Frey Ranch - BourbonSphere

Frey Ranch Farm Strength Cut Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

This is an entertaining pour that punches, ducks and dodges around the mouth, delivering sharp blows of spice to keep you on your toes.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Frey Ranch Distillery
MASH BILL: 66.6% Corn | 10% Winter Wheat | 11.4% Winter Rye | 12% Two-Row Malted Barley
AGE: 5 years
YEAR: 2023
PROOF: 122.28 (61.14% ABV)
MSRP: $79
BUY ONLINE: Shop Frey Ranch

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey fan, especially fans of higher proofs.

WORTH THE PRICE: Indeed it is.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. But since it's not available everywhere, bar if you can find it.

OVERALL: The nose on this is akin to opening every baking spice jar in your kitchen drawer: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon–lots of cinnamon–whole allspice ... you name it. Wait a bit and star anise and, strangely enough, limoncello join in. Its aromas beg for tasting this with an oatmeal, ginger or molasses cookie.

And speaking of molasses and ginger, both race out of the gate on the first sip followed by a hum of unsweetened cocoa, oak and stewed stone fruits. If you let it linger in your mouth—no mean feat given the proof—you'll be rewarded with even darker dried fruits like fig and raisin.

This is an entertaining pour that punches, ducks and dodges around the mouth, delivering sharp blows of spice to keep you on your toes. I haven't made a cocktail with this yet, but it'll be fun to let it wrestle some rich demerara into submission. This a bourbon with a bellicose character; an MMA fighter in a glass. I like it a lot!

BRAND NOTES

Every time we blend a small batch of our flagship four-grain bourbon, we taste it at cask strength before we “proof it down” to our signature 90 proof. We always fall in love with the uncut flavor, now you can too with the addition of this “Farm Strength” version of our flagship bourbon. Each batch will now feature both our signature 90 proof and this “uncut” expression. We named it “Farm Strength”, inspired by how we like to enjoy our whiskey on the ranch. As with all our whiskeys, this one is made from 100% grains grown on the Frey Ranch. Try them side-by-side for the best tasting experience!

Tasting Notes: Robust notes of caramelized bruleé, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, the whiskey opens with birthday cake frosting, glazed butter cake, cloves, orange creamsicle, and dried stone fruit. The finish delivers a sublime yet subtle hint of smoke and black cherry.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey

In this age of “high proof only,” it’s easy to overlook 90 proof whiskey and the sensibility of its virtues. It’s lush and delicate, fruity and appropriately woody for its age. It needs no ice or water or cocktail; just take it straight.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Frey Ranch Distillery
MASH BILL: 66.6% Corn | 10% Winter Wheat | 11.4% Winter Rye | 12% Two-Row Malted Barley
AGE: 5 years old
YEAR: 2023
PROOF: 90 proof (45% ABV)
MSRP: $52.99
BUY ONLINE: Shop Frey Ranch

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey lover.

WORTH THE PRICE: Most definitely.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle.

OVERALL: There's a lot of corn goodness going on in the nose: creamed corn, caramel corn and, hate it or not, candy corn. Despite their small portions of the mashbill, rye and wheat push through firmly. (Anyone who's been to a grain silo operation can relate to this rush of grain notes.) I don't know what Frey Ranch does to its barrels, but the wood gives this whiskey such pleasant notes of creme caramel and butterscotch.

Corn, caramel and rye come immediately to center palate before trailing off into sweet and biscuity notes of wheat and barley. In this age of "high proof only," it's easy to overlook 90 proof whiskey and the sensibility of its virtues. It's lush and delicate, fruity and appropriately woody for its age. It needs no ice or water or cocktail; just take it straight.

The finish is pristinely clean and bereft of dryness, which makes this so easy to drink. I sometimes hear the word "sessionable" lifted from beer circles by whiskey drinkers, and it's appropriate here. This is delicious enough to maintain a drinker's interest while low enough in proof to maintain one's wits over a long evening of careful sipping.

