Cedar Ridge Distillery

Cedar Ridge Distillery

1441 Marak Rd NW

Swisher, IA

Cedar Ridge Distillery, located in Swisher, Iowa, is a family-owned operation that has become a leader in the craft whiskey movement. Founded in 2005 by Jeff Quint, it was the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition. The distillery’s roots trace back to the Quint family’s German heritage as grape growers and winemakers, which inspired Jeff to combine old-world traditions with new-world ambition. Cedar Ridge is known for its grain-to-glass approach, sourcing Iowa-grown corn for its flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The distillery employs an off-grain fermentation process, a technique more common in single malt scotch production, which gives its whiskey a unique character. Distillation is done using German-made Christian Carl pot stills, and the whiskey is aged in 53-gallon barrels without temperature-controlled environments, allowing Iowa’s extreme seasonal shifts to influence the spirit’s development. The flagship Cedar Ridge Straight Bourbon Whiskey features a mash bill of 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% malted barley, offering a balanced and approachable flavor profile. Another standout is The QuintEssential, an American single malt finished in a variety of casks.

The Distillery Story

Cedar Ridge Distillery, located in Swisher, Iowa, is a family-owned operation that has become a leader in the craft whiskey movement. Founded in 2005 by Jeff Quint, it was the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition. The distillery’s roots trace back to the Quint family’s German heritage as grape growers and winemakers, which inspired Jeff to combine old-world traditions with new-world ambition. Cedar Ridge is known for its grain-to-glass approach, sourcing Iowa-grown corn for its flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The distillery employs an off-grain fermentation process, a technique more common in single malt scotch production, which gives its whiskey a unique character. Distillation is done using German-made Christian Carl pot stills, and the whiskey is aged in 53-gallon barrels without temperature-controlled environments, allowing Iowa’s extreme seasonal shifts to influence the spirit’s development. The flagship Cedar Ridge Straight Bourbon Whiskey features a mash bill of 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% malted barley, offering a balanced and approachable flavor profile. Another standout is The QuintEssential, an American single malt finished in a variety of casks.