Cedar Ridge Bourbon wins gold medal

SWISHER - Cedar Ridge Bourbon Whiskey, which made its debut in July, is an award-winning product for Cedar Ridge Vineyards, Winery & Distillery.

Iowa's first micro-distillery has been notified by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition that Cedar Ridge Bourbon Whiskey was awarded a gold medal at this year's competition in the Small Batch Bourbon (10 years and younger) category. The annual competition was held at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco on March 18, 19, and 20.

Made from Iowa corn, Cedar Ridge Bourbon is the first Iowa bourbon since Prohibition. It is crafted in small batches in a European-engineered 80-gallon pot still for a smooth, premium bourbon.

The 40-percent alcohol-by-volume (80 proof) bourbon whiskey is available in a 750 milliliter bottle. It available at Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher as well as at various Iowa retailers.

Cedar Ridge Bourbon Whiskey is the fourth addition to the Corridor distiller's dark spirits portfolio of Dark Aged Rum, Grape Brandy and Apple Brandy. Cedar Ridge released its first 250 cases of bourbon whiskey on July 1, which also has received a Five Star rating from Colleen Graham, cocktails editor for the New York Times' About.com.

Jeff Quint, master distiller at Cedar Ridge Vineyards, Winery & Distillery, is pleased with the gold medal awarded in San Francisco.

“This acknowledgement further supports the viability of our commitment to take Iowa from an importer to an exporter of great tasting distilled spirits,” Quint said.

There were a record number of entries at this year's San Francisco World Spirits Competition - 1106 products from 61 countries. The judging panels were comprised of spirits experts from noted restaurants and hotels, well-known spirits journalists from major national media, spirits buyers for large purveyors, and spirits consultants.

Judging is based on a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity, making this competition the most reputable and recognized competition in the spirits industry.