BRAND NOTES

Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey is 100% sustainably grown, malted, distilled, matured, and bottled on the Frey Ranch in Fallon, Nevada for consistently high quality as a point of pride. Aged for an average of five years, this 90-proof bourbon is smooth yet complex with oak and citrus aromas followed by vanilla, caramel, banana chips, and dried hay on the palate. With a mash bill of non-GMO corn, winter cereal rye, winter wheat, and two-row barley-malted on-site, this is a flavorful bourbon that can easily be enjoyed on its own, yet also holds up in any whiskey-based cocktail.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey Review

The nose is grain and barrel forward; the former light, citrusy, spicy and a little candied; the latter toasty and lightly charred with some smoldering campfire. It’s really pleasant to sniff and suss out new aromas.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Frey Ranch Distillery
MASH BILL: 100% Winter Rye
AGE: At least five years old, Bottled-In-Bond
YEAR: 2023
PROOF: 100 (50% ABV)
MSRP: $62.99
BUY ONLINE: Shop Frey Ranch

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey lover, but especially rye lovers looking for something without the usual (but always welcome) mint and dill notes.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yes.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle

OVERALL: There's always a lot to like about ground-to-glass estate stories like Frey Ranch Distillery's. Fifth-generation farmers Colby and Ashley Frey grow, distill and bottle the grains on their 1,500-acre Fallon, Nevada, ranch. They call themselves "whiskey farmers," which is admittedly charming.

Situated in lowlands outside of Reno, the land is ideal for agriculture, particularly cereal grains. Still, it's almost 4,000 feet above sea level, an altitude at which grain gets an intense dose of UV rays. Farmers working such lands believe that exposure stresses grain in ways that grain planted in lower altitudes isn't. At night, those highlands fields cool off quickly in the dry air, which is easier on plants, they say, than the dense summer evening humidity of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Bottom line: Grain from such areas tastes appreciably different, especially in whiskeys like this one.

The nose is grain and barrel forward; the former light, citrusy, spicy and a little candied; the latter toasted and lightly charred with some smoldering campfire. It's really pleasant to sniff and suss out new aromas in this ... like cocoa powder, Fig Newton cookies and wildflowers. Mute the TV or go to a quiet place to give it the focus it deserves.

The palate isn't overly complex, but that's not a criticism. It's a little syrupy, modestly sweet but with grain notes on the heels of it all. Close your mouth and exhale through your nose and the ground rye really comes to life. If there were ever such a thing as rye pastry, this is surely how it would taste. White pepper and a little cardamom comingle with vanilla pudding in the long, warm and delicate finish. It drinks so much softer than a lot of bottled-in-bond whiskeys ... dare I call it sophisticated? Not a coarse note to be found anywhere. It's also handy in a Sazerac cocktail.

BRAND NOTES

Frey Ranch Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is made with 100% Winter Cereal Rye, aged for a minimum of five years and bottled at 100 proof. This whiskey is smooth enough to sip, yet spicy enough to shine in a cocktail. Frey Ranch Straight Rye Whiskey is recognized with a Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirit Competition, which is a true recognition of the high-quality Rye grown right here on the Frey Ranch.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoke Whiskey Review

This is a bold, distinctive and beautiful whiskey. But for some, it’s 100 proof may be a bit too much for their palate. The good news is this whiskey holds up well to a dash of water to tame the heat while bringing out even lighter and sweeter flavors to keep you coming back for another sip.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Frey Ranch Distillery
MASH BILL: 100% slow-grown barley that is grown, harvested – and now smoked – and then milled and distilled –– on the Frey Ranch farm.
AGE: 6 Years
YEAR: 2023
PROOF: 110 Proof (50% ABV)
MSRP: $59.22
BUY ONLINE: Frey Ranch Website

POPS' NOTES

SHARE WITH: Anyone (especially bourbon drinkers) struggling to find an American single malt they like.

