.

---