By Contributor,Emily Price

Copyright forbes

Cedar Ridge Distillery
Cedar Ridge

Say the word “bourbon” and most people think limestone water in Kentucky or charcoal mellowing in Tennessee. But in the heart of America’s Corn Belt, Cedar Ridge Distillery is rewriting that script. As Iowa’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition, Cedar Ridge has turned its home state into a legitimate bourbon destination.

“No one thought much about making whiskey in Iowa until we did,” Murphy Quint, Master Distiller and Director of Operations said at a recent event celebrating the brand’s 20th anniversary. “People considered this flyover country, until we made it the destination for some of the best whiskey around.”

From Vineyard Dream to Whiskey Pioneer

Jeff and Laurie Quint
Cedar Ridge

Twenty-one years ago, Jeff and Laurie Quint imagined a quiet retirement surrounded by grapevines. What started as a vineyard idea quickly grew into something far bigger. After discovering that new varietals could thrive in the Midwest, the Quints bought a property in 2003 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

“Naivety is key for success,” Jeff often says. “If I knew all the things I know now, I probably would have said that was way too hard to do.”

The family closed on the property in early 2003 and planted 5,000 vines. Laurie put each one in the ground while Jeff dug the holes, with a little help from their eldest son, Murphy. By August 2005, Cedar Ridge secured its federal license, making it the first legal distillery in Iowa since Prohibition.

The decision to distill felt obvious. “Most distilled spirits are made from corn, and Iowa produces more corn than any state in the country,” Jeff explains. “Yet before Cedar Ridge, we Iowans were importing 100% of the $350 million a year we spent on distilled spirits. We sell $4 corn to Kentucky, and they sell us back $40 worth of bourbon. Let’s keep that in Iowa.”

Early laws didn’t allow direct sales, so Cedar Ridge started out behind Benz Beverage Depot in Cedar Rapids, where visitors could taste before heading inside the liquor store to buy a bottle. A devastating 2008 flood destroyed that operation, but it coincided with a long-awaited law change that allowed Cedar Ridge to finally put down roots in Swisher, where the distillery still stands.

When Murphy returned to the business in 2014, the team began pushing into single malts and creative cask finishes. Today there are more than 200 finishing casks on site. In 2020, Cedar Ridge became the top-selling bourbon in Iowa, beating out names like Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam. “We are Iowans,” Jeff says. “We are proud of Iowa and the things that come out of this great state.”

Recognition followed, including Craft Distillery of the Year in 2017 and Best American Single Malt at the World Whiskey Awards in 2024. “This is proof that our legacy is beyond just the state of Iowa,” Jeff says. “We have stepped into a national presence and are proving that Iowa is the home to good whiskey.”

Bourbon, Born in the Corn Belt

Cedar Ridge bourbon
Cedar Ridge

Iowa is the top corn-producing state in the country, growing more than most nations. For Cedar Ridge, that means bourbon built on local abundance. Nearly every kernel in its mashbill comes from nearby fields, harvested from the same soil that feeds much of America.

Instead of shipping grain away, Cedar Ridge shows what happens when Iowa turns its own corn into whiskey. The result is a bourbon with a sweet, buttery richness that speaks to the fertile fields it comes from.

The flagship Iowa Straight Bourbon offers a clear example of this. On the nose, it’s warm and approachable, with toasted oak, honey, and fresh corn sweetness. The palate brings baked apple, caramel, and vanilla, layered with a subtle nuttiness that gives it depth. The finish is smooth, leaning into spice and oak without losing the corn’s natural sweetness. It’s an easy sipper neat, but it also holds up beautifully in cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.

And that’s part of what makes Cedar Ridge stand out. While other craft distillers might source grain or even finished whiskey, Cedar Ridge builds its spirits from the ground up, starting with the land beneath their feet. That focus on place makes every sip a reminder that bourbon can taste like where it’s from, not just how it’s made.

Climate as a Flavor Maker

Cedar Ridge vines
Cedar Ridge

Iowa’s weather is another secret weapon. Hot, humid summers and freezing winters push whiskey deep into oak staves, pulling out caramel, vanilla, and spice in a way that Kentucky’s gentler climate does not.

Murphy sums it up: “A couple decades later, and we’re still here, crafting, innovating, growing, all while defying conventions. We’re doing what others never considered, in a place they never expected.”

A Distillery at the Crossroads of Wine and Whiskey

Cedar Ridge barrel shed
Cedar Ridge

Cedar Ridge began as a vineyard, and that winemaking influence is still part of its identity. Some releases finish in wine casks, merging Iowa’s grape and grain traditions in a single bottle.

“When you look at our products, you’re tasting not just bourbon, but wine, whiskey, and whatever we think is next,” Murphy says. “We’re not afraid to play, it makes perfect.”

The American Single Malt has become a showcase for that experimental streak. Its nose is rich with toasted barley and dried fruit, leading into a palate of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a hint of smoke. A touch of red fruit comes through from wine-cask finishes, while the finish lingers with oak and baking spice. It is layered and complex, reflecting both the heritage of Scotch-style malts and the bold character of the Midwest climate.

That playful spirit shows up in their special releases too, from anniversary bourbons to limited-edition cask finishes. For visitors, it means there’s always something new to try alongside the classics.

Iowa on the Map

Cedar Ridge family
Cedar Ridge

Two decades after its founding, Cedar Ridge has grown into both a regional powerhouse and a nationally recognized craft brand. It is still the number one selling bourbon in Iowa, a title it has held for five years running.

“We stayed true to ourselves,” Murphy says. “We stood out because we leaned into who we are, where we are, and the people who made this possible. So, yeah, this is Iowa. We’re just getting started.”

The Quints are still looking ahead. In 2025, Cedar Ridge launched its first canned cocktails, the Iowa Mule and Harvest Blush Spritzer, while continuing to expand distribution across the Midwest and beyond.

Jeff puts it simply: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

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