WORTH THE PRICE: Even though the SRP is steep for a 375ml bottle (equating to a 750ml bottle cost of $120), it's an impressive enough example of what an American single malt can be to be worth grabbing a bottle if you're interested in the category.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: I'm giving this one a BOTTLE rating for those who #DrinkCurious and are actively exploring the American single malt category to find an expression that convinces them to purchase a second bottle. Those not ready to commit to an entire bottle of an American single malt should try this at a bar or a friend's house.

OVERALL: I'm a long-time fan of Frey Ranch Distillery. Since visiting the ranch years ago, I've closely watched everything Colby and his team released to the market. So when I heard he was releasing a smoked American single malt–smoked in his own custom-built smoker, no less–I was eager to try it out.

A bit of context before I say another word. I still struggle to find an American single malt that excites me. I'm at a point where I've started to believe that I don't like what the category equates to regarding a whiskey product and its flavor profile. With that attitude in hand, I sampled Frey Ranch's Smoked expression.

The nose immediately got my attention. Robust. Complex. Inviting. All the excitement of a big, bold bourbon but with a twist. Sweet tobacco, campfire smoke, and cocoa combine making it one of the most compelling whiskey aromas I've experienced this year.

The palate has a pungent smoke flavor balanced perfectly by leather and sweet tobacco. Wow! There's ample spice in the finish left dancing on my tongue as it lingers and mellows into a delightful medley of sweet tobacco, malt balls and unidentifiable fruity notes. (Frey Ranch's notes also indicate huckleberry, but I haven't tasted those before. But they could be one of the sweeter influences I couldn't identify personally.)

This is a big, distinctive and beautiful whiskey. But for some, it's 100 proof may be a bit too much for their palate. The good news is this whiskey holds up well to a dash of water to tame the heat while bringing out even lighter and sweeter flavors to keep you coming back for another sip.

If you're looking for a whiskey to end the year on a high note, Frey Ranch's Smoked American Single Malt is an excellent bottle to add to your collection. And it's a great example of what I would love to see more of from the American single malt category.

BRAND NOTES

Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked Whiskey is designed for sipping, offering a rich and robust character that pairs delightfully with smoked gouda, blue cheese, or chocolate. With every sip, you're transported to the heart of the farm, where craftsmanship and passion converge to create an unforgettable whiskey experience.

TASTING NOTES:

Nose: Captivating aromas of campfire, huckleberry, and sweet pipe tobacco.
Palate: Hints of leather with a velvety, thick yet soft mouthfeel.
Finish: Lingering and delightful taste of sweet cigarillo.

This extraordinary whiskey is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Co-Founder and Whiskey Farmer, Colby Frey and Master Distiller Russell Wedlake. With a strong commitment to quality, they oversaw the entire process from slow-growing the barley to smoking it on the Frey Ranch farm. What truly sets this American Single Malt apart is Frey Ranch's ingenious approach. Colby + Russell personally crafted the smoker, repurposing an old grain silo and a fireplace, imparting a distinctive smokiness to the whiskey.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

Frey Ranch Introduces Limited-Edition American Single Malt Smoke Whiskey

At 110 proof and aged for six years and seven months, Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked was produced using 100 percent of the slow-grown barley that is grown, harvested – and now smoked – and then milled and distilled –– on the Frey Ranch farm.

Farm-to-Glass Distillery’s Innovation and Growth Continues Apace with Inaugural Release in its New ‘Smoked Series’

As the American Single Malt category heats up, award-winning Frey Ranch ^® Distillery enters the market with the limited release of Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked Whiskey. At 110 proof and aged for six years and seven months, Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked was produced using 100 percent of the slow-grown barley that is grown, harvested – and now smoked – and then milled and distilled –– on the Frey Ranch farm.

As with all Frey Ranch Whiskeys, Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked Whiskey is a testament to Frey Ranch Co-Founder and Whiskey Farmer Colby Frey’s ingenuity and ability to employ his farming and mechanical acumen when creating new whiskeys. Not only did he grow 100 percent of the barley used to create the mashbill, but he fashioned the smoker himself. Instead of purchasing an industrial smoker, Colby – and Frey Ranch Master Distiller Russell Wedlake – reconstituted a smoker from an old grain silo and a fireplace – allowing the whiskey to be smoked versus roasted.

