Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 2

In-Depth Review

Frey Ranch hails from an unlikely bourbon producing area – the state of Nevada. Not typically known for its distillery heritage, Frey Ranch, located 70 miles outside Reno, has embraced the unique geographical intricacies of northern Nevada to create this new 4-grain bourbon. And as a new producer, they seek to do things a bit differently. Frey Ranch is very proud to say that all of their ingredients, all of the grains used in their whiskey, are all proceed on their own farm – creating a truly farm to bottle experience where they can control every piece of the distilling process.

But after hearing a lot of negativities around these micro-distilleries popping up on liquor stores shelves, I was a little skeptical when I was first shown Frey Ranch. But after a few glowing reviews from the liquor store employees at Topline in Los Angeles, I decided to take the plunge. It is listed at 90 proof and non-chill filtered in order to retain all of its flavors and oils. This bottle comes from Batch 2 of their straight bourbon whiskey and remains their only current offering in the market. After starting with distribution only in Nevada, they have slowly moved into CA and other states. After becoming smitten with the beautiful bottle design, I couldn’t wait to see what the whiskey inside was like.

Age: Aged at least 4 years

ABV: 45%

Cask: New Charred Oak Casks

MSRP: $50

Distillery Name: Frey Ranch

Review Date: 6/3/21

Color: Dark chestnut

Nose: Starts off with white confectioner sugar, hints of perfume and rose water. It has a floral quality at first that then settles down into hazelnut and vanilla. The rye element of this 4-grain mash bill is more influential than I was expecting and brings notes of spearmint and pine to the table, adding a delicate and complex layer to the nose. Overall, the nose is crisp, light and refreshing.

Palate: On the palate, I immediately feel the rye influence coming through again – only without that rye spice. There is a sweet pine and evergreen quality about this, reminding me of a lower proof Pikesville. Then come the caramelized sugars, vanillas, notes of whipped butter and a touch of fruit. The front of the palate is quite soft and light, with more darker flavors coming in as it moves into the finish. The mouthfeel is creamy and soft, leaving an easy sipper that doesn’t bring much heat or spice, but comes ready with plenty of delicate flavors.  

Finish: Short to medium finish. The oak begins to show its face on the finish where it starts to dry out the sweet side of the palate. Hints of chocolate dried fruit also appear. The spice builds but never crescendos and maintains the soft and delicate approach that has flavors that punch above its weight and proof.

Final Thoughts: This 4-grain whiskey is a great showing from Frey Ranch. If this signals what’s to come from this small Nevada distillery, consider me sold. This whiskey has a great combination of delicate flavors, approachable palate, and a creamy mouthfeel that shows considerable maturity beyond its 4-year age. This is an adaptable whiskey – made to bridge the gap between the whiskey snob and the casual drinker. There are times where its youth does show, with some grain and cereal notes, but it’s never distracting. It’s an easy sipper that can challenge discernible palates without turning off the non-hardcore bourbon drinker. I can’t wait to see what else Frey Ranch can concoct up at their farm.

Score: 89