SWISHER, Iowa (Nov. 11, 2026) — Cedar Ridge Distillery is bringing a new twist to one of its most popular whiskey creations with the release of Portside II, a limited-edition Iowa bourbon finished in three different types of oak and wine casks.
Inspired by the distillery’s 2023 QuintEssential Special Release, Portside II takes the original concept into bourbon territory, combining the rich fruit characteristics of fortified wine casks with the bold character of Cedar Ridge’s flagship Iowa bourbon.
The whiskey begins with Cedar Ridge bourbon aged in new American oak before undergoing additional finishing in new French oak, first-fill Amontillado sherry casks and first-fill port casks sourced from Portugal, California and the distillery’s own estate.
Bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV), Portside II features a mash bill of 74% corn, 14% rye and 12% malted barley. The combination of finishing casks is designed to deliver layers of dark fruit, oak and spice while allowing the underlying bourbon to remain prominent.
“The original Portside is one of my all-time favorite blends, and Portside II is our chance to push that idea further,” said Murphy Quint, master distiller at Cedar Ridge. “Up front, you’ll find the same heavy fig, raisin, and black cherry that defined the original release, but on the finish the bourbon takes over and pulls it in a direction of its own.”
Quint said the project represents the first time he has adapted a whiskey concept from one category to another, using bourbon as the foundation for a release originally developed around the distillery’s QuintEssential whiskey.
“Experimenting with cask finishing allows us to explore the full range of flavor different casks bring to our whiskey,” Quint said.
Founded in 2003 by Jeff and Laurie Quint, Cedar Ridge has built its reputation around Iowa-grown grain and an approach to whiskey production influenced by the family’s winemaking background. As Iowa’s first distillery, the company has helped establish the state’s identity in an American whiskey market long dominated by Kentucky and Tennessee.
Portside II continues that tradition of experimentation, offering bourbon enthusiasts a different interpretation of the increasingly popular wine-cask finishing techniques found throughout the American whiskey industry.
The limited-release bourbon is available in 750-milliliter bottles with a suggested retail price of $59.99. Distribution includes Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, South Dakota, California and Florida, with direct-to-consumer shipping available in 45 states, subject to applicable laws.
For more information, visit Cedar Ridge Distillery.