Additionally, Colby made his own peat from decomposed plant matter from the farm – pressing it into bread pans and dehydrating it to properly smoke the whiskey for the desired taste profile. Designed as a sipping whiskey, the result is a rich, robust American Single Malt that pairs beautifully with smoked gouda, blue cheese, or chocolate. On the nose, the whiskey emits aromas of campfire, huckleberry, and sweet pipe tobacco, on the palate, hints of leather with a thick yet soft mouth feel. The finish dazzles with a lingering yet exquisite taste of sweet cigarillo.

“American Single Malts are having a moment, so we figured this was an opportune time to showcase our Nevada grown and harvested barley – putting our personal stamp on it by smoking it,” said Colby Frey. “Like everything we do at the Ranch, the team and I had some fun putting together our custom smoker – taking a few days to weld, cut and wire it to our precise specifications.”

As one of the only true estate distilleries in the world, Frey Ranch Distillery’s distinctive approach to whiskey production has paid off in spades. Today, Frey Ranch is one of the top-selling ultra-premium bourbons in the U.S., and one of the largest whiskey producers on the West Coast. Having recently expanded its on-premise and retail presence in Arizona, Georgia, Ohio and Texas earlier this year, in October 2023, Frey Ranch Distillery was awarded “Spirits Brand of the Year” by the illustrious industry drinks publication VinePair.

Available online at www.freyranch.com at $59.00 for a 375ml bottle, Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked is the first expression in the company’s Smoked Series, which will be followed in short order by Frey Ranch Rye & Smoked Oat Whiskey.

Balcones Distilling Celebrates 15 Years of Texas Whiskey

Balcones Distilling in Waco helped put Texas whiskey on the map when it opened in 2008, and this past weekend, the distillery marked it’s 15th… Read More

Balcones Distilling in Waco helped put Texas whiskey on the map when it opened in 2008, and this past weekend, the distillery marked it’s 15th anniversary with a rain-soaked party. We spent the weekend in Waco for the celebration, and sat down with longtime head distiller Jared Himstedt to get answers to some of your questions. In the news, whisky cask investment schemes in the UK are coming under scrutiny, while a charity auction to benefit victims of the recent Irish floods has raised nearly €35,000.

Episode 1029: November 5, 2023

Making Whiskey in the Music City

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery was once Tennessee’s largest distillery in pre-Prohibition times. The great-great-great grandsons of Charles Nelson revived the family business in downtown Nashville, and have been making Tennessee whiskey along with sourced Bourbons and now, a Rye Whiskey. The distillery underwent a major expansion recently, and we’ll talk with co-founder Andy Nelson on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, time is running short to avoid a return to Europe’s import tariffs on American whiskies, while a new Wild Turkey Bourbon features something different…three generations of Russells on the label.

Episode 1028: October 29, 2023

Four Roses Bourbon Celebrates 135 Years

Back in 1888, Paul Jones Jr. started selling Bourbon under the Four Roses brand. 135 years later, the brand is stronger than ever, and to… Read More

Back in 1888, Paul Jones Jr. started selling Bourbon under the Four Roses brand. 135 years later, the brand is stronger than ever, and to mark the anniversary, Four Roses is releasing a first-ever tasting kit with all 10 of the distillery’s unique recipes. We’ll talk with Master Distiller Brent Elliott about the anniversary, and what makes each of those 10 recipes different, on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth.

In the news, new distilleries are opening up in Japan, Wales, and Pennsylvania this week, while Sazerac has won a counterfeiting lawsuit against a company that was selling miniature bottles of its W.L. Weller Bourbon online.

Episode 1012: July 9, 2023

Frey Ranch “Farm Strength” Bourbon Highlights Week’s New Releases

Colby and Ashley Frey grow all of the grains for the whiskies on their farm in Fallon, Nevada, and their latest release is the Frey… Read More

Colby and Ashley Frey grow all of the grains for the whiskies on their farm in Fallon, Nevada, and their latest release is the Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon. This one is bottled at 61.25% ABV, and is available at retailers in California and Nevada along with the Frey Ranch web site with a suggested retail price of $79.99 a bottle. Our tasting notes are available here.

