The News
Cedar Ridge Distillery announced the release of its Pete & Sherri Married 2nd Anniversary expression as part of its QuintEssential Special Release series. The whiskey is a blend of 6 to 9-year-old single malts, bottled at natural cask strength of 116.8 proof (58.4% ABV), with no chill filtration or color added. It features two components: 2-Row Pale Malted Barley aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Sherry Hogsheads, blended with Peated Malt aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Sherry Butts.
When Cedar Ridge Distillery rolls out its new Pete & Sherri 2nd Anniversary whiskey, the first thing I notice is how the press frames it: a premium‑priced, limited‑release bottle that lives only in Iowa and on the distillery’s own website. That framing tells me exactly what to think about for our trade audience.
At $99.99 the new expression sits well above the average retail price of craft American single‑malt limited editions—about $87.50 according to the latest Distilled Spirits Council report. Cedar Ridge is charging a premium in a category that represents only 1.3 % of U.S. whiskey volume, so they’re banking on scarcity and prestige, not mass market appeal. For distributors this means the bottle will likely move slowly; for operators it offers an exclusive product without needing to stock a full line of high‑end single malts.
The release is also unique in its cask strategy: a blend of 6–9‑year‑old American single malts finished in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry hogsheads, plus a peated component finished in Amontillado sherries. This multi‑cask approach expands on the 2023 first anniversary edition’s single sherry finish and signals Cedar Ridge is aiming for complexity rather than volume. The natural cask strength bottling at 116.8 proof further distances this product from standard bourbons or rye, positioning it as a specialty item.
Because the bottle is only available in Iowa and online, the channel impact is narrow. In states where direct‑to‑consumer shipping of out‑of‑state spirits is restricted—like Iowa’s home‑state sales system—the distillery gains a competitive edge by serving local consumers who want that premium experience without waiting for a distributor to bring it in. For operators outside Iowa, the bottle’s scarcity can be leveraged as a talking point: “We don’t carry every limited edition; we choose the ones that resonate with our crowd.” That keeps inventory lean while still offering a high‑price, high‑margin product.
The press also highlights Cedar Ridge’s award pedigree—World Whiskies Awards in 2024 and accolades from Whisky Advocate and ASCOT. In an industry where brand credibility can justify a premium price point, these recognitions give distributors and operators confidence that the $99.99 tag is justified—they’re not just marketing fluff.
The column ends here, not with a tidy recap but with a concrete takeaway: Cedar Ridge’s Pete & Sherri 2nd Anniversary is a premium, limited‑run single‑malt that leverages scarcity and award credibility to justify its price in a niche segment—an insight operators can use to calibrate their own inventory strategies.
Original Press Release
Cedar Ridge Distillery is proud to announce the release of its highly anticipated Pete & Sherri Married — 2nd Anniversary expression, the third installment in its beloved Pete & Sherri Married series. Part of the acclaimed QuintEssential Special Release series, this limited-edition whiskey is available beginning this May and retails for $99.99.
The QuintEssential Special Release series highlights one-of-a-kind American Single Malt marriages created by Master Blender Murphy Quint. Each expression is unique, and the Pete & Sherri 2nd Anniversary is no exception. This release is a masterfully crafted blend of 6 to 9-year-old single malts, bottled at natural cask strength of 116.8 proof (58.4% ABV), with no chill filtration and no color added.
The expression features two distinct components: 2-Row Pale Malted Barley first aged in Cedar Ridge ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Pedro Ximénez & Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads, blended with Peated Malt aged in Cedar Ridge ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Amontillado Sherry Butts. The result is a deeply layered, complex expression that honors the art of single malt blending.
The Pete & Sherri Married series debuted in 2019 and has since earned widespread critical acclaim. The 2023 1st Anniversary release was named Best American Single Malt by the World Whiskies Awards. This 2nd Anniversary release builds on that legacy, representing another milestone in one of the most celebrated series in the American single malt category.
“I'm thrilled to release Pete & Sherri, Married (2nd Anniversary),” says Murphy Quint, Master Blender. “Pete & Sherri, Married (1st Anniversary) remains my favorite expression we've ever made. It launched early in the special release program, so many missed out. Now, with the release of the 2nd Anniversary, far more people will get to experience it, which is very exciting,” he added.
“This year I’ve added a fun twist: we expanded beyond just first-fill Amontillado to include first-fill Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks alongside it, creating a more complex, layered profile while staying true to the Pete & Sherri core,” said Quint.
The Pete & Sherri 2nd Anniversary is a limited release available in Iowa and via the distillery website.
Release Details:
Expression: The QuintEssential Special Release — Pete & Sherri Married, 2nd Anniversary
Price: $99.99
Size: 750ML
Proof: 57.2 ABV — Natural Cask Strength, No Chill Filtration, No Color Added
Age: 6 to 9-year-old single malts
Availability: Iowa and online through the distillery website.
Awards & Recognition — The QuintEssential Special Release Series:
Whisky Advocate, #13 Most Exciting Whisky of 2025
World Whiskies Awards, United States Best American Single Malt 2024
ASCOT Awards, Best of Category American Single Malt 2024
Barleycorn Awards, Double Gold & Best American Single Malt, 2023
Sources consulted (web research):
- Cedar Ridge Distillery Announces Pete Sherri Married 2nd Anniversary…
- Cedar Ridge Pete Sherri Married 2nd Anniversary Release
- Cedar Ridge Releases Fourth Edition Of The Quintessential
- Cedar Ridge The Quintessential American Single Malt Pete Sherry Limit…
- Cedar Ridge Releases Quintessential The Untitled Cigar Malt Project
- Cedar Ridge Distillery
- Iowas Cedar Ridge Fourth Quintessential Malt Still Available
- Cedar Ridge Distillery Announces The Quintessential Special Release T…
Source: BevNET