I have been impressed with all of the whiskeys that I have tasted from the Frey Ranch Distillery located in Fallon, Nevada. I received this bottle the other day and was very pleased with the flavors of this rye whiskey. Matt and I sat down and tasted it and decided to make it our whiskey of the month for January 2024. Here are our tasting notes.
Frey Ranch Distiller’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye
Proof: 122.4
Age: No Age Statement
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, molasses, pears, apricots, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, cardamom and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, caramel, raisins, pears, cardamom, cinnamon, and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the pear is enhanced and the spice becomes white pepper. Tasted with a pecan and the vanilla is enhanced and hints of milk chocolate and cherries come out.
- Matt: Caramel, lemon, strawberry, cardamom, and oak wood. The dried cranberry brought out notes of vanilla. The pecan brought out notes of chocolate.
Finish:
- Mike: Long with oak, spice and lingering caramel sweetness. The dried cranberry made the spice a nice white pepper spice. The pecan made the finish long and dry with oak and pepper.
- Matt: Medium long with vanilla, spice and a hint of lemon. The dried cranberry made the finish spicy with cardamom and lemon. The pecan brought out notes of tobacco and lingering chocolate.
I would pair this fine whiskey with a Padron 1964 Anniversary cigar. I think the rich vanilla and tobacco notes of the smoke would enhance the vanilla and spice of the whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller