The QuintEssential The QuintEssential Special Release Wine Club First Meeting

The QuintEssential Special Release Wine Club First Meeting

A little background

Cedar Ridge Distillery, founded by Jeff Quint in 2005, is Iowa’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition. Located in the state’s top corn-producing region, Cedar Ridge has built a reputation for its craft spirits, with its bourbon gaining national recognition. The QuintEssential Special Release series highlights unique American Single Malt expressions created by Master Blender Murphy Quint.

The QuintEssential The Wine Club, First Meeting is a limited release that combines 100% malted barley, initially aged in Cedar Ridge ex-bourbon barrels and finished in a blend of First Fill Amontillado Sherry, Tokaji, and Moscatel casks. The whiskey also includes peated malt that was finished in a Pinot Noir cask. Bottled at 118.1 proof, this release reflects the distillery’s approach to innovation in flavor profiles. The QuintEssential The Wine Club, First Meeting is available for approximately $100 per bottle.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Gold

Nose

Malt, cinnamon, peaches and cream, strawberry, graham cracker, and fig newton.

Palate

Peaches, lemon, orange citrus, cocoa, cinnamon, and oak.

Finish

Malty cereal, stewed strawberries, campfire smoke, oak, walnut, and a dusting of cinnamon.

In closing

The QuintEssential Special Release Wine Club First Meeting offers a captivating balance of malt sweetness and rich fruitiness on the nose, with notes of peaches, cinnamon, and graham cracker inviting you in. The palate continues the fruity theme with vibrant citrus, cocoa, and oak, all while the alcohol remains beautifully integrated, providing a smooth and satisfying mouthfeel. The finish brings a slightly bitter edge, paired with stewed strawberries, campfire smoke, and a touch of walnut, leaving a lingering complexity that speaks to the depth of this expression.
 
Rich, flavorful, and impressively well-rounded, this release showcases the potential of American Single Malt whiskey and proves Cedar Ridge’s skill in crafting unique and standout expressions. A remarkable addition to the category, this release truly hits a home run.
 

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Cedar Ridge Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.

The QuintEssential Special Release Wine Club First Meeting

118.1 Proof
The QuintEssential Special Release Wine Club First Meeting
9

Nose

 9.1/10

Palate

 8.9/10

Finish

 8.9/10

Complexity

 9.0/10

Value

 9.1/10

The Good

  • Alcohol is well integrated
  • Rich palate
  • Value

The Bad

  • Availability
Official Site

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Matthew Evans

Matthew is the founder and visionary behind Whiskey Consensus. What began as a project to explore the Instagram platform and share a love for whiskey has evolved into so much more. Professionally, Matthew works in digital marketing as a solutions engineer and sales leader, bringing innovative strategies to the table. Outside of work, Matthew is an avid runner, as well as a car and watch enthusiast. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the community through various volunteer responsibilities.

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