Episode 561: 5 Whiskey Brands To Watch in 2025! DON’T MISS OUT!!!

[@denniswheeler4872]

I am fortunate to live only a few miles from Cedar Ridge and am so happy you are giving them the recognition they deserve. Thanks again for recognizing Cedar Ridge Distillery as a quality producer of fine bourbon and ryes.

[@BourbonJudge]

Awesome!! They are making some great stuff.

[@keithpetersen560]

Hoping to get the Sagamore Rye Sherry Finish & the New Riff Malted Rye finished in sherry. Your picks have been added to my list. Already have the Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Rye. Great review

[@gonzothee]

Can’t wait to get my hands on some Cedar Ridge! The guys at SLB Drinks are crazy about them too.

[@BourbonJudge]

SLB Drinks are always on point!

[@paulolivere4173]

I feel lucky to have 4/5 that you listed. Have yet to have Redwood Empire but must now!!!! Will certainly keep an eye out for the *……Thanks Judge

[@111dwade]

I wish OCD was sold online, was sent a sample and loved the funkiness of it

[@BourbonJudge]

Tell me about it.

[@BuffaloBourbonEnthusiasts]

We tried a sample of Cedar Ridge in our Christmas blind and really enjoyed it. When we were in Kentucky, and I was looking for non-shelfer Short Barrel bottles. All of my Rare Character bottles are great. I don't recall what is in your blind and if one snuck in there. Enjoy the WWDD pick I got at the Party Source. Ohio has some nice distilleries. Nice video!

[@BourbonJudge]

That’s awesome!

[@tonylema5334]

Been a Cedar Ridge fan for years!!

[@BourbonJudge]

Good stuff Tony.

[@jonwilkinson1188]

It's a great time to be an American whiskey enthusiast. It wasn't many years ago when there was only a fraction of the number of independent distillers and small NDPs that we have today. And their products were hit or miss. A lot of "shows potential, but very youthful". Now there's more exciting distillers and producers than I can keep track of. River Roots? Hadn't heard of them until today, but I'll be on the hunt! I love the five picks, but this lost could have easily been expanded to 10, or even 20. Good times!!

[@raveman7]

thank u judge for turning me onto ShortBarrel- wow what an amazing brand!!! Redwood Empire!!!! thank you for giving them love-- its one of my favs

[@krryroney]

Another banger! Can’t wait to try, short barrel, river roots, rare character and high bank.

[@blakenaylor1983]

I definitely need to try cedar ridge and short barrel Cheers !!

[@reubenco]

It’s surprising to see Redwood Empire on here because they’ve been on the radar for a long time already, but you make a great point that they are at a real transition point as they’re starting to release more of their own distillate. You could mention Sagamore in the same category, as they are also moving everything to their own juice, including releasing the brand new 7 year bottled in bond that is all distilled by them! I am most excited about that release out of everything new they’re putting out, and I’ve heard it’s great.

[@BourbonJudge]

Well said!

[@zoolander221]

Benash has a few rare character picks, which I love all of them. The haystack is already on the radar. But these others, taking mental note. Cheers Judge

[@BourbonJudge]

Good to know.. thnx Jimmy!

[@troyc.5667]

Thanks Judge! Just more bottles I will have to buy! lol.

[@BourbonJudge]

I hear you on that.😂🥃👏🏾

[@JamesAbles-y1r]

Have you had Boulder Spirits? I tried their cask strength bourbon and 7 year BIB American single malt. Excellent whiskey!

[@BourbonJudge]

I have not.. thnx for the heads up

[@jimreichel1466]

Judge, very nice video. Why not keep an eye out for Pursuit United? Their double oak bourbon is so good. Also, how about Burnt Church out of South Carolina? Anita's Choice Six Grain is very tasty and so different.

[@BourbonJudge]

Love Pursuit

[@damjr40]

Preciate the content Judge!

[@BourbonJudge]

Anytime D.

[@algordon4070]

Did you say whether the Haystack Needle was the bourbon or the Rye release?

[@BourbonJudge]

Bourbon

[@RJR2222]

Really surprised JT Meleck not on list

[@BourbonJudge]

Love JTM as well.

[@scottykarate8596]

Great vid judge! Just curious on what you've seen pricing wise for that Haystack Needle? I noticed you mentioned it as #10 in your best 2024 vid. One of my local spots has at least a dozen bottles sitting for like $120.. Wondering if I should grab one?

[@BourbonJudge]

I would grab one. I paid $115.

[@umami0247]

If your coming up to Cleveland to do a barrel pick at River Roots I’d like to be there with you the Bourbon Junkies did a pick early in 2024. And they were impressed.

[@chrissprague5412]

I was part of the Bourbon Junkies pick at River Roots and the 10 barrels of 9yr and older MGP ryes we had to sample were all very good. The older Beam products were not our favorites.

[@BourbonJudge]

Good stuff!!👏🏾🥃

[@richardbrandl7832]

We have Cedar ridge in most liqour stores here in Kansas city but have never thought twice about a purchase. May have to give them a try. which one do you suggest? Thanks Judge.

[@BourbonJudge]

DO Bourbon or DO Rye

[@rawcorporation]

Which Haystack needle do you have? Bourbon or Rye?

[@keithpetersen560]

I believe it is the Rye

[@BourbonJudge]

Bourbon

[@TorupHodl]

CR 2x rye 🎉🎉🎉 to bad only 1080 bottles batch 1 and nearly sold out unless u have a connection IN iowa...🤐

[@DavidSantos-c3g]

Cedar Ridge sleeping giant

[@b1gsteve251]

Whiskeytube turned Cedar Ridge into unobtainium. Greedy people sold out the website. Now it’s the new trendy whiskey that everyone has in their videos.

New riff