What is craft whiskey?

Do you know what truly amazes me?

A craft distillery that’s committed to doing things the right way.

But before we dive into Cedar Ridge, let’s tackle a fundamental question: What exactly is craft whiskey? Surprisingly, there isn’t a legal definition recognized by the TTB. It’s commonly understood that craft means handcrafted and small, possibly using local ingredients, with a process that isn’t mass produced. Still the word craft can be put on any label without much regulation.

The American Distilling Institute has its own definition that is commonly adhered to:

The American Distilling Institute defines craft spirits as, “the products of an independently-owned distillery with maximum annual sales of 100,000 proof gallons where the product is PHYSICALLY distilled and bottled on-site.

So, is Cedar Ridge a craft distillery? Without a doubt! Just take a look at the process behind The QuintEssential.

They begin with 100% two-row barley, which undergoes two distillations, reaching 148º before being carefully cut down to 120º. It’s then aged exclusively in their own ex-bourbon casks for about 3-5 years, never repurposing barrels. It’s then matured in finishing casks, including rum, sherry, port, brandy, wine, and rye. It’s then combined in the first vat, where each batch is analyzed for specific flavors. Adjustments are made, followed by placement in the mother batch vat, which was initially filled over nine years ago and is never allowed to dip below half capacity. Their peated casks have their own journey, starting with 60% standard 2-row malted and 40% peated malt, undergoing distillation, followed by aging in ex-bourbon barrels. They are added during the vatting process, contributing a carefully calibrated peat note to the final blend.

Not a single step of this process is carried out with mass production in mind; every aspect is marked by precision and dedication. The culmination is a whiskey that undeniably deserves the title of “craft.

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