Frey Ranch 6 Year Old Farm Strength Uncut Rye Whiskey Review

By David Levine

Rating: B+

Frey Ranch has long been a guilty pleasure of mine. Their whiskies are grain-forward in the sense that you know you’re drinking something made by people who, perhaps more than being distillers, are farmers first. In that vein, the Frey Ranch rye has a beautiful black licorice note that brings me back to my grandma’s house every single time.

Ashley and Colby Frey have only continued to grow, winning awards and adding age (and volume) to their core range. Between experimenting with malted grains, wheat and wheated mash bills, four-grain mash bills, and their Farm Strength releases, they’re keeping drinkers on their toes coming back for more.

They are also members of the Estate Whiskey Alliance at the University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute. Showcasing that they grow all their own grain on their own estate land. Members commit to supporting research and education in agriculture, manufacturing, and sustainability in whiskey: Frey Ranch does everything from growing the grain to malting on-site all the way through to distillation and maturation, ensuring every cask has the sense of place of Fallon, Nevada.

This 6-year-old rye is made from 100% Canadian Winter Rye, suited to the northern Nevada climate just south of Lake Tahoe where snow and ice are common sights in the winter. The notes I love in their original, core rye are still present, amped up by the extra year or two and the uncut proof (124.52).

Slainte!

The Whiskey
I do want to note that air helped this open up. At first, the nose was quite tight, not giving much beyond some dark herbs and black tea. Once the whiskey hits your tongue, the flavors explode, and when I went back to the nose after a few minutes it was much more fragrant and in line with the palate and finish. Understanding that not everyone will go back to the nose purposefully like I did, my rating takes into account only the initial nosing. Be careful – this drinks way below its proof.

Eye: Green tea. Thin rims, thin legs, and small droplets.

Nose: Woody and dark, herbaceous dark licorice, tarragon brightness and a touch of candied lemon. Black tea. Proof not immediately noticed, and the nose is tighter than expected from previous Frey Ranch experience.

Palate: Sweet tea with sugar and dark honey, black pepper smacking the tip and front third of my tongue. Black licorice sweetens into black spice drops approaching a cask-aged absinthe. Almost amaro-like in its texture, with a filling mouthfeel that simultaneously cools while not being overly hot from the proof. Drinks closer to 105, maybe 110 at most. Cigar smoke opens late with sweet red fruit.

Finish: Heavy black tea and dark honey, herbal without feeling medicinal (imagine a Ricola as a candy rather than a cough drop, in a good way). Black licorice backs down to play nicely with the other flavors. Medium length and coating.

The proof is quite under the printed levels and the profile is right in line with how I remember Frey Ranch’s rye to be. Darker, more herbaceous rye, not as focused on the spice element, with honey sweetness and black tea. It’s recognizable and delicious. The proof might be keeping the nose tight which limits the initial enjoyment, but if you’re willing to go back or give it a few minutes to open, it’ll reward you.

The Price
This is the first batch of Frey Ranch Farm Strength Rye, with only 1,800 bottles available. It is exclusively on their website for $79.99. More editions are sure to come – Frey Ranch’s products don’t stay on shelves or e-stores for long.