Located within the excessive desert of Fallon, Nevada, Frey Ranch Distillery is the place Colby Frey—self-proclaimed “whiskey farmer”—continues to redefine what it means to be actually farm-to-glass. In mid-July 2025, the distillery unveiled a milestone expression: Frey Ranch 5 Grain Single Barrel Bourbon, launching with two barrels — #3011 and #3016 (the latter reviewed right here).
This launch marks a primary for Frey Ranch—a bourbon crafted from all 5 of the grains grown on their property and mashed, fermented, distilled, and aged solely on-site. The mashbill contains 60% corn, 10% wheat, 10% rye, 10% malted barley, and, for the primary time, 10% oats.
Oats are notoriously difficult for distillers. Excessive in hull content material (round 60% by quantity) and low in starch, they will clog tools and decrease yield, making them a labor-intensive alternative. But, their addition brings a novel texture and taste complexity to the bourbon that units this single barrel aside.
The grains underwent a 72-hour fermentation in open-top tanks earlier than being distilled—first in a steady nonetheless at 40% abv, adopted by a second run by means of a pot nonetheless. The distillate was then put into 53-gallon barrels that includes a #4 char on the staves and a #3 char on the heads, coopered by Impartial Stave Firm and Barrel 53 of Higbee, Missouri.
After getting older for six years, 2 months, and 1.5 days within the Lahontan Valley, the bourbon was bottled at a potent 130.24 proof. Frey Ranch generously offered Drinkhacker with a pattern from barrel #3016 for overview.
Frey Ranch’s flagship four-grain bourbon has earned widespread respect, however this five-grain experiment raises the query: With the added complexity of working with oats, is the juice well worth the squeeze?
Frey Ranch 5 Grain Single Barrel Bourbon #3016 Assessment
The aroma opens with a scent that instantly brings to thoughts Weight loss program Ceremony White Grape soda from my childhood. It contains a crisp, barely bitter white grape character that’s clear and pronounced. This specific be aware triggered reminiscences of a drink I haven’t encountered a lot lately, as its recognition declined considerably over the previous decade and it was largely discontinued by 2022. The preliminary bitterness is rapidly offset by honeydew melon and the sweetness of cotton sweet. Because the bourbon interacts with air, a lightweight caramel sauce be aware rounds out the nostril.
Oats in bourbon usually contribute an earthy high quality, however right here the aroma is notably sweeter than anticipated and reveals little earthiness. On the palate, the affect of oats turns into extra evident, presenting as a toasted brown rice taste that blends with milk chocolate. Collectively, they create a powerful impression of a Nestlé Crunch sweet bar, which dominates earlier than shifting to a milder taste just like Tootsie Caramel Apple Pops, with the apple be aware carrying a slight tartness. The caramel apple character stays secondary to the stronger Nestlé Crunch profile.
Though the profile favors the Nestlé Crunch be aware, this imbalance isn’t problematic and works properly. The mouthfeel is medium-thick. The oat character turns into extra outstanding on the end by means of cinnamon granola, sweetened by real barrel-aged maple syrup—the sort that stays a bit skinny within the fridge, not like synthetic pancake syrup. The maple be aware is temporary, adopted by a closing trace of vanilla extract.
Frey Ranch 5 Grain Single Barrel Bourbon is properly value attempting. Few bourbons in the marketplace embrace oats for comparability, and that is simply the very best I’ve tasted. The one comparable instance I’ve encountered is a virtually seven-year-old barrel of Lee W. Sinclair, sampled whereas nonetheless within the cask in early 2024 at Spirits of French Lick with Alan Bishop by my aspect. Nonetheless, calling this bourbon a novelty can be deceptive—it holds its personal alongside extra conventional mashbills.
At $89 and 130.24 proof, it presents glorious worth and is a powerful addition to any bourbon assortment.
130.24 proof. Reviewed: Barrel #3016.
A- / $89
Frey Ranch 5 Grain Single Barrel Bourbon
USD89
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