Dessert-like sweetness balanced by polished spice at barrel strength.
About Cold Zero
Veteran Founded, American Made
Cold Zero Spirits was founded by Special Operations veterans Casey Maxted and Chad Williams, who were tired of drinking Russian vodka and wanted to craft premium American spirits.
Casey, an Iowa native and former Green Beret, also served 14 years as an FBI Special Agent specializing in Counterterrorism. Chad served over 25 years in the Special Forces and remains an advocate for veteran causes, including suicide prevention.
Supporting them is Nick Lavery, an active-duty Green Beret and Cold Zero strategic advisor, recognized for his expertise in special operations.
The name “Cold Zero” comes from an FBI Hostage Rescue Team term for the first shot from a cold barrel that must hit its target—symbolizing precision, consistency, and excellence in every bottle.
Their Mission
Cold Zero exists to honor and support veterans while sharing high-quality spirits with everyone. A portion of profits benefits veteran nonprofits like Warrior Rising, Green Beret Foundation, and the Medal of Honor Society, helping service members and their families thrive after transitioning to civilian life. Whether you’re a civilian, active-duty service member, or part of the special operations community, Cold Zero is made for you.
Midwest Crafted, Premium Spirits
All Cold Zero products are distilled and bottled at Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa, one of the Midwest’s premier distillers. Cedar Ridge manages every step of production, combining Iowa’s top-quality grains with traditional expertise. Some bottles, like the Reserve Whiskey, are even signed by Medal of Honor recipients, linking each pour to the legacy of America’s heroes.
The Rifle Edition
A whiskey built to remember the greatest generation
Cold Zero’s Rifle release is more than a bottle—it’s a tribute. Created to honor World War II veterans, the bottle itself becomes part of the story: signed by real members of the generation it commemorates. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that the legacy behind the whiskey is far larger than what’s in the glass.
Fortunately, the whiskey itself rises to the moment. This is a big, bold pour that rewards slow sipping and contemplative evenings.
Author’s Note: Raise a glass to one of the WWll veterans, Les Schrenk, who signed at least 100 bottles (including the bottle pictured) for this release and died in 2026. He visited Normandy often and crossed over the lines to befriend the German pilot who shot down his plane in the war.
Stats
- Age: 7 year
- Proof: 115 (57.5% ABV)
- Mashbill: 47% Rye │ 46% Corn │ 7% Malted Barley
- Origin: Cedar Ridge – Swisher, Iowa
- Finish: 3 years in a Teadermen Vineyard red wine barrel
- Release: 2 Single Barrels (under 500 bottles) in collaboration with Andrew Biggio (“The Rifle”)
- MSRP: $99.99 (AAFES/Marine Corps Exchange). $129.99 (online)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Rock candy and caramelized brown sugar lead the way, followed by deep fig and toasted vanilla. There’s a distant hint of baking spice that feels restrained at first, suggesting more intensity waiting beneath the surface.
- Palate: The sweetness rolls forward confidently with coating caramel and candy notes. A thick mouthfeel carries vanilla frosting and smoky char across the tongue, giving the whiskey a satisfyingly weighty presence.
- Finish: The finish is where the whiskey truly flexes. Candied sweetness shifts toward dark red fruits before a punch of hot white pepper lands with authority. Rather than fading, the proof seems to accelerate at the end, stretching into a long, tannic red-wine-like linger that sticks around with every breath.
- Presentation: The label is intentionally busy — fitting for a release honoring WWII veterans. Details like the Army star, military-inspired iconography, and the signature of WWII veteran Les Schrenk give the bottle a handcrafted, personal feel. It’s part whiskey bottle, part tribute.
Cold Zero Rifle is unapologetically big. It opens gently enough, but the pour steadily builds until the finish lands with real power. Importantly, that proof punch never turns sharp — it remains bold but controlled.
It’s the kind of whiskey that naturally invites a slower setting: a quiet evening, a comfortable chair, and maybe a cigar while reflecting on the sacrifices of the generation this bottle honors.
Distinctiveness
The profile stands out for its escalating finish. Many high-proof whiskeys fade gradually; this one builds late, delivering a rising wave of white pepper heat and tannic grip that gives the experience a memorable final act.
The combination of candied sweetness, dark fruit depth, and cigar-friendly structure makes it feel intentionally crafted for contemplative sipping.
Presentation
The more you look at this bottle, the better it gets. It’s a busy label to be sure—but so was the Second World War.
The first thing I notice is the bold Cold Zero logo, proudly declaring the bottle American-made and veteran-owned. From there my eyes drift upward to the Rifle Edition designation, the age statement (boldly proclaimed), and then what may be the most important detail — the WWII veteran who signed it, Les Schrenk (mentioned above).
Set behind the logo are faded but visible WWII-era visuals. There are thoughtful inclusions of iconography as well: the green Army star and, up top, a gold emblem that likely nods to the U.S. military ranking system, resembling the first bar a Private receives.
I especially like the handmade, stamped, and written nature of the bottle. The Army green continues onto the cap with additional stars across the top. The topper itself is simple black — nothing flashy — but the simplicity and functionality work well for the brand.
Artwork is done by Matt Rendar an artist, veteran and retired NYPD detective who is responsible for the Battle Tribe apparel art and cover art for “The Wrong Wolf” by Christian Craighead.
Transparency & Value
Cold Zero is transparent in their sourcing from Cedar Ridge, even proud, I would say – frequently referencing how it is American made.
At $129.99 MSRP if purchased online through Cold Zero, the price is certainly on the high side for a 7-year whiskey. But then again, when was the last time you had a craft whiskey aged for seven years and finished for three additional years in a local red wine barrel?
Regardless, the value proposition here extends beyond the liquid. With bottles signed by real WWII veterans, Cold Zero Rifle becomes part whiskey and part historical artifact. For collectors, patriots, or anyone who appreciates a pour with meaning behind it, that story carries real weight.
Buy if:
- You enjoy big, bold whiskeys with long finishes
- You like dark fruit and candied sweetness with spice
- You want a bottle that carries real historical meaning
Skip if:
- You prefer lighter, delicate pours
- High proof white pepper finishes aren’t your thing
- You’re looking for an easy everyday sipper
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 5.25 / 7
- Palate: 5.5 / 7
- Finish: 6.25 / 7
- Presentation: 6.5 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 6 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 4 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 5.79 / 7 – Divine
Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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