In whiskey, patience often pays off. Sometimes, it pays off in a very big way.

That’s exactly what happened at Cedar Ridge Distillery, where the Iowa-based producer has unveiled the oldest whiskey in its history: Nine and Three Quarters Rye, a limited-edition release that spent nearly a decade quietly maturing before finally making its debut.

For fans of well-aged rye whiskey, this is the kind of bottle that turns heads.

Founded in 2005 by Jeff and Laurie Quint, Cedar Ridge holds a special place in American craft distilling. As Iowa’s first legal distillery since Prohibition and now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Cedar Ridge has built a reputation for producing grain-to-glass spirits that showcase the agricultural richness of the Midwest. Located among the rolling hills outside Cedar Rapids, the distillery combines Iowa-grown grains, winemaking influences, and a hands-on approach that has earned it a loyal following and numerous awards over the years.

Now, that commitment to long-term whiskey making is paying dividends.

Master Blender Murphy Quint describes Nine and Three Quarters Rye as more than simply an age statement. For him, the release represents a bridge between generations of distillers who helped shape Cedar Ridge over the years.

“Most of the distillate in this bottle was made by people who no longer work here,” Quint explains. “They laid down the spirit years ago and moved on. All the while that whiskey kept maturing in the barrel, quietly waiting for the current team to finish what the old team started.”

It’s a fitting reflection for a distillery marking two decades in business.

The whiskey itself starts with Cedar Ridge’s high-malted rye mash bill, consisting of 85% rye, 12% corn, and 3% malted barley. Aged in new American oak Char 3 barrels, the spirit spent at least nine years maturing, with most barrels reaching nine years and nine months and one even crossing the ten-year mark.

The extended aging has transformed the whiskey’s profile. Cedar Ridge notes that the familiar toasted biscuit character often found in its rye has evolved into something deeper and richer, with mature oak taking center stage while still allowing the grain’s spicy personality to shine through.

Bottled at a robust 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV), Nine and Three Quarters Rye isn’t shy. This is a whiskey designed for those who appreciate bold flavors and the complexity that only comes from years spent in the barrel.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the release is the price. In an era when limited-edition, well-aged rye whiskies can easily command three-digit price tags, Cedar Ridge has set the suggested retail price at just $59.99.

That’s a remarkable value for a whiskey that represents nearly a decade of maturation and one of the oldest expressions ever to emerge from the distillery’s barrel warehouses.

For Cedar Ridge, Nine and Three Quarters Rye is more than another limited release. It’s a celebration of patience, craftsmanship, and the passage of time … all qualities that great whiskey shares with the people who make it.

The limited-edition release is available now at Cedar Ridge Distillery, online, and through select retailers nationwide. Given the age, price, and limited availability, whiskey enthusiasts may want to move quickly before this one becomes another chapter in Cedar Ridge’s history.