Nevada’s Frey Ranch Distillery Marks 10 Years With New Whiskey
Grain to glass distiller Frey Ranch is celebrating a decade of distilling and five generations of agricultural achievements with the launch of a new limited-edition whiskey aptly named the Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition. To commemorate this special milestone, co-founders Colby and Ashley Frey collaborated with one of the most renowned palates in whiskey – Master Blender Nancy Fraley – to handpick barrels that perfectly highlight the sustainable and slow grown grains cultivated and harvested exclusively on the Frey Ranch farm.
Featuring all five of the grains grown on-site at the farm, including non-GMO dent corn, winter wheat, winter rye, barley, and oat, the Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition (also known as “First Harvest”) is an American Whiskey carefully selected and expertly blended from Colby, Ashley, Nancy, and Frey Ranch Master Distiller Russell Wedlake’s favorite single barrels. To achieve this blend, this powerhouse whiskey team tasted more than 100 barrels and 14 different mash bills to ensure that the final expression showcases the Frey Ranch grains while also shining a spotlight on the whiskey inside the bottle. The resulting mash bill is truly unique, including 71.2% winter rye, 9.3% soft white winter wheat, a 10.5% blend representing 66.6% corn, 10% wheat, 12% malted barley and 11.4% oat, and a 9% blend representing 66.6% corn, 11.4% rye, 12% malted barley and 10% oat.
“As farmers first and foremost, the Harvester Series is a culmination of more than 170 years of growing the highest quality grains on our family farms in Northern Nevada. We’re excited to launch this new series starting with our Anniversary Edition – or what we are affectionately referring to as First Harvest, as this is the first Harvester release. Collaborating with Nancy (Fraley) on our anniversary liquid was honestly a career highlight. She brings so much knowledge and passion, and really pushed us in an interesting direction,” said Co-Founder and Whiskey Farmer Colby Frey.
At 121.14 proof and featuring whiskey as old as seven and ½ years, the Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition is a delectable collector’s item for Frey Ranch fans and whiskey aficionados. A delightfully balanced sipping whiskey that drinks like a deconstructed s’more, the nose presents hints of butterscotch and oatmeal raisin cookie with cinnamon graham cracker. On the palate, the entry is soft with a coating of confectionary sugar, which leads to a rich pop of custard and marshmallow that beautifully coats the mouth. The finish is long and lovely – starting with nutty milk chocolate and topping off the tasting experience with sweet and buttery Nevada Pinyon Pinenut.
“Frey Ranch is really doing something unique in the whiskey space by growing all their own grains. Provenance as it relates to grains will grow in importance for whiskey drinkers, as more consumers think about where their spirits are sourced, said Nancy Fraley. “What we’ve delivered with the first expression in the Harvester Series is a balanced, high proof whiskey where the grains are truly the star of the show,” Fraley continued.
With an SRP of $249.99, only 500 numbered bottles were released for sale through the distillery and select retailers in Nevada.
