nevada - BourbonSphere

The Latest Drops from The Last Drop

James Espey and Tom Jago founded The Last Drop 15 years ago with a goal of finding casks of rare whiskies and other spirits and… Read More

James Espey and Tom Jago founded The Last Drop 15 years ago with a goal of finding casks of rare whiskies and other spirits and bottling them. Since then, the company has been sold to Sazerac and Tom’s daughter Rebecca is now in charge, but the goal remains the same: finding those unicorn whiskies that may have fallen through the cracks…or just don’t fit into someone else’s plans. We’ll talk with Rebecca Jago about The Last Drop’s 2024 Collection and the difficulty of sourcing those rare casks in today’s market on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, labor problems hit Heaven Hill and Whyte & Mackay, while a longtime Highland distillery manager has retired.

Episode 1056: May 12, 2024

Image courtesy The Last Drop Distillers.

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.

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

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

A New Golden Age for Scotch Whisky?

The Scotch Whisky industry is roaring along, setting new records for sales every year as the global demand for whisky continues to grow. The last… Read More

The Scotch Whisky industry is roaring along, setting new records for sales every year as the global demand for whisky continues to grow. The last “golden age” for Scotch Whisky is generally considered to be the late 1800’s, when distilleries flourished all over Scotland. That begs the question: are we in a new golden age for Scotch Whisky? Veteran whisky writers, historians, and consultants Charles Maclean and Ian Buxton take on that question and other key issues in an extended WhiskyCast In-Depth conversation this week.

In the news, a Pacific Northwest malting house has left distilleries and brewers in the lurch after suddenly closing this week, while Speyside Distillers is being questioned about the location of casks sold to investors more than 20 years ago.

Episode 1010: June 25, 2023

Craigellachie Travel Retail Release Leads the Week’s New Whiskies

Craigellachie is releasing a 37-year-old Bourbon cask finished single malt. The whisky was distilled in 1984, and originally was matured in refill casks before being… Read More

Craigellachie is releasing a 37-year-old Bourbon cask finished single malt. The whisky was distilled in 1984, and originally was matured in refill casks before being transferred to ex-Bourbon barrels.

3,012 bottles will be available first at Gebr. Heinemann airport shops in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Istanbul, then at retailers in the U-K, Germany, France, Taiwan, and China starting August 1 with a recommended retail price of £3,800.

Arran is releasing a new 25-year-old single malt. It’s the oldest in the Arran range so far, and will become part of the distillery’s core range. Only 3,000 bottles will be available globally, with 240 coming to the U.S. at a price tag of $789.99 a bottle…

Meanwhile, Arran’s sister distillery, Lagg, has released its first whisky. The peated Kilmory is matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and bottled at 46 percent ABV with no chill filtering. It’s available now through the Arran web site for £49.99 a bottle.

Douglas Laing and Company has released a new edition of its Timorous Beastie Highland blended malt. It’s finished in Port wine casks and kicks off the brand’s Cheese Cellar Collection of whiskies crafted to be paired with cheeses. In particular, this one is said to pair well with a Stilton. It’ll be available globally, and will carry a recommended retail price in the UK of £65 a bottle.

O’Shaughnessy Distilling in Minneapolis has released a cask-strength bottling of its Keepers Heart Irish whiskey and Bourbon blend. The blend brings together Irish Pot Still and grain whiskies from Great Northern Distilling in Ireland with four year old MGP Bourbon. It’s bottled at 58.5% ABV, and will carry a recommended retail price of $49.99 a bottle.

Nevada’s Frey Ranch is releasing what it calls a farm-strength uncut Bourbon using the same mashbill as the distillery’s award-winning Bourbon. It’s five years old and bottled at 62.1% ABV, and will be available at the distillery, online, and at retailers in California and Nevada for $79.99 a bottle.

Finally, it’s not a new whisky release, but Four Roses is marking the distillery’s 135th anniversary with a new tasting pack featuring all ten of the distillery’s recipes. It’s the first time all ten recipes have been available in one package, and comes with a QR code for a tutored online tasting with Master Distiller Brent Elliott. The pack costs $129.99 and will be available starting Friday at the Four Roses gift shops in Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek, Kentucky. In July, they’ll go on sale at select retailers in Kentucky, Georgia, Illinois, and California.

Published June 25, 2023