​Nevada's Farm-to-Bottle Frey Ranch Bourbon Arrives in SoCal

(Image: Jeff Dow)

Frey Ranch Distillery introduced its flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey to Los Angeles and the greater Southern California area this spring. The Nevada-based farm and distillery’s signature whiskey has received critical acclaim since it was first released in December of 2019, earning 90 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available at retailers including Wally’s Wine & Spirits, La Vista Liquor, Mission Trails Wine & Spirits, amongst others in the region. It is also available online for nationwide shipping. 

(Image: provided)

Tucked away just east of the Sierras in Fallon, Nevada, Frey Ranch Distillery is proud to be one of only a few whiskey producers in the world to grow 100% of its grains on-site. The Frey family has a long history of farming in the region dating back to 1854, which lives on today through fifth-generation farmer Colby Frey, who started the distillery in 2006 with his wife and Co-founder, Ashley. From growing and harvesting grains to malting barley on-site, all the way through distillation and maturation, the Frey Ranch team is dedicated to crafting the highest quality whiskey, “from ground to glass™.” The family consider themselves stewards of the land and have long abided by the motto, “Be good to the land and the land will be good to you,” which is engraved on the bottom of each bottle of their whiskey.

(Image: Ruksana Hussain)

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is 100% sustainably grown, malted, distilled, matured, and bottled on the Frey Ranch property in Fallon, Nevada, for consistently high quality as a point of pride. Aged for an average of five years, this 90-proof bourbon has a mash bill of non-GMO corn, winter cereal rye, winter wheat, and two-row barley malted on-site, resulting in a flavorful bourbon that can easily be enjoyed on its own or in any whiskey-based cocktail.
Nose: Oak and citrus with hints of honey, burnt orange peel, and candied orange
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, dried mint, banana chips, candy corn, and dried hay with a long finish of cedar, pepper, and treacle.

(Image: provided)

Both Colby and Ashley Frey hosted a virtual tour of their fifth-generation family farm and distillery, plus a guided tasting and a cocktail demo with celebrated Los Angeles bartender. Jason Yu. The recipe was 1.5oz. Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon, 0.75oz. lemon juice, 0.5oz. honey syrup, and a dash of bitters. Of course, everything needed landed at my doorstep in a surprise package that contained the Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon, honey, lemon, bitters, and rocks glass along with some regional treats from the Fallon, NV, area. You bet I was ready with a cocktail shaker, jigger, and ice. Aside from a bottle of the signature Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon, rocks glass, honey made from bees at the ranch, Peychaud's aromatic cocktail bitters, and fresh lemons to make the drink, the selection of goodies included a 100% soy wax candle made from upcycled whiskey bottles, Dorinda's chocolate sea salt tasting bar, Sierra Nevada Ranch honey and jalapeño jerky, Lattin Farms cantaloupe jam,Mary's gone crackers and Telegraph Fallon french roast coffee.

(Image: Ruksana Hussain)

​And if you are feeling particularly indulgent then here’s an additional recipe from Yu. 
Grit + Grain 
2 oz Frey Ranch Bourbon
0.5 oz Stout Syrup* (The Stout Syrup is made as a 1:1 Stout to Sugar; works best with an Imperial or Dry Stout.)
3 dashes of Chocolate Bitters (omit if you don’t have)
5 drops of Saline (or a small pinch of salt)
Directions: Combine in rocks glass; stir.

(Image: Ruksana Hussain)