Other new whiskies unveiled this week:

The Glenrothes has a new 25-year-old edition. Whisky Maker Laura Rampling selected first-fill sherry-seasoned American and European Oak casks, along with with a small percentage of refill and ex-Bourbon casks to make this whisky. There’s no word on pricing.

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery in England has released the latest batch of their Filey Bay Peated Finish single malt. It’s matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels before being finished in ex-peated whisky casks, and is available through the distillery’s web site and select retailers in the U-K for £65 a bottle.

Whisky and music go together, and that’s the case with a new project from whisky writer and musician Felipe Schrieberg and musician Paul Archibald. They play together as The Rhythm and Booze Project, and have created a whisky label as well as a record label. The first release from Rhythm and Booze records is a 13-year-old blended malt matured in a Sherry butt, and has a QR code on the back to allow consumers to download and stream the companion playlist to listen to while they enjoy a dram.

On that note…pun intended, Catoctin Creek Distilling is getting ready to release the latest edition of its Ragnarok Rye in conjunction with the heavy metal band GWAR. It’s a special bottling marking the tenth anniversary of the death of the band’s original frontman, Oderus Urungus, and is finished in rum casks.

It’ll be available at the Virginia distillery starting August first…

Published July 9, 2023

Frey Ranch Distillery Announces Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon

As a cask strength bourbon, the tasting experience differs from the flagship 90 proof experience with robust notes of caramelized, brulé, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Frey Ranch ^® Distillery today announced the release of a new permanent expression in its award-winning American Whiskey portfolio – Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon. Bottled at cask strength, the new non-chill filtered, small batch whiskey is produced using 100% of the slow-grown grains that are grown, harvested, milled, distilled on the Frey Ranch farm year-round. Proudly using the corn, wheat, barley, and rye that Co-Founder and Whiskey Farmer Colby Frey cultivates has become a hallmark of the brand - and the driving force behind Frey Ranch’s explosive growth in Nevada and California. Today, Frey Ranch is the #1 selling ultra-premium bourbon in Nevada and one of the largest whiskey producers on the West Coast.

At 124.3 proof and aged for an average of five years, Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon utilizes the same mash bill as the flagship four grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 66.6% Dent Corn, 10% Winter Wheat, 11.4% Winter Rye and 12% Two Row Barley. As a cask strength bourbon, the tasting experience differs from the flagship 90 proof experience with robust notes of caramelized, brulé, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, the whiskey opens with a mélange of flavors – from birthday cake frosting and glazed butter cake to cloves, orange creamsicle and dried stone fruit. The finish delivers a sublime yet subtle hint of smoke and black cherry.

“Every time we blend a batch of our flagship Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon, we taste it at cask strength before we proof it down. That uncut liquid is always a big hit with our distillery team. We’re excited to now offer the Farm Strength version of the signature whiskey that put Frey Ranch on the map with our grain-forward approach. For the best tasting experience, we recommend a side-by-side comparison of our signature 90-proof against this new uncut version.”

Using his own slow-grown grains that take Northern Nevada’s climate, topography and terroir into consideration provides Colby with almost unlimited freedom to experiment with different grain varieties and blends. Valuing a common-sense approach to sustainable farming, Colby, with Master Distiller Russell Wedlake, built a distillery born from a desire to create a distinctive, long-lasting product from the quality grains the Frey family has been growing and perfecting for generations. The new Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon is another prime example of Frey Ranch’s commitment to centering its whiskey enterprise around their grains and farming background first and foremost.

Available in California, Nevada, at the Frey Ranch Tasting Room and online at www.freyranch.com, Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon has a suggested retail price of $79.99 for a 750 ml bottle. In 2023, Frey Ranch will expand its footprint with availability in Arizona, Ohio, and Georgia.