Reviews

There's plenty worth paying attention to when it comes to craft whiskey. Something I've noticed about the small but mighty distilleries blazing a trail in the whiskey market is that they all share one core value: passion. Having explored more than a few craft distilleries here at Amongst The Whiskey, we have some idea of what it takes to run a successful artisanal operation. And I use the word "some" very pointedly here. Considering what a craft distillery can do, adding an i

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 Ri

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic." –Albus Dumbledore Cedar Ridge Distillery has just released its oldest expression to date, and it just might be the most magical pour in Iowa. The name behind this old straight rye whiskey intrigued us, so we sought out the answer, just beyond Platform 9¾. The number didn't come from just anywhere, though; it's the age of the whiskey within! While the TTB prefers to work only with integers, whisk

Photo Courtesy of Jim Hough of Liberty Pole Spirits Few things get the writers at Amongst The Whiskey more excited than a craft whiskey collaboration. So when we learned Liberty Pole Spirits and MB Roland Distillery had joined forces, we couldn't wait to taste the two limited releases debuting on July 1: Pennntucky and Kentsylvania. In this article, you'll find the official press release, followed by our tasting notes on both expressions. Collaborations like these celebrate n

These QuintEssential American Single Malt special releases from Cedar Ridge Distillery are exactly that: special. With a distinct spotlight on Cedar Ridge’s winemaking foundation alongside Iowa distilled malt and a noteworthy age on these blends for the ASM category, Quint and the team at Cedar Ridge have truly tapped into something special here. Following the award for Best American Single Malt at the World Whiskey Awards for the 1st anniversary of Pete & Sherri, the 2nd ann

“The farmer is, after all, the only man in our economy who has to buy everything he buys at inflated retail, sell everything he sells at depressed wholesale, and pay the freight both ways." –John F. Kennedy Nestled right where the industrial East meets the agricultural Midwest lives Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington, Pennsylvania. Known locally for being a craft distillery with a strong focus on reviving the historical significance of Pennsylvania rye, they've been gaining s