91 points
Cedar Ridge The QuintEssential (Batch 001), 46%
Spice forms the foundation, from start to finish. Allspice, cloves, and cinnamon Red Hots are interwoven with caramel-coated shortbread, dark chocolate, and walnuts on the nose. Zingy and lively on the palate, with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, sandalwood, nuts, and semi-sweet chocolate. With water the flavors deepen, adding burnt sugar, vanilla bean, orange oil, and roasted nuts. The spices fade with a slow burn, mingling with sturdy oak and coffee bean. (3,000 bottles)
Reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Fall 2020)