Iowa Fall-Winter 2022-2023 - 46

I
n Iowa, corn is the biggest crop and rye is the most popular cover crop. Because of this,
it should come as no surprise that rye whiskey has become a staple of local distillers. Rye
and corn are two of the spirit's main ingredients, and sourcing high-quality local grains in
Iowa couldn't be easier. The state has a long history of whiskey production that goes back
over 100 years, and for the past two decades this practice has been revived. Here are a few
rye whiskeys to try, both from Iowa and other parts of the country.
CODY ROAD RYE
From Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire,
this is a handcrafted premium whiskey. Named after
local boy gunslinger and whiskey purveyor Buffalo
Bill Cody, Cody Road is made from 100% local grain:
all the rye and corn is sourced from within 25 miles
of the distillery. This is a bold, spicy and fruity rye
with notes of banana, vanilla and honey.
BURN THE BOATS RYE
This is a straight rye whiskey based on a 100-year-old
recipe from backwoods midwestern moonshiners.
Based in Des Moines, this is the brainchild of MarKaus,
a rapper, musician, record label owner and spirits
maker. Burn the Boats has a sweet, floral, lightly
spiced taste and is quite sippable.
CEDAR RIDGE BOTTLED IN BOND RYE
From the Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, this is a
special release that's put out every July. To be
" bonded, " a spirit has to be made during a single distillation
season by one distiller at one distillery. In
addition, it must mature in a federally bonded warehouse
for at least four years and it must be bottled at
100 proof. Cedar Ridge is a straight rye whiskey made
from 85% rye, 12% corn and 3% malted barley.
SAGAMORE SPIRIT CASK STRENGTH
This is a sweet, corn-forward rye from Maryland. It's
dark brown in color and the flavor profile touches on
toffee, baking spices, dark chocolate and espresso
with a long, warm finish. Sagamore is considered a
" Maryland style " rye, which is sweeter, softer and less
spicy than other varieties. This is due to the high corn
content in the mashbill.
RED LABEL RESERVE
This whiskey is made by Legendary Rye in Carroll,
Iowa. It's smooth, drinkable and aged twice for a well
balanced and complex taste. On the nose you'll get
butterscotch, roasted corn and an earthy root vegetable
aroma. On the palette you'll detect vanilla,
apricot, nectarine and a hint of spice.
ANGEL'S ENVY
Angel's Envy is finished for 18 months in Caribbean
rum casks, which lends the spirit a robust and intricate
character and amber color. This is a sweet, mellow
drink with notes of apple, maple syrup, sherry
and citrus. Despite weighing in at 50% ABV, the
mouthfeel is light and creamy.
46 IOWA SPIRITS
BRADSHAW STRAIGHT RYE
From Owensboro, Kentucky, this liquor is produced
by Green River Distilling for a company operated by
former NFL great Terry Bradshaw. It's aged two years
and bottled at precisely 103.8 proof. The flavor profile
includes brown sugar, coconut, wood, peach and
peppercorn, while the finish is gentle with a touch of
heat.
MINOR CASE STRAIGHT RYE
From Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon,
Kentucky, this drink matures in cream sherry barrels
which gives the whiskey a unique flavor. Made with
100% American heartland grains, Minor Case is a mild
90-proof spirit with notes of chocolate, cherry,
toasted citrus rind, oak and sugarcane.
TEMPLETON 10 YEAR SINGLE BARREL
RYE
Templeton Rye was originally made in Templeton,
Iowa during Prohibition. It was known for its high
quality and was popular throughout the region's
speakeasies. Al Capone was supposedly a big fan.
Today, it's produced in Indiana and Iowa, and the
recipe relies heavily on Prohibition-era ingredients.
The biggest whiskey brand in the state of Iowa,
Templeton is aged four years and bottled at 80 proof.
The mashbill contains a whopping 95% rye and just
5% barley. The aroma is both spicy and sweet, while
the taste offers a combination of apple pie, vanilla,
smoke and pecans.

Iowa Fall-Winter 2022-2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Iowa Fall-Winter 2022-2023